Alexandria Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

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Steven S.

Steven Stark

583 reviews
For over 30 years, Steven Stark has offered counsel to non-profit organizations and private companies. He has a passion for helping small businesses in particular since he himself started several businesses of his own in New York and Florida. He understands the importance of small businesses having a reliable attorney to advise them about legal matters from their inception.
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Jake S.

Jake Siciliano

275 reviews
Jake graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law where he focused on international trademark and corporate law. As of 2022, he has obtained his L.L.M. in Financial Compli... read more
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Richard G.

Richard Gora

200 reviews
Looking for an attorney with experience? Richard Gora is the exact attorney you want. Having defended over 100 cases both in state and federal courts and working with clients from around the globe, Richard has an array of different experiences. His services are wide-ranging and include business litigation, securities litigations, employment litigation, and business counsel. Prior to founding Gora LLC, he worked for Finn, Dixon & Herling LLP for eight years.
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Michael W.

Michael Wieser

164 reviews
I am dedicated to working with startup entrepreneurs and early stage growth companies to provide legal stability and scalability for growing enterprises. What sets me apart... read more
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Glenn M.

Glenn Manishin

161 reviews
Glenn Manishin is the managing partner at Paradigmshift Law LLP and founded the law firm in 2015. The focus of his law firm lies within Internet technology and business law. Attorney Manishin has a mission in place to help clients and companies find creative and efficient ways for their business models to navigate through legal and regulatory barriers. Attorney Manishin has worked with top companies including Sports Fans Coalition, Inc., Consumer Federation of America, and more.
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Brig R.

Brig Ricks

160 reviews
I am a senior executive and strategic legal adviser with 19 years of experience providing legal services in international environments. I am a general counsel who can advis... read more
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John Allen W.

John Allen Waldrop

30 reviews
Waldrop & Colvin is a Virginia based law firm with premier talent delivering a boutique experience. We serve national clients in various industries with locations world... read more
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Sara S.

Sara Sass

10 reviews
Hi! I'm Sara and I'm looking forward to working with you. I value your time just as much as my own, and aim for efficient project completion. Demand letters, debt collectio... read more
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Yvenne K.

Yvenne King

6 reviews
With 29 years of business experience, including 25 years in law, I represent companies - across the U.S. - in technology, finance, retail, sports and entertainment, publis... read more
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Alden E.

Alden Eldredge

I am an experienced business lawyer with almost two decades of legal experience - including 12 years as in-house counsel to successful BPO and tech companies of various siz... read more
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Legal Tips and Information

 


 

What Qualities Make for a Good Startup Attorney?

 

If you’re looking for an Alexandria, VA startup attorney, you may find yourself overwhelmed by choice.  If you lack experience working with startup attorneys in a fast-paced environment, it can be difficult to understand what qualities are shared by the best startup attorneys – and the unique value-add that they represent for your business.  The following is a non-exhaustive list of positive qualities that characterize the most successful startup attorneys.

 

Client-Focused Engagement

 

When you begin to search for a startup attorney to assist your business, be wary of attorneys that single-mindedly pursue profit and cost efficiency over the provision of quality services to their client(s).  It’s important that you find a startup attorney who is willing to invest a fair amount of energy into developing the attorney-client relationship.

 

Navigating the law – especially for a startup potentially disrupting a stagnant industry – can be a confusing, sometimes frightening prospect.  If you have questions and concerns, your attorney should be willing to engage such concerns within a reasonable timeframe.  To determine whether an attorney you find on the UpCounsel platform is truly client-focused, check out their ratings and reviews.  If an attorney has strong reviews (as well as repeat clients), then it can be reasonably inferred that the attorney values their client relationships highly.

 

Apprised of Regulatory Landscape

 

Startups are often disruptive to a given industry, and may therefore run into regulatory concerns early on.  It is key that you work with an attorney who is at least somewhat familiar with your industry and the regulatory landscape influencing it.  The best startup attorneys keep up-to-date with regulatory developments – not only those currently in the pipeline, but also those being debated and considered for future implementation – and can help your startup properly navigate the law.

 

Willingness to Advise

 

Your startup attorney should provide advisory services when appropriate for a given context, without having to be specifically requested.  For example, if you ask your attorney to draft a sale of goods contract, your attorney should not only draft the contract, but should work with you to ensure that you fully understand the terms of the contract and are incorporating advantageous provisions.  If there are any strategically unsound aspects to the contract, your attorney should make you aware of them.

