Heck no. Your lawyer should not get a contingent finder’s fee for introducing you to investors or potential acquirers. I think taking a finder’s fee would be a greater conflict than sitting on your startup’s board of directors.
I’ve always felt introductions, whether to an accountant, potential co-founder, or investor is just part of the benefit of hiring a startup lawyer. And while I heart FINRA, I’m not sure I want to register with them or the Texas State Securities Board.
If you want to hook your lawyer up for an introduction, send him a box of your startup’s t-shirts. Even better, rave about him or her to your network. And if you are an investor (angel or VC) and happen to read this blog, reach out to me so I can increase my electronic rolodex and get more t-shirts.
Ryan RobertsPartner
Ryan Roberts is a startup and venture capital attorney and partner at Roberts Zimmerman PLLC with more than two decades of experience advising high‑growth startups and venture capital investors. He is the author of Acceleration: What All Entrepreneurs Must Know About Startup Law and StartupLawyer.com
