Structure. Scale.
Exit.
Legal infrastructure that attracts capital, closes deals faster, and positions you for the exit you want. For founders who move fast and think long-term.
Structure Your Deal →What Startups Get
Legal infrastructure designed to attract investors, protect your IP, and scale from seed to Series A and beyond.
Entity Formation & Structuring
Incorporation, equity splits, cap tables, and investor-ready documentation. Get your entity structure right from day one so you don't have to fix it later.
What We Set Up:
- • Delaware C-Corp formation (or LLC if appropriate)
- • Founder equity agreements and vesting schedules
- • Cap table setup and management
- • Board structure and corporate governance
- • Intellectual property assignment agreements
- • 83(b) election filing
How We Can Help:
A SaaS startup with three co-founders needed investor-ready structure. We formed Delaware C-Corp, created founder agreements with 4-year vesting, assigned all IP to company, and prepared SAFE documentation for their pre-seed round—ready for due diligence from day one.
Learn more →IP Protection & Strategy
Trademark your brand, protect your tech, and build defensible IP assets. Strong IP makes your company more valuable and harder to compete with.
IP Services for Startups:
- • Trademark registration for brand name and logo
- • Patent strategy and provisional applications
- • Copyright registration for software and content
- • Trade secret protection policies
- • Employee and contractor IP assignment agreements
- • Freedom-to-operate analysis
How We Can Help:
An AI startup needed to protect their proprietary algorithm and brand before fundraising. We filed provisional patent application, registered trademarks in three classes, created comprehensive IP assignment agreements, and documented trade secret protocols—making their IP portfolio a key selling point in investor meetings.
Learn more →Contract Strategy & Templates
Customer agreements, vendor contracts, and NDAs that protect your interests. Stop using free templates from the internet that don't actually protect you.
Essential Startup Contracts:
- • SaaS Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
- • Customer agreements and MSAs
- • Vendor and contractor agreements
- • Mutual and one-way NDAs
- • Employment offer letters and contractor agreements
- • Advisory board agreements
How We Can Help:
A B2B SaaS company landed their first enterprise customer but only had generic ToS. We drafted comprehensive MSA with proper liability caps, IP provisions, and SLA terms—turning a handshake deal into a bankable contract that satisfied the customer's procurement team.
Learn more →Privacy, Data & AI Compliance
GDPR, CCPA, AI regulations, and data privacy policies for modern tech companies. Enterprise customers won't buy from you without proper compliance documentation.
Compliance Services:
- • Privacy policy and terms of service drafting
- • GDPR and CCPA compliance audits
- • Data processing agreements (DPAs)
- • Security questionnaire assistance
- • Cookie consent and user data mapping
- • AI model transparency and compliance
How We Can Help:
A consumer AI app expanding to Europe needed GDPR compliance fast. We conducted data flow audit, drafted compliant privacy policy and user consent mechanisms, created DPA templates, and prepared documentation for app store reviews—enabling EU launch in 6 weeks.
Learn more →Common Startup Legal Questions We Answer
❓ "Should we incorporate in Delaware?"
For venture-backed startups, yes. Delaware C-Corps are the standard for fundraising—VCs expect it. If you're bootstrapping or building a lifestyle business, an LLC might make more sense.
❓ "How do we split equity among founders?"
Equal splits rarely work long-term. Split based on role, commitment, and contribution—and always use vesting (typically 4 years with 1-year cliff) to protect against co-founder departure.
❓ "Do we need a patent or just a trademark?"
Trademark protects your brand name/logo. Patent protects novel technology. Most startups need trademarks immediately and patents only if they have truly innovative tech. Start with trademarks, evaluate patents later.
❓ "Can we use free contract templates?"
For early prototyping, maybe. For paying customers, no. Generic templates don't address your specific business model, expose you to liability, and can hurt fundraising. Investors will find the gaps in due diligence.
Find Your Optimal Business Structure
Compare entity options based on your revenue, growth plans, and liability concerns.
Business Structure Quiz
Find the optimal legal structure for your business. Compare sole proprietorship, LLC, S-Corp, and C-Corp options.
Why Startups Choose Jacobs Counsel
Startup Experience
We've worked with hundreds of founders. We know what investors look for.
Fast & Efficient
AI-native workflows mean faster turnarounds and transparent flat fees.
Built to Scale
Legal infrastructure designed to grow with you from seed to Series A and beyond.
Free Startup Resource
Download our comprehensive outside counsel playbook for startups ready to scale.
The Startup Legal Playbook
Agile outside counsel strategies for SaaS growth, funding rounds, and AI innovation.
Ready to Build Something Big?
Book a strategy call and let's build a legal foundation that attracts investors and scales with your vision.
BOOK STRATEGY CALL →