 

To put it simply: your startup team will not always know what questions to ask.  You should hire an attorney who recognizes this and asks such questions for your benefit.

 

Preventing Litigation through Arbitration

 

It is almost an inevitability – businesses occasionally find themselves embroiled in legal disputes.  Without provisions in place to prevent it, a dispute can lead to protracted litigation.

 

Most businesses and attorneys agree: litigation is best avoided, when possible.  Though – rarely – some disputes may require court intervention for the provision of justice, litigation generally wastes the time, energy, and money of all involved parties, resources that startups typically lack in their growth stage.

 

Traditional litigation is uniquely damaging to startups because court matters are open to the public.  Brand is important, and litigation can be harmful to your brand.  Media may expose certain details about your business (revealed during litigation).  Investors may be put off by news of extended legal conflict, as it can indicate instability and weakness.

 

Of course, some disputes need resolution.  To resolve a contract dispute without having to resort to traditional litigation, talk to your startup attorney about drafting contracts that include alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provisions, such as arbitration.

 


 

What is Arbitration?

 

Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution, wherein the parties select a neutral arbitrator (typically an attorney, judge, or former judge) to preside privately over the dispute.  Each side presents their arguments, and the arbitrator makes a judgment based off such collective argument.

Arbitration is less formalized than litigation and occurs over a much shorter period of time, which results in a leaner process overall.  Some parties find that arbitration is more protective of smaller parties than litigation, as it is more difficult for wealthier parties to “outspend” and “outlast” their opponents.

 

Once the judgment of the arbitrator has been made, a court will confirm it and the judgment will apply with the full force of law.  It is worth reiterating: the confirmed judgment of an arbitrator must be adhered to.  The judgment is not weakened in any way by virtue of its alternative process.

 

Arbitration typically includes the signing of confidentiality agreements (to prevent either party from disclosing facts revealed during the process), which can be crucial for managing potential damage to your brand from the dispute.

 

If you are interested in avoiding the traditional litigation process via arbitration or some other ADR process, speak with your startup attorney about the possibility of drafting your contracts to include such provisions.

 


 

Business Formation, Registration, and Maintenance

 

Most startups quickly move away from sole proprietorship organization and register in the corporation form (or as a partnership).

Corporate and partnership forms benefit startup founders because these forms tend to limit personal legal liability.  For example, suppose you and two other founders are the sole employees of your startup.  Normally, if a person were to sue your company over some legal dispute, you and your team might be found personally liable for damages caused.  Now, if you restructure the startup as a corporation, only the corporation as a whole can be held liable.  A damages award can only be drawn from the assets owned by the corporation itself.

 

Restructuring your business as a corporation, limited liability corporation, etc. typically involves more than a simple registration form.  You may need to draft and execute Articles of Incorporation, a Founders’ Agreement, Stock Agreements, and other necessary agreements for distributing shares and allocating responsibility.

 

Skilled startup attorneys are equipped with the tools and experience necessary to not only draft airtight agreements to ensure a smooth restructuring of your startup, but will also advise you and your team on the benefits of a given structure for the future of your business.  Your attorney will also help you understand industry standards with regard to stock option provisions and other contract concerns.

 


 

Maintenance

 

Startup teams are notoriously busy, which can make it quite difficult to satisfy the legal requirements for maintenance of the corporation and partnership forms.

For example, if you have restructured your startup as a c-corporation, then you will have to appoint Board members and keep detailed minutes of Board meetings.  If you fail to do so, then your startup may no longer qualify as a c-corporation, and you may lose the liability shield associated with the corporate form.

 

As such, it’s helpful to hire a startup attorney who will help you understand the rules surrounding the corporate/partnership form.   Your attorney will essentially help you and your team sustainably operate your business in accordance with applicable corporate/partnership regulation.

Why use UpCounsel to hire a Alexandria Startup Attorney?

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Legal Services Offered by Our On-Demand Alexandria Startup Attorneys

On UpCounsel, you can find and connect with top-rated Alexandria startup attorneys & lawyers that provide a range of startup law services for startups and entrepreneurs that are starting a business. Any of the top-rated Alexandria startup lawyers you connect with will be available to help with a variety of your startup law related legal needs on-demand or on an ongoing basis in the city of Alexandria, VA.

