Herrick is an established fixture on the venture capital landscape, providing a full range of legal services.

We are well equipped to guide emerging growth companies through the various stages of growth, including entity selection and formation, business plan refinement, structuring employee incentive and stock option arrangements, financings and liquidity events.

Our experience and established network of venture capital and early stage investors makes us an invaluable business partner for start-ups and emerging growth companies. We regularly work with venture capital firms, angel investors, the venture arms of public companies and other investors in deploying debt and equity investments in early stage companies, joint ventures, repositioned private companies, later stage/pre-IPO companies and public companies.

In today's business environment, enterprises and investors require legal advisors that can quickly close a deal, yet preserve the flexibility and protections needed to address contingencies that might arise. We are seasoned veterans in navigating start-ups, funds and investors through cramdowns, board fights, litigation, liquidity crises and highly negotiated exit events. Our deep experience, combined with our commitment to understanding our clients' businesses and goals, enables us to achieve a level of focus and efficiency that exceeds expectations.

Areas of Focus:

  • Entity formation
  • Preparation of charters, bylaws, LLC and LP agreements
  • Employment, consulting and independent contractor arrangements
  • Equity incentive plans
  • Preparation for institutional investment
  • Venture financing
  • Debt and equity lines of credit
  • Equipment financing
  • Joint ventures and strategic alliances
  • Intellectual property protection
  • Nondisclosure agreements
  • Licensing and distribution arrangements
  • Software and technology development
  • Tax planning/structuring