How a Business Hired a Lawyer to Review an Equity Compensation Agreement in California

In 2025, a business in California posted a project seeking assistance with an equity compensation agreement. The client required an experienced attorney to conduct a thorough review of an Option Cancellation Agreement connected to a corporate acquisition, with a focus on protecting economic and tax interests. Key concerns included ensuring compliance with Section 409A, safeguarding against the forfeiture of underwater options without fair consideration, and addressing the need for spousal consent while limiting overly broad clauses. As a result, the client received one proposal from a licensed attorney, with a flat fee bid of $650, submitted to meet the deadline of less than a week.