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What Is General Counsel and Why Do Startups Need It?
GeneralCounsel (GC) refers to a company’s primary legal advisor - the attorney orlegal team responsible for managing legal, governance, and compliance mattersthat impact the whole business. In a startup, a GC helps founders balance riskand growth by providing legal strategy that aligns with business goals. Theyhelp ensure decisions are legally sound, corporate governance is in place, andregulatory obligations are met as the company scales.
Why Monthly Legal Subscriptions Are Replacing Traditional Law Firms
Over the past few years, businesses across the United States have started rethinking how they work with lawyers. The old model of hourly billing often created stress, unpredictability, and hesitation. Many companies waited to call their attorney until a problem became serious because they were worried about what the bill would look like later.
8 Legal Tips When You Start a Business
So you’ve decided to start a new business, time to make a to-do list. There are several important steps to complete to ensure that your business is properly established and meets legal requirements. We’re here to help make sure you get all your boxes checked off correctly.
FAQs
Open allYou risk fines, penalties, or lawsuits. For example, missing wage notices or payroll setup can trigger regulatory issues.
Before day one. Send documents and policies in advance so the employee begins with clarity and confidence.
At minimum, U.S. employees need an offer letter, I-9, W-4, and confidentiality/IP agreements. Some states require additional wage notices.
Yes. Even with a small team, onboarding helps establish culture, set expectations, and avoid compliance mistakes.
Contractors are best for short-term, specialized, or non-core projects. Employees are necessary for ongoing roles central to your business.
It creates legal and financial liabilities. Investors want clean workforce records to avoid unexpected tax or compliance risks.
No. Classification depends on the actual working relationship, not the job title or contract language.
Contractors control how they do their work and usually operate independently. Employees work under your direction and are integrated into your business.
They clarify compensation, benefits, and employment terms, reducing the risk of disputes and protecting the company legally.
Absolutely. Grants should be approved by the board, backed by a 409A valuation, and issued through a written equity plan.
Most startups use a 4-year vesting schedule with a 1-year cliff to ensure commitment and retention.
Yes, but it should be modest. Paying yourself something demonstrates value for your time, but it shouldn’t jeopardize the company’s survival.
Not entirely. Wrongful termination, discrimination, or retaliation claims are still possible. Document performance and follow fair processes.
You could face penalties, lawsuits, and government audits. Startups must track hours and pay overtime where required.
Yes. A handbook sets clear expectations and helps protect against legal claims, even for small teams.
Misclassifying employees as contractors or exempt workers can lead to back pay claims, penalties, and lawsuits.
You risk fines under laws like GDPR and CCPA, removal from app stores, and loss of user trust.
At least once a year, or whenever you change your data practices, adopt new tools, or when laws change.
A Privacy Policy explains how you handle user data. Terms of Service govern how users interact with your platform. Both are essential.
Yes. If you collect any personal data - emails, IP addresses, or cookies - you need one. Most app stores and ad networks also require it.