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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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
Employment Termination Package
$900
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Employment

Employment Termination Package

$900

Handle employee separations with confidence using our Employment Termination Package. This service includes drafting a termination letter and any required state-specific notices tailored to the circumstances, a half-hour consultation to address your questions and ensure compliance, finalizing the letter, and circulating it for e-signature.

For added value, we offer 20% off hourly billing for any additional turns of the document(s) or consultations and/or negotiations with client and/or third parties needed beyond the included scope.

Scope of Work
  • Draft Letter and State-Specific Notices
  • Half (0.5) Hour Consultation
  • Finalize Letter
  • Circulate Letter for E-Signature
Schedule a Consultation
Resources on Employment
Employment Agreement
$1,200
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Employment

Employment Agreement

$1,200

Set the foundation for successful hires with our Employment Agreement Package. We’ll create a tailored template version of the agreement and customize it for your specific hire, giving you a reusable resource for future use. This package includes drafting the Employment Agreement, a half-hour consultation to review key terms and ensure alignment with your goals, finalizing the agreement, and circulating it for e-signature.
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For added value, we offer 20% off hourly billing for any additional turns of the document(s) or consultations and/or negotiations with client and/or third parties needed beyond the included scope.

Scope of Work
  • Draft Employment Agreement
  • Half (0.5) Hour Consultation
  • Finalize Employment Agreement
  • Circulate Employment Agreement for E-Signature
Schedule a Consultation
Resources on Employment
Independent Contractor / Consultant / Advisor Agreement
$1,200
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Employment

Independent Contractor / Consultant / Advisor Agreement

$1,200

Simplify your business relationships with our Independent Contractor/Consultant/Advisor Agreement Package. Whether you need an agreement for a contractor, consultant, advisor, affiliate marketing arrangement, or revenue-sharing model, we tailor each document to suit your specific needs. This package includes drafting the agreement, a half-hour consultation to address key terms and business goals, finalizing the document, and circulating it for e-signature.
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For added value, we offer 20% off hourly billing for any additional turns of the document(s) or consultations and/or negotiations with client and/or third parties needed beyond the included scope.

Scope of Work
  • Draft Agreement
  • Half (0.5) Hour Consultation
  • Finalize Agreement
  • Circulate Employment Agreement for E-Signature
Schedule a Consultation
Resources on Employment
​​Severance Agreement
$1,200
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Employment

​​Severance Agreement

$1,200

Navigate employee transitions smoothly with our Severance Agreement Package. This service includes drafting a tailored severance agreement to meet your specific needs, a half-hour consultation to review terms and address any questions, finalizing the agreement, and circulating it for e-signature.
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For added value, we offer 20% off hourly billing for any additional turns of the document(s) or consultations and/or negotiations with client and/or third parties needed beyond the included scope.

Scope of Work
  • Draft Severance Agreement
  • Half (0.5) Hour Consultation
  • Finalize Severance Agreement
  • Circulate Severance Agreement for E-Signature
Schedule a Consultation
Resources on Employment
Employment Compliance Package
$6,000
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Employment

Employment Compliance Package

$6,000

Ensure your business is fully compliant with employment laws and best practices with our Employment Compliance Package. This state-specific service includes a comprehensive audit of your existing employment practices and procedures, covering key documents such as offer letters, employee handbooks, severance policies, employment agreements, contractor agreements, severance agreements, and termination packages. Based on the audit, we’ll draft or revise agreements and policies as needed to ensure compliance and alignment with your business goals. Additionally, we provide a payroll consultation to address any compliance or operational concerns.

For added value, we offer 20% off hourly billing for any additional turns of the document(s) or consultations and/or negotiations with client and/or third parties needed beyond the included scope.

Scope of Work
  • Audit Existing Employment Practices/Procedures
  • Analyze Offer Letter
  • Analyze Employee Handbook
  • Analyze Severance Policy
  • Analyze Employment Agreement
  • Analyze Contractor Agreement
  • Analyze Severance Agreement
  • Analyze Termination Package
  • Draft/Revise Agreements/Policies
  • Consultation re: Payroll
Schedule a Consultation
Resources on Employment

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.
Read the Guide
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Attached: Employee agreement stored in personnel files.
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Thanks for turning around our offer so quickly — our new hire starts next week!

Related Resources

Non-Solicitation Clauses Explained

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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.

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

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

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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.

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Severance Agreements for Startups: What You Need to Know

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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.

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Offer Letters for Startups: What Founders Need to Know

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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.

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Fired or Quit? Why It Matters Legally for Your Startup

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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.

Read More

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.

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Exempt v. Nonexempt Employees: Main Differences Explained

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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.

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Building Your Team Right: Effective Startup Onboarding Essentials

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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.

Read More

Contractor or Employee? A Startup Founder's Decision Guide

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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.

Read More

Startup Compensation Strategy: Best Practices and Pitfalls for Founders

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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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Most startups dread hiring a lawyer.


You’re afraid to reach out to your counsel for support because of high fees and slow turnaround.


You’re winging it and concerned about contracts, employees, liability, and overall fear of the unknown.


You're raising capital or developing equity compensation plans without the proper due diligence.


We get it, which is why we’re the evolution of the law firm.‍

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.
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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.
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Slack
Google Drive
Gusto
Google Meet
Basecamp
Zoom
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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.

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Secure Your Employment Strategy
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