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Representative matters

How we approach the kinds of problems clients bring to us, from the first question to the finished work.

About these examples. Each example is an illustrative composite based on the types of matters we handle. None describes a specific client, engagement or result. Client confidentiality and professional rules govern what we can publish, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Illustrative exampleStartup and Venture Capital Law

Software company, three co-founders, pre-seed.

This type of matter is led by Eleanor Sterling

Restructuring founder equity ahead of a seed round

The challenge

One co-founder had stepped back from the business, but held a third of the equity with no vesting. Prospective investors raised it as a condition of investing.

Our role

Corporate counsel to the company, working alongside the founders' individual advisers.

What we weighed

  • A fair outcome for the departing founder's contribution to date
  • Clean ownership investors would accept
  • Tax consequences of any repurchase, coordinated with accountants

The work

  • Reviewed incorporation records and the original equity issuance
  • Prepared a negotiated repurchase and IP confirmation agreement
  • Put vesting in place for the continuing founders

Typical outcome

An illustration of how this type of matter can be resolved: the departing founder keeps a reduced, fully vested stake and the company goes into its seed round with a clean cap table.

Illustrative exampleCommercial Contracts

Data services company, 30 employees.

This type of matter is led by Daniel Vale

Negotiating a first enterprise services agreement

The challenge

A Fortune 500 prospect required its standard MSA, including uncapped indemnities and broad audit rights, with a signing deadline of three weeks.

Our role

Contract counsel to the services company.

What we weighed

  • Which terms the prospect was likely to move on
  • Insurance coverage available to back any indemnity
  • Keeping the commercial relationship on track

The work

  • Prepared a ranked issues list within two days
  • Proposed a liability cap tied to annual fees with specific carve-outs
  • Supported the client's commercial lead on negotiation calls

Typical outcome

An illustration of a typical outcome: the agreement is signed on schedule with liability capped and audit rights limited to a defined scope.

Illustrative exampleCommercial Disputes and Litigation

Family-owned distribution business, two 50% shareholders.

This type of matter is led by Daniel Vale

Resolving a deadlock between equal owners

The challenge

The owners disagreed on selling the business. Neither could act without the other, and day-to-day decisions were stalling.

Our role

Counsel to one shareholder.

What we weighed

  • The deadlock provisions in the shareholder agreement
  • The cost and disruption of litigation to an operating business
  • Preserving value for both owners

The work

  • Assessed the agreement's buy-sell mechanism and statutory remedies
  • Proposed mediation with an agreed valuation process
  • Negotiated and documented the buyout

Typical outcome

An illustration of how such disputes often end: one owner buys the other out at an independently determined value, without a contested trial.

Illustrative exampleEmployment and Workplace Law

Professional services firm expanding from one state to five.

This type of matter is led by Amara Okafor

Updating employment documents for a multi-state team

The challenge

The company's handbook and offer letters were written for Illinois only, and remote hires were working in four other states.

Our role

Employment counsel to the company.

What we weighed

  • State and local leave, pay and notice requirements
  • Enforceability of existing restrictive covenants in each state
  • A single handbook that remains easy to use

The work

  • Compliance review across each state of employment
  • Rewrote the handbook with state-specific supplements
  • Updated offer letter and confidentiality agreement templates

Typical outcome

An illustration of the result: one handbook with state supplements, and templates matched to where each employee works.

Illustrative exampleIntellectual Property and Technology Law

Consumer app company preparing for acquisition talks.

This type of matter is led by Thomas Reinholt

Securing ownership of agency-built software

The challenge

Core code had been written by an overseas development agency under a short statement of work that did not address IP ownership.

Our role

IP and technology counsel to the company.

What we weighed

  • Which law governed the original agreement
  • The agency's commercial incentives to cooperate
  • Effect on the buyer's diligence timeline

The work

  • Traced the chain of title for each part of the codebase
  • Negotiated a confirmatory IP assignment with the agency
  • Prepared disclosure for the buyer's diligence

Typical outcome

An illustration of the result: the company holds a signed assignment covering the full codebase before diligence begins.

Illustrative exampleCorporate and Business Law

Privately held manufacturer, 120 employees, no in-house lawyer.

This type of matter is led by Eleanor Sterling

Outside general counsel for a growing manufacturer

The challenge

Legal work was handled ad hoc by several firms, with no consistent view of contracts, governance or risk.

Our role

Outside general counsel under a monthly arrangement.

What we weighed

  • Predictable legal spend
  • Prioritizing the matters that carry most risk
  • Coordination with specialist firms where needed

The work

  • Built a contract register and renewal calendar
  • Brought board minutes and corporate records up to date
  • Set up a quarterly legal review with leadership

Typical outcome

An illustration of how this arrangement typically works: one point of contact for legal questions and a planned, budgeted legal calendar.

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