Working with Lawyers

When to Call Your Lawyer

When in doubt, call your lawyer. That being said, not every business decision requires a lawyer. Some milestones certainly do:

• Formation: Incorporating, founder stock, and IP assignments.
• Hiring: Offer letters, confidentiality agreements, and equity grants.
• Fundraising: SAFEs, notes, preferred stock financings, and securities compliance.
• Contracts: Strategic customers, partnerships, or licensing deals.
• Exits: Acquisitions, mergers, or secondary sales.
• Disputes: Demand letters, employment issues, or regulatory inquiries.

Calling early can prevent small issues from becoming expensive problems later.

How to Work Efficiently

Lawyers bill for time and expertise, but you can control costs with preparation and process:

• Come prepared: Gather relevant documents, outline your questions, and know your goals before the call.
• Bundle questions: It’s more efficient to handle three questions in one call than in three separate emails.
• Use summaries: After discussions, recap decisions and action items in writing for alignment.
• Stay organized: Keep your corporate records, cap table, and contracts in one place to avoid repeated searches.

Common Startup Legal Myths

• “I can just use online forms.” Free templates often miss critical terms investors expect. Cleaning them up later costs more than doing it right the first time.
• “I’ll fix my records when we raise money.” By then, fixes are harder, more expensive, and can spook investors.
• “Legal is only for big decisions.” Even small equity grants, contracts, or filings can create major diligence problems if mishandled.

Pricing: Flat Fees vs. Hourly

We understand cost predictability is critical for startups. That’s why Fahner Law offers:

• Flat-fee packages for common startup needs like formation, equity plans, and financings.
• Hourly support for bespoke work like complex negotiations, M&A, or regulatory issues.

This hybrid approach keeps costs predictable while ensuring you always have the right level of support.

Building a Long-Term Relationship

Good legal counsel is not just a one-off service—it’s a long-term advantage:

• Investor Confidence: Funds prefer companies represented by trusted counsel.
• Speed: A lawyer familiar with your company’s history can move faster and spot risks more effectively.
• Proactivity: Regular check-ins prevent costly “fire drills” before financings or exits.

‍Do I really need a lawyer as a startup?
Yes. Most investor diligence issues stem from legal mistakes made early. Clean records from the start save time and money later.

How do I keep costs down?
Be organized, consolidate questions, and use flat-fee packages when available.

Can’t I just use free templates?
You can—but most will be rejected or rewritten by counterparties, investors and acquirers. That means wasted time and higher costs later.

What makes Fahner Law different?
We’re founder-focused. Our flat-fee packages, practical advice, and startup experience ensure your legal work is efficient, investor-ready, and aligned with your business goals.