About Chicago SAFE Agreement Lawyers
Our Chicago startup lawyers help businesses and individuals with their legal needs. A few of the major industries that represent Illinois's economy include business services, exporting, and manufacturing.
Our platform has lawyers that specialize in safe agreements. SAFE agreements are legal contracts that startups use to raise seed financing capital and similar to a warrant. Click here to learn their 5 key parts (2023). ContractCounsel’s approach makes legal services affordable by removing unnecessary law firm overhead.
Meet some of our Chicago SAFE Agreement Lawyers
Zachary J.
I am a solo-practitioner with a practice mostly consisting of serving as a fractional general counsel to growth stage companies. With a practical business background, I aim to bring real-world, economically driven solutions to my client's legal problems and pride myself on efficient yet effective work.
Michael M.
www.linkedin/in/michaelbmiller I am an experienced contracts professional having practiced nearly 3 decades in the areas of corporate, mergers and acquisitions, technology, start-up, intellectual property, real estate, employment law as well as informal dispute resolution. I enjoy providing a cost effective, high quality, timely solution with patience and empathy regarding client needs. I graduated from NYU Law School and attended Rutgers College and the London School of Economics as an undergraduate. I have worked at top Wall Street firms, top regional firms and have long term experience in my own practice. I would welcome the opportunity to be of service to you as a trusted fiduciary. In 2022 I was the top ranked attorney on the Contract Counsel site based upon number of clients, quality of work and top reviews.
Rene H.
I am an attorney licensed in both California and Mexico. I offer a unique blend of 14 years of legal expertise that bridges the gap between diverse legal landscapes. My background is enriched by significant roles as in-house counsel for global powerhouses such as Anheuser-Busch, Campari Group, and Grupo Lala, alongside contributions to Tier 1 law firms. I specialize in navigating the complexities of two pivotal areas: AI/Tech Innovation: With a profound grasp of both cutting-edge transformer models and foundational machine learning technologies, I am your go-to advisor for integrating these advancements into your business. Whether it's B2B or B2C applications, I ensure that your company harnesses the power of AI in a manner that's not only enterprise-friendly but also fully compliant with regulatory standards. Cross-Border Excellence: My expertise extends beyond borders, with over a decade of experience facilitating cross-border operations for companies in more than 20 countries. I am particularly adept at enhancing US-Mexico operations, ensuring seamless and efficient business transactions across these territories.
Talin H.
Talin has over a decade of focused experience in business and international law. She is fiercely dedicated to her clients, thorough, detail-oriented, and gets the job done.
Melissa G.
My name is Melissa “Mel” Green and I provide legal counsel to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses that is clear, concise, and focused on the practical impact of decisions. As trusted legal counsel, I proactively identify risks, and develop effective, practical solutions that protect my clients businesses, create positive outcomes, and help mitigate legal exposure. My areas of expertise include business formation, contract law/commercial transactions, healthcare law, and intellectual property. I also provide services as an outside general counsel or “fractional general counsel”. Prior to starting my own law firm, I spent the majority of my career in-house at large and small corporations, both for profit and not-for-profit, working with senior and executive management, in addition to other stakeholders at a variety of management levels. to proactively identify and address risks, mitigate legal exposure, streamline processes, lead persuasive negotiations that are integral to ensuring positive outcomes for the organization, and deliver hands-on, spectacular client service. There came a time when I realized that individuals and smaller entities were not receiving the same level of legal support and guidance as mid-size to large companies and as a result, individuals and small businesses were not growing and sustaining on the same level. I wanted to use my expertise to provide those that were underserved by the legal market with competent counsel at an affordable price. With the increasing number of new businesses, I knew that I could make a difference to those that needed legal guidance but were putting it off in fear of “Big Law” prices. I love to “partner” with my clients, get a deep understanding of their business, develop lasting professional relationships and watch them prosper. I want to find a way to help my clients maximize the reach, value and impact of their business. Services that I have provided over the course of my career: (i) reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements (leases, MSAs and SOWs, consulting services agreements, confidentiality agreements, SaaS agreements, coaching agreements, independent contractor agreements, coaching agreements, photographer agreements, waivers and releases, licensing agreements, etc.), (ii) business formation (operating agreements, written consents, bylaws, etc.), (iii) preparing policies and procedures for businesses in highly regulated industries, (iv) conducting federal trademark searches and filing trademark applications/preparing trademark opinion letters after conducting appropriate legal research, and (v) general business counsel.
Daliah S.
