Employment

Our Employment Services

Discover how we structure employment agreements, from offer letters to termination packages. Get expert guidance on compliance, incentives, and HR policies so you can scale your team with confidence.

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Services

Employment Services we offer

Build your team with confidence. From offer letters and employment agreements to contractor classifications and severance packages, we draft, review, and negotiate terms that protect your company, keep you compliant, and support long-term growth.

Employment
Scale your dispersed team and corporate culture in compliance with state-by-state and international employment laws.
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SERVICES
Offer Letter
$800
Employment

Offer Letter

$800
Extend employment offers with clarity, compliance, and professionalism.

We create tailored offer letters that clearly outline employment terms—such as compensation, benefits, at-will status, and key role details—while ensuring adherence to relevant federal and state regulations. This service enables you to formalize offers confidently and minimizes misunderstandings during the hiring process.

Scope of Work
  • Draft Offer Letter tailored to the position, compensation structure, and jurisdiction
  • Consultation with Client via phone/email to address relevant employment terms, compliance obligations, and onboarding considerations
  • Finalize Offer Letter for execution and circulation for e-signature
Employment Termination
$900
Employment

Employment Termination

$900
Handle employee separations confidently and compliantly with clear documentation and process.

We prepare tailored termination materials that ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws while maintaining professionalism and minimizing risk. This service helps you conclude employment relationships smoothly and consistently, protecting your business and supporting a respectful offboarding experience.

Scope of Work
  • Draft Termination Letter and any required state-specific notices
  • Consultation with Client via phone/email to address relevant compliance, timing, and communication considerations
  • Finalize Termination Letter for implementation and circulate for e-signature
Severance Agreement
$1,400
Employment

Severance Agreement

$1,400
Conclude employment relationships cleanly and compliantly while protecting your business interests.

We prepare customized severance agreements that balance compliance, clarity, and professionalism—helping you manage employee transitions confidently. Each agreement addresses release of claims, confidentiality, and other key terms, ensuring your company remains protected while maintaining a fair and respectful offboarding process.

Scope of Work
  • Draft a Severance Agreement tailored to the Client’s specific employment separation
  • Consult with the Client via phone or email to discuss relevant severance terms, release provisions, and compliance considerations
  • Finalize the Severance Agreement for signing and circulate for e-signature
Independent Contractor / Consultant / Advisor Agreement
$1,400
Employment

Independent Contractor / Consultant / Advisor Agreement

$1,400
Engage independent professionals with clarity, compliance, and confidence.

We draft customized agreements for independent contractors, consultants, and advisors that define deliverables, compensation, and intellectual property ownership. This service ensures your business relationships are clearly structured, compliant, and aligned with your operational goals.

Scope of Work
  • Draft Independent Contractor / Consultant / Advisor Agreement tailored to Client’s engagement, deliverables, and compensation structure
  • Consultation with Client via phone/email to address relevant classification, IP ownership, confidentiality, and compliance considerations
  • Finalize Agreement for execution and circulation for e-signature
Employment Agreement
$1,400
Employment

Employment Agreement

$1,400
Hire confidently with clear, compliant employment terms that protect your business.

We prepare tailored employment agreements that define responsibilities, compensation, confidentiality, and termination terms—ensuring clarity for both employer and employee. This service helps you establish strong working relationships and reduce the risk of future disputes.

Scope of Work
  • Draft Employment Agreement tailored to the specific role, compensation structure, and jurisdiction
  • Consultation with Client via phone/email to address relevant terms, including employment classification, confidentiality, and compliance requirements
  • Finalize Employment Agreement for execution and circulation for e-signature
Employee Handbook
$3,500
Employment

Employee Handbook

$3,500
Establish clear policies and culture with a compliant, customized Employee Handbook.

We create a tailored Employee Handbook that reflects your company’s policies, values, and operational needs while maintaining compliance with federal and state employment laws. This service helps you set expectations, communicate standards, and protect your business through consistent and well-documented practices.

Scope of Work
  • Draft Employee Handbook customized to Client’s size, structure, and jurisdiction
  • Incorporate relevant policies on employment classification, benefits, conduct, leave, and discipline
  • Consultation with Client via phone/email to address relevant HR, compliance, and internal communication considerations
  • Finalize Handbook for distribution to employees and ongoing implementation
Employment Compliance Package
$6,000
Employment

Employment Compliance Package

$6,000
Build and maintain a compliant employment foundation that protects both your business and your onsite and remote/dispersed team.

We conduct a comprehensive compliance review of your employment framework—from policies and documentation to agreements and classification—to identify risks and ensure alignment with current federal and state employment laws. This service helps you maintain a consistent, compliant foundation that supports your people and operations.

Scope of Work
  • Review and audit employment policies, procedures, and documentation for compliance
  • Evaluate offer letters, employment agreements, and independent contractor classifications
  • Review severance agreements, termination processes, and related documentation
  • Draft or revise employment documents and policies to align with compliance standards
  • Consultation with Client via phone/email to address relevant employment and compliance matters
  • Finalize updated materials for implementation and employee distribution

Our Employment Offerings Guide

Hiring is one of the biggest milestones for any startup — but it’s also one of the riskiest. From compliant offer letters and equity grants to contractor agreements and handbooks, we help you set clear expectations, avoid legal pitfalls, and build a culture that lasts.
Offer Letter Signed
Attached: Employee agreement stored in personnel files.
Onboarding Kickoff
4:00PM EST – Thursday
Slack Message
Thanks for turning around our offer so quickly — our new hire starts next week!

