Start your business the right way and structure your company to sell with our robust startup counsel services.
From classes of shares to trademark clearance and registration, forming a startup involves several important legal considerations. We can protect your company without the “legal stuff” getting in the way.
When starting a new company, having the right professional advisors can mean the difference between success and failure. On the legal side, this could be the difference between securing outside investment and getting passed over because your company isn’t properly structured – or the difference between building a recognizable brand and losing everything in trademark infringement litigation. The more you know, the better off you will be, and the more confidence you can have as you watch your business grow.
At Jiah Kim & Associates, we provide comprehensive legal services for startup companies. Whether you are just getting started and want to do things the right way, or you need to ensure that mistakes made previously do not lead to unnecessary consequences, we are your go-to resource for legal protection. We can help you make smart decisions about protecting your company, and we can do the heavy lifting for you so that you can stay focused on your business priorities.
Why Startup Counsel?
Startup companies face unique issues – not only in terms of legal compliance generally, but within the specific context of business and intellectual property (IP) law. If you want to make sure your business and personal assets are secure, you need a lawyer who has specific experience in the startup realm. At Jiah Kim & Associates, not only do we routinely counsel startups, but we are entrepreneurs ourselves. We understand the issues from both the legal and business points of view, and we craft practical solutions that efficiently and cost-effectively meet our clients’ needs.
“Jiah is very detail-oriented and client-focused. She takes the time to understand the people she works with in a world when many service providers gruffly focus on their own skills, rather than what the client needs.” – Andrew H.
What Legal Services Does Your Startup Need?
If you are like most startup founders, you have an idea of some of the issues involved in starting a business, but you recognize that there is plenty about the legal system that you don’t know. When it comes to legal exposure, uncertainty can be your greatest enemy. We can take the uncertainty out of the equation by helping you understanding your startup’s needs with regard to issues such as:
- Choice of business entity
- Structuring ownership rights
- Trademark clearance and registration
- Copyright and patent licensing
- Hiring employees and independent contractors
- Contract drafting and negotiation
- Data security compliance
- Privacy Policies and Terms of Use
- Business licenses and permits
- Cross-border legal considerations
- Business and personal asset protection
- Succession planning and exit strategies
Q&A with Startup Attorney Jiah Kim
Q: If I’m just in the startup phase, do I really need to hire an attorney?
Yes, without question. If you are starting a company, this necessarily means that you have big goals. In order to achieve those goals, you need to make sure that you are in a legal position to do so. If you don’t structure your corporation or limited liability company (LLC) properly, if you choose a trademark you can’t legally use, or if you set up your online presence in a way that violates domestic or international data privacy laws, you are setting yourself up for unnecessary costs and potential failure.
Q: Can’t I just form a corporation or LLC online?
While there are plenty of “online service providers” that will help you fill out the basic forms needed to start a generic corporation or LLC, the reality is that your business entity needs to be as unique as your business idea. Lawyers still exist for a reason, and it is because they can provide the advice, insights, and guidance needed to maximize your legal protection.
Q: What if I don’t know what I need?
If you don’t know what you need, that is 100% okay. You are not supposed to be a legal expert, and we don’t expect you to come to us knowing exactly what questions to ask. We will provide you with a thorough assessment of your startup’s legal exposure, and we can help you choose between ad hoc services or one of our growth counsel plans.
Q: I want more information before I decide. Can you point me toward some free resources?
Our blog provides a wealth of information for startup founders in the U.S. and abroad. For an introduction to some of the most-common legal issues facing entrepreneurs, we encourage you to read:
- 9 Things to Be Careful About When Outsourcing Software Development as a Startup
- 10 Legal Docs Every Startup Founder Needs To Know About
- 10 Legal Mistakes Every Startup Founder (Probably 99%) Makes
- Startup Guide: How to Structure Your Company for Outside Investment
- Startup Guide: How to Prepare to Sell Your Company in a Few Years
Contact Us to Discuss Your Startup’s Legal Needs
If you would like to discuss your startup’s legal needs, please contact us to arrange a free initial consultation. To speak with attorney Jiah Kim in confidence, please call (646) 389-5065 or schedule an appointment online now.