Startup Lawyer is a practical guide to startup law for people building and investing in high‑growth companies.
The site focuses on the legal issues startups face at every stage — from formation to funding to exit — with clear, experience‑based insights instead of legal jargon. While most articles address startup law, you’ll also find commentary on venture capital, founder issues, startup culture, and lessons learned from working inside the startup ecosystem.
Startup Lawyer was launched in 2006 and has one goal: to help founders and investors better understand how startup law actually works in the real world.
What Startup Lawyer Covers
Startup Lawyer covers the legal and structural topics that matter most to startups, including:
- Startup formation and incorporation
- Founder equity, co‑founder issues, and governance
- Advisors, accelerators, and early‑stage structure
- Stock options and equity compensation
- Convertible notes, SAFEs, and seed financings
- Venture capital financings and growth rounds
- M&A, exits, and late‑stage considerations
From time to time, the site also explores non‑legal topics — usually entrepreneurial lessons, startup trends, or industry news that founders and investors should be paying attention to.
Who Startup Lawyer Is For
Startup Lawyer is written for people actively participating in the startup ecosystem, including:
- Startup founders and co‑founders
- Early‑stage and venture‑backed companies
- Startup executives and operators
- Angel investors and venture capital funds
- Advisors, accelerators, and ecosystem partners
If you’re building a startup, investing in one, or advising companies through growth and fundraising, Startup Lawyer is designed to be a useful, no‑nonsense resource.
About the Author
Startup Lawyer is written by Ryan Roberts, a startup and venture capital attorney and partner at Roberts Zimmerman PLLC.
Ryan represents high‑growth startup companies and venture capital investors across a wide range of industries and technologies. He’s spent two decades advising founders and investors through every stage of the startup lifecycle, from formation to financings to exits.
Ryan is also the author of Acceleration: What All Entrepreneurs Must Know About Startup Law, which expands on many of the concepts discussed on StartupLawyer.com through real‑world examples and patterns drawn from his experience advising founders and investors.
How to Get in Touch
If you’d like to get in touch you can contact Ryan through the contact page.
You can also learn more about his legal practice by visiting his attorney profile.
