Avoiding the Most Common Business Lawsuits Defending against any lawsuit has the potential to sink a Silicon Valley start-up. You must defend against even frivolous litigation especially so in today’s fast-paced and ever-expanding startup industry. There is no way to bulletproof a business from all litigation, but there are ways…
Articles Posted in Start-Ups & Financing
What is A Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement? Do I need employees to sign one?
In the Silicon Valley technology sector, intellectual property is more than just a buzzword. It is an asset with the potential to generate significant income for years to come. Intellectual property includes patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Many employers protect their intellectual property with invention assignment agreements and confidentiality agreements. What…
What is an Offering Memorandum?
In many instances, an offering memorandum – also commonly known as an OM or an “offering memo” – is something which is necessary in order to raise a certain amount of capital from corporate investors. This document is also one of the most important documents to hand to a company…
How can a Founder be Removed as an Employee?
How Can a Founder be Removed as an Employee? You may expect the founder of a company to remain in charge of the enterprise until it the founder either retires or the company closes up shop. After all, the company would not exist without the founder, so they should retain…
Alternative Work Schedule and the 40-Hour Work Week
For decades, the traditional 40-hour per week work schedule has involved working five eight-hour days per week, often Monday through Friday. However, in recent years, many companies have realized the benefits of offering alternative work schedules for employees. Such benefits include improved job satisfaction, employee morale, additional opportunities for public…
Should I Have an Employee Handbook?
It is always advisable for employers to have an employee handbook, which will contain important information that protects you legally. Even if a company only has a few employee, without a handbook, it might expose itself to the greater risk of a lawsuit regarding sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and other…
What to Consider when Hiring New Employees
Hiring a new employee is an important business decision that can impact your business’s success. You must take the necessary steps to protect both your business and keep your employee happy, especially today when the unemployment rate is at a historic low . If your San Jose business is considering…
Restricted Stock vs. Stock Options: Deciding How to Compensate your Employees
Startup companies often use stock options to attract new quality talent. If you have decided to do so, there are some special considerations when deciding the best approach to compensate your employees. Two common approaches include restricted stock and stock options. What is Restricted Stock? Restricted stock is a stock…
Budgeting Operating Expenses for a Silicon Valley Startup Company
Starting a new business can be an overwhelming proposition for any Silicon Valley startup business. An experienced business startup attorney can help you build a profitable business from the ground up by finding appropriate financing, effectively forecasting your business expenses and helping you budget effectively. Finding the Right Financing The…
Understanding Investor Qualifications: Accredited Investors vs. Qualified Purchasers
Hedge funds are defined as a limited partnership of investors that use high risk methods to realize large capital gains. Without an applicable exemption, the hedge fund must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and meet complex, ongoing filing and disclosure requirements. However, depending on investor qualifications, the hedge…