Whether you're looking for guidance on the appropriate forms to create a company, need support to close an initial fundraising round, or are hoping to get insight on valuing/dividing shares among shareholders, it's important to find a law firm that's well versed handling specific startups needs.
We asked around, and these are the trusted law firms that come recommended:
Cooley
Celebrating its centennial this year, Cooley is a stalwart in the industry. The firm prides itself on powering innovation and defending success, with a particular focus on a range of technology fields (adtech, martech, cybersecurity, blockchain, fintech, etc.) and life sciences and healthcare. Clients include Air, Bluecore, Kasisto.
DLA Piper
This global law firm represents multinational global enterprises as well as emerging companies. Its Accelerate online resource provides founders with materials to fuel formation, growth, and expansion.
Fenwick & West
With a dedicated "Startup Resource Center" front and center on their website organized by stage, there's no doubt that Fenwick & West has startup founders needs top of mind. It's consistently recognized as one of the top technology law firms, and routinely publishes relevant trend and market reports. Startups they have worked with include Airbnb, Carta, Calm, and Sealed.
Goodwin
This global law firm seeks to work with tech innovators and investors, stressing a commitment to client services and true relationship building. In an effort to provide entrepreneurs with guidance on forming, financing, hiring, growing, and protecting business IP, the firm maintains its Founders Workbench site with free tools such as its Capital Calculator and Deal Dictionary.
Gunderson Dettmer
Six years in a row, Pitchbook has ranked this firm #1 for high-growth technology and life sciences companies and investors globally. With a singular focus on startups and emerging companies, they are recognized as one of the most active law firms in the VC market, and in 2019, they closed $18+ billion of venture capital private financings. Startups they've worked with include Harry's, Vimeo, Skillshare, and Oscar.
Lowenstein Sandler
The Tech Group at this firm helps to create hundreds of new businesses and closes over 500 venture transactions yearly. Beyond the work they do with individual clients, Lowenstein Sandler is also responsible for the VentureCrush platform, where they host educational and networking events bringing together founders, execs, and VCs. They work with Clients include Google, Red Hat, and General Assembly.
McCarter & English
This generalist law firm works with a mix of VC and tech clients, and invests in helping startup founders strategically plan for the future. Clients of the firm's Venture Capital and Emerging Growth Companies practice include Datacubed Health, Harlem Capital, Differential Ventures, Visual Lease and Yumble.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
This global law firm focuses on the tech and innovation, energy and infrastructure, and finance sectors. Clients include Stitch, Vostok, and Konfio.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati
With roots closely aligned to the evolution of Silicon Valley, for nearly 60 years the firm has focused on technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises.
Have an agency you feel should be on the list? Contact us at nycguide@primary.vc.
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