Daliah Saper operates a cutting-edge internet and social media law practice that regularly leads local and national media outlets to solicit her commentary on emerging internet law issues involving cyberbullying, sexting, catfishing, revenge porn, anonymous online defamation, domain name and user-name squatting, privacy, and the latest business decisions made by social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. As a litigator Daliah represents companies bringing or defending business and intellectual property disputes. (She has argued cases in a number of jurisdictions including taking a case all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court.) As a transactional lawyer she helps clients choose the right business entity, drafts contracts and licensing agreements, advises on sweepstakes and contest rules, and ensures website terms of use and privacy policies are compliant, and provides comprehensive trademark and copyright counseling. Since founding Saper Law Offices in 2005, Daliah has been named a 40 Under 40 by Law Bulletin Publishing Co., a top Media & Advertising attorney by Super Lawyers Magazine 14 years in a row, and has been repeatedly recognized as a leading media and entertainment lawyer by Chambers and Partners. For the past eleven years, she also has taught entertainment and social media law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Billy Joe M.
I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2006 with a degree in Political Science, Finance, and Economics. I stayed around Champaign for law school and graduated in 2009. I then worked at a big law firm in downtown Chicago. It was boring, so I quit in early 2011. I thought that I could not be happy practicing law - I was wrong. After I quit the traditional law firm life, I began representing my own clients. I realize now that I love helping normal people, small business owners, and non-profits address a variety of legal issues. I hope to hear from you.
T. Phillip B.
Attorney creating plans and strategies to help individuals create, build, protect and pass on wealth.
July 1, 2021
Daniel R.
Daniel is an experienced corporate attorney and works closely with corporations, privately held companies, high-net worth individuals, family offices, start-ups and entrepreneurs. Daniel graduated from the Gonzaga University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Illinois.
August 28, 2021
Gerald W.
My clients know me as more than just an attorney. First and foremost, my background is much broader than that. Prior to attending the Valparaiso University School of Law, I earned a Master of Business Administration and ran a small business as a certified public accountant. Thanks to this experience, I possess unique insight which in turn allows me to better assist my clients with a wide range of business and tax matters today. In total, I have over 20 years of experience in financial management, tax law, and business consulting, and I’m proud to say that I’m utilizing the knowledge I’ve gained to assist the community of Round Rock in a variety of ways. In my current practice, I provide counsel to small to medium-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations, and everyday individuals. Though my primary areas of practice are estate planning, elder law, business consulting, and tax planning, I pride myself on assisting my clients in a comprehensive manner. Whenever I take on a new client, I make an effort to get to know them on a personal level. This, of course, begins with listening. It is important that I fully understand their vision so I can help them successfully translate it into a concrete plan of action that meets their goals and expectations. I appreciate the individual attributes of each client and know firsthand that thoughtful, creative, and customized planning can maximize both financial security and personal happiness. During my time as a certified public accountant, I cultivated an invaluable skill set. After all, while my legal education has given me a deep understanding of tax law, I would not be the tax attorney I am today without my background in accounting. Due to my far-reaching experience, I am competent in unraveling even the most complex tax mysteries and disputes. My CPA training benefits my estate planning practice, too. In the process of drafting comprehensive wills and trusts, I carefully account for every asset and plan for any tax burdens that may arise, often facilitating a much smoother inheritance for the heirs of my clients. Prior to becoming certified as a CPA, I made sure to establish a solid foundation in business both in and out of the classroom, and the acumen I’ve attained has served me well. Not only am I better able to run my own practice than I otherwise would be; I am able to help other small business owners fulfill their dreams, as well.
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Browse Lawyers NowFind SAFE Note Template by Types
A Post-Money SAFE Note is a financial instrument used by startups and investors in early-stage funding. It's an agreement that provides investors the right to purchase equity in the company at a future date, typically during a future equity financing round, sale, or IPO.
The terms "Post-Money" refer to the valuation of the company after the current round of financing. This means the valuation would take into account the money invested in the financing round. For example, if the company receives a valuation of $10 million to raise $2 million, the "Pre-Money" valuation is $10 million and "Post-Money" valuation is $12 million (includes the money from the financing round).
- Discount: This is a feature that gives investors a discounted price compared to what later investors pay in a future financing round. For example, if a SAFE note carries a 20% discount and the price per share in the next funding round is $1.00, the SAFE holder would be able to convert their investment into equity at $0.80 per share. This discount compensates early investors for their higher risk.
- Valuation Cap: The valuation cap is a maximum valuation at which the SAFE can convert into equity. This protects investors from over-dilution if the company's valuation increases significantly before the SAFE converts. For example, if a SAFE has a valuation cap of $5 million and the company's valuation in the next funding round is $10 million, the SAFE holder’s investment converts as if the company was valued at only $5 million, offering more shares for the same investment compared to later investors.