Related Resources

Non-Solicitation Clauses Explained

Employment

When an employee leaves your startup, there’s always a risk they’ll try to take your people or customers with them. That’s where non-solicitation clauses come in - they’re a powerful, often enforceable tool to protect your business after key team members depart.

Should Startups Use Non-Compete Clauses? Here’s What Founders Need to Know

Employment

In the fast-moving startup world, it’s natural to want protection against former employees joining a competitor. That’s why non-compete clauses have been popular for years. But the legal landscape is changing - raising real questions about whether they’re enforceable, useful, or even worth including.

Employment Agreements vs. Independent Contractor Agreements: What Founders Should Know

Employment

Startups often rely on both employees and independent contractors. But these are legally distinct relationships - and using the wrong type of agreement can create serious legal and financial risks. Misclassification can lead to tax penalties, lawsuits, and regulatory violations, especially in strict states like California and New York.

Severance Agreements for Startups: What You Need to Know

Employment

Letting an employee go - especially in a small team - isn’t easy. But how you handle the exit can shape everything from your company’s reputation to your legal exposure. That’s where severance agreements come in.

Offer Letters for Startups: What Founders Need to Know

Employment

Hiring your first employees is an exciting milestone. But it’s not enough to agree on salary with a handshake. A clear, well-drafted offer letter sets expectations, outlines key terms, and helps reduce the risk of misunderstandings later.

Fired or Quit? Why It Matters Legally for Your Startup

Employment

When someone leaves your company, founders often want to just “move on” - but whether the departure was voluntary or involuntary has lasting legal and financial consequences. From unemployment claims to final pay rules, the details matter.

Employee Termination for Startups: What Founders Need to Know

Employment

Firing an employee is one of the most difficult parts of running a startup. Whether due to performance issues, role redundancy, or a strategic shift, termination is not only a business decision but also a legal one. If handled poorly, it can lead to lawsuits, damage team morale, and affect your ability to attract future hires.

Exempt v. Nonexempt Employees: Main Differences Explained

Employment

Not all employees are treated the same under wage and hour laws. One of the biggest distinctions? Whether someone is exempt or nonexempt. Misclassification is a common startup mistake - with costly consequences.

Building Your Team Right: Effective Startup Onboarding Essentials

Employment

You’ve made your first hire - congrats! Now what? Onboarding isn’t just about handing over a laptop. It’s your chance to set expectations, build culture, and cover legal bases. Here’s how to do it right from day one.

Contractor or Employee? A Startup Founder's Decision Guide

Employment

Startups thrive on flexibility, and independent contractors often feel like the perfect solution. But the distinction between contractor and employee carries real legal weight. Get it wrong, and your company could face IRS audits, back taxes, wage penalties, and even personal liability.

Startup Compensation Strategy: Best Practices and Pitfalls for Founders

Employment

When your startup is strapped for cash and focused on growth, compensation can feel like a puzzle. But how you pay yourself and your team sends a signal - to investors, regulators, and employees. Done wrong, it can cause legal headaches, tax issues, and cultural tension. Here's how to navigate early-stage compensation the smart way.

Legal Essentials: Employment Law Fundamentals for Startup Founders

Employment

When you’re building a startup, employment law may not be your first priority - but it should be close to the top of your list. Mistakes in hiring, classifying, compensating, or terminating employees can trigger lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage. Here’s a practical guide to the employment law issues every founder should get right from day one.

Most startups mess up hiring and employment compliance.


You're unsure about offer letters, employment agreements, and contractor classifications.


You're worried about employee handbooks, terminations, and staying compliant with labor laws.


You're risking costly disputes and penalties because you're building HR processes on the fly.


We get it, which is why we build comprehensive employment playbooks so you can hire slow and fire fast with peace of mind.

Your Employment Advantage

Clear Hiring Agreements

Protect your team with compliant, enforceable offer letters and agreements that reduce risk from day one.

Long-Term Security

Future-proof your employment foundation by balancing compliance with growth so you can scale without setbacks.

Power in Negotiations

Secure favorable terms in employee, contractor, and advisor agreements.
Schedule a Consultation

Hear what clients have to say:

“@VirtualCounsel is also strategic in terms of helping us to think about our risks in a different way, and some of those other risks and opportunities that I may not be thinking of . . .

They help me manage downside, think through opportunities in detail, organize our employees, and structure everything in a smart and effective way.”

Digital is our default

We know that today's clients are technologically sophisticated and expect the same from their service providers. We leverage technology to streamline communication, keep projects organized and make our workflow as efficient as possible.
Loom
Slack
Google Drive
Gusto
Google Meet
Basecamp
Zoom
Carta
Loom
Slack
Google Drive
Gusto
Google Meet
Basecamp
Zoom
Carta
Loom
Slack
Google Drive
Gusto
Google Meet
Basecamp
Zoom
Carta

Get Employment Agreements Right from the Start

Missteps in hiring and employment law can be costly. We ensure your contracts, policies, and equity plans are drafted to meet legal requirements, reduce disputes, and give you confidence as you scale.