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Founder Resources

by Fahner Law PLLC

These resources are for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. Please consult a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.

Working with Lawyers

For many founders, working with lawyers is unfamiliar territory. You know you need legal support to protect your company, but you also want to avoid unnecessary costs and delays. At Fahner Law, we believe legal counsel should be a partner in your growth—practical, transparent, and efficient. This guide explains how to work with lawyers in a way that saves time, reduces costs, and builds trust with investors.

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Seed Financing

Early fundraising often happens before your company is ready for a full equity round. To bridge this stage, startups commonly use convertible notes or SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity). These instruments let you raise money quickly without negotiating a full valuation, making them ideal for friends-and-family, angel, or early seed rounds.

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Intellectual Property

Your brand, technology, and creative works are among your company’s most valuable assets. Investors and partners expect you to have clear ownership and strong protections in place. At Fahner Law, we help startups secure their intellectual property from day one—so you can focus on building your business without fear of disputes or lost value.

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Hiring

From your first employee to a growing workforce, hiring comes with important legal obligations. Getting it right protects your company from costly disputes, preserves your intellectual property, and ensures compliance with wage, hour, and employment laws. At Fahner Law, we help startups navigate the entire employee lifecycle so you can scale with confidence.

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Governance

Good governance is the backbone of a successful company. It keeps your business compliant, reduces risk, and builds trust with investors, employees, and partners. At Fahner Law, we help founders and boards put the right processes in place so you can focus on running your business while staying protected.

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Formation

Formation is the first step in your company’s life cycle. Done right, it protects you from personal liability, ensures your intellectual property is owned by the business, and sets you up to raise capital and grow. Done wrong, it can cause costly problems that may scare off investors or trigger founder disputes down the road.

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Exits

Selling your business or merging with another company is often the culmination of years of hard work. But the process can be complex, high-stakes, and time-consuming. At Fahner Law, we guide founders through every stage of an exit, helping you protect your interests, avoid pitfalls, and maximize value when the time comes.

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Equity Grants

Equity compensation is one of the most powerful tools available to startups. It allows you to attract and retain top talent, conserve cash, and align your team’s incentives with the long-term success of the company. At Fahner Law, we help founders design and implement equity programs that are both motivating and legally compliant.

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Equity Financings

Once your company has traction and is ready for venture capital, investors will expect a priced equity round—usually in the form of preferred stock. These financings set your company’s valuation, establish investor rights, and shape the governance of your business going forward.

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Dissolution

Sometimes the best decision is to bring a company to an orderly close. Dissolution doesn’t just mean “shutting the doors”—it’s a formal legal process that protects founders, directors, and members from future liability, while ensuring creditors and stakeholders are treated fairly.

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Diligence

Due diligence can feel overwhelming if you’re not prepared. Investors and acquirers will review every aspect of your company—corporate records, contracts, intellectual property, employee matters, and more. A clean diligence process not only speeds up transactions but also builds credibility and minimizes red flags.

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Compliance

Compliance may not be the most glamorous part of building a company, but it’s one of the most important. From securities filings to employment laws to record-keeping, staying compliant reduces risk, builds credibility, and keeps your company running smoothly.

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