A Pre-Money SAFE Note is a financial instrument used by startups and investors in early-stage funding. It's an agreement that provides investors the right to purchase equity in the company at a future date, typically during a future equity financing round, sale, or IPO.
The terms "Pre-Money" refer to the valuation of the company before the current round of financing. This means the valuation would not take into account the money invested in the financing round. For example, if the company receives a valuation of $10 million to raise $2 million, the "Pre-Money" valuation is $10 million and "Post-Money" valuation is $12 million (includes the money from the financing round).
- Valuation Cap: The valuation cap is a maximum valuation at which the SAFE can convert into equity. This protects investors from over-dilution if the company's valuation increases significantly before the SAFE converts. For example, if a SAFE has a valuation cap of $5 million and the company's valuation in the next funding round is $10 million, the SAFE holder’s investment converts as if the company was valued at only $5 million, offering more shares for the same investment compared to later investors.
A Post-Money SAFE Note is a financial instrument used by startups and investors in early-stage funding. It's an agreement that provides investors the right to purchase equity in the company at a future date, typically during a future equity financing round, sale, or IPO.
The terms "Post-Money" refer to the valuation of the company after the current round of financing. This means the valuation would take into account the money invested in the financing round. For example, if the company receives a valuation of $10 million to raise $2 million, the "Pre-Money" valuation is $10 million and "Post-Money" valuation is $12 million (includes the money from the financing round).
- Discount: This is a feature that gives investors a discounted price compared to what later investors pay in a future financing round. For example, if a SAFE note carries a 20% discount and the price per share in the next funding round is $1.00, the SAFE holder would be able to convert their investment into equity at $0.80 per share. This discount compensates early investors for their higher risk.
- Valuation Cap: The valuation cap is a maximum valuation at which the SAFE can convert into equity. This protects investors from over-dilution if the company's valuation increases significantly before the SAFE converts. For example, if a SAFE has a valuation cap of $5 million and the company's valuation in the next funding round is $10 million, the SAFE holder’s investment converts as if the company was valued at only $5 million, offering more shares for the same investment compared to later investors.
A SAFE Note is a financial instrument used by startups and investors in early-stage funding. It's an agreement that provides investors the right to purchase equity in the company at a future date, typically during a future equity financing round, sale, or IPO. Given this SAFE Note has no valuation cap included, it does not need to reference "Pre-Money" or "Post-Money" since the valuation at the triggering event will not impact the price the investors shares are converted. It will only be converted at the discount.
- Discount: This is a feature that gives investors a discounted price compared to what later investors pay in a future financing round. For example, if a SAFE note carries a 20% discount and the price per share in the next funding round is $1.00, the SAFE holder would be able to convert their investment into equity at $0.80 per share. This discount compensates early investors for their higher risk.
A Pre-Money SAFE Note is a financial instrument used by startups and investors in early-stage funding. It's an agreement that provides investors the right to purchase equity in the company at a future date, typically during a future equity financing round, sale, or IPO.
The terms "Pre-Money" refer to the valuation of the company before the current round of financing. This means the valuation would not take into account the money invested in the financing round. For example, if the company receives a valuation of $10 million to raise $2 million, the "Pre-Money" valuation is $10 million and "Post-Money" valuation is $12 million (includes the money from the financing round).
- Discount: This is a feature that gives investors a discounted price compared to what later investors pay in a future financing round. For example, if a SAFE note carries a 20% discount and the price per share in the next funding round is $1.00, the SAFE holder would be able to convert their investment into equity at $0.80 per share. This discount compensates early investors for their higher risk.
- Valuation Cap: The valuation cap is a maximum valuation at which the SAFE can convert into equity. This protects investors from over-dilution if the company's valuation increases significantly before the SAFE converts. For example, if a SAFE has a valuation cap of $5 million and the company's valuation in the next funding round is $10 million, the SAFE holder’s investment converts as if the company was valued at only $5 million, offering more shares for the same investment compared to later investors.
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ContractsCounsel User
SAFE note review
Location: Illinois
Turnaround: Over a week
Service: Contract Review
Doc Type: SAFE Note
Page Count: 6
Number of Bids: 10
Bid Range: $325 - $1,150
ContractsCounsel User
Safe note for an exciting Professional Sports and Entertainment Company
Location: Illinois
Turnaround: Over a week
Service: Drafting
Doc Type: SAFE Note
Number of Bids: 6
Bid Range: $950 - $3,500
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