Shareholders & Governance
The agreements and governance frameworks you put in place when your company is small determine how it operates when it's big. We help you build structures that scale.
Governance disputes are among the most common — and most destructive — legal crises that growing companies face. A co-founder who disagrees about the company's direction. A major shareholder who wants to block a deal. A board that can't reach consensus on a key decision. These conflicts are often resolved in the boardroom or the courtroom, and which one depends almost entirely on the quality of your governance documents.
Shareholder & Member Agreements
A well-drafted shareholder agreement (or operating agreement for an LLC) is the constitution of your company. It governs how decisions are made, what happens when shareholders disagree, what rights each class of equity carries, transfer restrictions, rights of first refusal, drag-along and tag-along rights, and what happens when a founder or key owner leaves the business. We draft these agreements to protect every party and to anticipate the disputes that most companies eventually face.
Equity Compensation & Vesting
Attracting and retaining great people requires equity. We help companies design and implement equity compensation plans — including stock option plans (ISOs and NSOs), restricted stock agreements, profits interests for LLCs, and phantom equity plans. Vesting schedules (typically 4-year with a 1-year cliff) are critical to ensuring that equity rewards those who stay and contribute to the company's success.
Board of Directors & Advisory Boards
As companies grow and take on investors, the composition and role of the board of directors becomes increasingly important. We help companies structure their boards, draft board resolutions and minutes, create advisory board agreements, and navigate the fiduciary duties that directors owe to the company and its shareholders.
Authoritative Resources
Governance That Protects Everyone
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your company's governance needs.