From primarily dealing with things like business formation, contracts, leases, equity financing, securities, and intellectual property protection, the Alexandria startup lawyers on UpCounsel can help you with a variety of specialized and general startup law related legal matters. No matter what type of startup law needs you have, you can easily hire an experienced Alexandria startup lawyer on UpCounsel to help you today.

If You Need Ongoing Legal Counsel or Ad-hoc Legal Work – We Can Help!

Improve Your Legal ROI with Affordable Startup Attorneys that service Alexandria, VA.

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What Our Customers Have to Say

"UpCounsel gives me access to big-firm lawyers minus the big-firm price tag. I work with several attorneys on the platform and there are never surprises...I always receive quality legal work at competitive rates that larger firms simply cannot match."

Scott Woods
SVP & General Counsel

"Every startup needs to know about UpCounsel. We found great attorneys at great prices and were able to focus our resources on improving our business instead of paying legal bills."

Sean Conway
Co-founder & CEO

"Before UpCounsel it was hard for us to find the right lawyer with the right expertise for our business. UpCounsel solves those problems by being more affordable and helping us find the right lawyer in no time."

Tristan Pollock
Co-founder & COO

This is the most recent 15 reviews for Business Operations attorneys in Virginia

Chelsie Campbell
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Assist with Outside General Counsel

Chelsie Campbell

"Chelsea helped me understand my documents further and was patient with any questions I had."

.
Richmond, VA,

Michael Wieser
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Startup Company in VA - Looking for Bylaws, amendments, shareholder/Board meeting min, Stock Ledger

Michael Wieser

"He is very knowledgeable and very good in professional writing. I called him multiple times and he answered my call even after hours. He clarified all my questions. Thanks Michael Wieser. Good Luck To You ..."

.
Herndon, VA,

Christopher Way
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Outside General Counsel Services

Christopher Way

"Christopher was timely and concise with his advice. We will definitely work with him again in the future."

.
Arlington, VA,

Lauri Donahue
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Outside General Counsel Services

Lauri Donahue

"Lauri is great, she was quick and to the point. Definitely recommend her for your legal needs."

.
Reston, VA,

Geoffrey Amend
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Bylaws Review

Geoffrey Amend

"Geoffrey was excellent to work with. Achieved everything I needed to very quickly. Turn around in less than 24 hours. No complaints at all!"

.
Fairfax, VA,

Geoffrey Amend
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Stock Purchase Agreement / Waiver and Consent

Geoffrey Amend

"Geoffrey was excellent. He provided me with board resolutions and handled a tense situation with a co-founder. Highly recommend"

.
Fairfax, VA,

Geoffrey Amend
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Series Seed Investment Documents

Geoffrey Amend

"Geoffrey was great. Very responsive, got everything I needed for investment docs very quickly. Explained nuances and options - highly recommend"

.
Fairfax, VA,

Todd Ensminger
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Outside General Counsel Services

Todd Ensminger

"Great experience, Todd did exactly what I needed"

.
Arlington, VA,

Mary Hodges
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Foreign Register Business

Mary Hodges

"Again, Mary did a wonderful job and it is a joy working with her."

.
Alexandria, VA,

Mario Naim
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

File Trademark Application

Mario Naim

"Great attorney!"

.
McLean, VA,

Thomas Love
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Thomas Love

"Pleasant to work with Thomas, very patient, and doesn't hesitate to go an extra mile to help."

.
Woodbridge, VA,

Paul Spitz
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Startup Equity Assistance

Paul Spitz

"Incredible experience with him. Prompt, professional, and he really cares for your situation. Definitely would recommend him!"

.
Springfield, VA,

Mario Naim
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Employment Agreement - VP Sales

Mario Naim

"A great lawyer and more than that he is a great counsel to seek strategic advice and guidance."

.
McLean, VA,

Pantea Stevenson
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Post-Incorporation Documents

Pantea Stevenson

"Pantea is insightful, responsive, and a pleasure to do business with."

.
Harrisonburg, VA,

Alejandro Maher
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Basic Legal Assistance

Alejandro Maher

"Alejandro was awesome! He went above and beyond! Highly recommend!"

.
Catlett, VA,

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