Lane Powell attorneys are skilled in handling the needs of start-up and rapidly growing ventures in industries as diverse as computer software and biotechnology to restaurants and retailers. Our emerging companies and venture investment team of attorneys also have considerable experience representing venture capital firms and other capital sources that finance these businesses.

Organization
We provide experienced counsel to start-ups on their appropriate legal structure, such as formation as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company. Our team assists with critical start-up concerns, such as:

• Alternative financing methods
• Tax consequences for the venture
• Compensation plans for executives and employees, including stock incentive plans
• Business plan review and evaluation
• Intellectual property and technology protection

Maintenance
Lane Powell attorneys give businesses skilled advice on business maintenance matters, including:

• Supply contracts
• Sales partners and distributors
• Employment agreements
• General personnel matters
• Corporate formalities, such as board of directors and shareholder meetings

Financing
Emerging businesses frequently require financing at various stages of their growth. Our team of attorneys are experienced in all types of equity and debt financing familiar to emerging companies, such as:

• Bootstrap funding by founders and close associates
• Angel investments
• Venture capital investments
• Initial public offerings
• Commercial bank loans
• Asset-based loans

Our securities attorneys help clients comply with federal and state securities laws when they sell securities in both private placements and public offerings.

Our experience representing financing sources — venture capitalists, investment bankers, banks and leasing companies — provides us with insight leading to better structured and negotiated investments for emerging-company clients.

Transactions
We advise emerging companies at subsequent phases of the corporate life-cycle, including:

• Continued growth
• Acquiring other businesses
• Selling off a portion of the existing business
• Exit or sale of the company

Our attorneys can structure the transaction in the most beneficial way for the company, including a joint venture, merger or sale, or purchase of stock or assets.