Over the past year, we have witnessed a boom in special purpose acquisition companies, with the SPAC method of going public seeing a meteoric rise in popularity as an alternative to the traditional initial public offering. Read more
One of the hottest investment trends in the past year is the rise of special-purpose acquisition companies, commonly called SPACs. Read more
You formed and financed an emerging growth company or startup, you hold unregistered shares of a private company not listed on a national securities exchange—but you need cash now. Read more
Amidst historic highs for startup investment in 2021, and new records broken every month, one wonders whether we can expect the venture capital boom to continue. Read more
This publication is designed to provide authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought Read more
Law360 (March 25, 2021, 8:58 PM EDT) — Reports that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is inquiring deeper into the explosion in blank-check offerings could be a prelude to further investigation to assure that investor protection concerns are being met, attorneys said Thursday. The SEC’s focus reportedly centers on the practices of investment banks …
SEC Inquiry Into Blank-Check Boom Could Be Just The Start Read More »
A new social media platform based on voice messaging launched Monday. Called Swell, free apps for the platform can be found in Apple’s App Store and in Google Play. Read more
Garage to Global – Pitch Your Startup: Highly regarded early-stage investor Ben Narasin, a Venture Partner at NEA, a global venture capital firm, joins co-hosts Richard Levick of LEVICK and Louis Lehot, a partner with Foley & Lardner, on the latest episode of Garage to Global. Ben, who successfully spotted trends leading him to make …
Pitch Your Startup with Ben Narasin, Venture Partner at NEA Read More »
To date, the power of computing has enabled a remote economy, remote healthcare, remote collaboration, remote education, secure and contactless transactions, and intelligence that surpasses the human mind. New quantum computing power will usher in a brand new era — providing massive rewards to the companies and countries leading in the space, leaving laggards in …
Looking out for everyone sometimes means going the extra mile. By Louis Lehot, business lawyer and partner at Foley & Lardner LLP in Silicon Valley, and formerly the founder of L2 Counsel, P.C. These days, most entrepreneurs bring their companies to market for sale for one of three main reasons: It was a goal from …
Considering Selling Your Company? Be Clear on Your Fiduciary Duties Read More »
By Louis Lehot, business lawyer and partner at Foley & Lardner LLP in Silicon Valley, and formerly the founder of L2 Counsel, P.C. Worried about losing control of your company by offering shares to investors as it grows? Super voting stock for founders can help. These days, founders struggle with the issue of share dilution …
In the technology industry, whether in Cupertino or elsewhere in the Global Silicon Valley, the competition for the top talent required to grow to scale can be fierce. For decades, there have not been nearly enough STEM graduates to fill open spots. The road from #garage2global is tortuous, and a key ingredient to becoming #bigtech …
The State Of The Acqui-Hire In 2021: The Good, The Bad, The Why And What’s Next Read More »
What are the 2021 trends for startups and venture capital? We’re at an unusual inflection point, as we move into a post-pandemic world, a new US administration, and more diverse capital sources than ever before. Certain sectors are poised for tremendous opportunity. This webinar will feature a discussion between a leading Silicon Valley lawyer, a …
For companies fighting for the best talent, or those that are well-advised, offering the early exercise of unvested stock options, also known as “early exercise stock options,” can be a key tool in the toolbox. Allowing early exercise of stock options offers a key tax advantage by enabling holders to begin the holding period for …
6 Things You Need to Know About Early Exercisable Stock Options Read More »
By Louis Lehot, business lawyer and partner at Foley & Lardner LLP in Silicon Valley, and formerly the founder of L2 Counsel, P.C. Many startups looking for venture capital could make their business more attractive by creating it within or moving it to a designated “Opportunity Zone.” Today, opportunity zones around the United States have …
By Louis Lehot, business lawyer and partner at Foley & Lardner LLP in Silicon Valley, and formerly the founder of L2 Counsel, P.C. Imagine a world where you own stock in a company, the price skyrockets, you sell it, and pay zero tax on the profit. Welcome to the wonderful world of Qualified Small Business …
Although AI won’t replace the knowledge and experience of lawyers any time soon, great tools are becoming available to make our work more efficient and effective. In this webinar we will talk about how we use AI in our law practice and how you can apply it to make your knowledge work more efficient.
While external privacy disclosures and internal privacy programs can legally function as a defensive measure, your privacy strategy can also be proactive and a differentiator for your business. Read more
As the summer ends and the pumpkin spice is flooding everything around, we are starting the last quarter of this unpredictable year that brought so many changes to our lives. Read more
Tales From The Trenches – Venture Capital Term Sheets 101 (Part2) Read More »
Tales From The Trenches – Venture Capital Term Sheets 101 (Part1) Read More »
Venture capital inside-out: who they are, what types of deals they do? Read More »
As outside general counsel to dozens of startups in the technology, life sciences, medical device, clean energy and innovation economy, we are often asked about the utility and purpose of advisory boards. Read more
Whether B2B or B2C, at the earliest point in the life of a startup, says Louis Lehot, its stakeholders must design in architecture, set a mission, adopt policies and articulate procedures to protect and secure data containing personal information, especially health. Read more
5G technology provides wireless communication 10x faster than previous generations, rivaling fiber-optic cable speed, and is the first mobile technology capable of extending broadband wireless services to connected devices. Read more
As we prepare to enter the second half of 2020 and attempt to reopen the economy after its global prophylactic shutdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic Read more
As our economy further deepens into the fourth industrial revolution, we stand on the brink of a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another. Read more
On June 3, 2020, the United States House and Senate passed The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, or PPPFA, and on June 5, 2020, culminating a strong bipartisan effort, the President of the United States signed it into law. Read more
Broc Romanek sat down with Louis Lehot, the Founder of L2 Counsel and the video blog series — #askasiliconvalleylawyer — to discuss negotiating mergers and acquisition transactions during this pandemic. Read more
Choosing the right lawyer that fits your business is one of the most important steps you can take in today’s litigious world. Whether you are launching a new venture, pivoting to reposition your current business or have a “bet the company” challenge or opportunity, finding the lawyer that fits your unique situation is critical. Read …
7 Reasons Talented and Hard-working Employees Leave Read More »
Silicon Valley lawyer Louis Lehot shares 10 tips on how to build healthy relationships at work. It’s no surprise that many of the strongest relationships I have built over the past 20 years have revolved around my work. Read more
Choosing the right lawyer that fits your business is one of the most important steps you can take in today’s litigious world. Whether you are launching a new venture, pivoting to reposition your current business or have a “bet the company” challenge or opportunity, finding the lawyer that fits your unique situation is critical. Read …
I’m often asked by clients, in the initial fundraising process how to build a pitch deck. As a recent outside general counsel to well over a hundred emerging growth private companies in the technology, life sciences, medical device, and clean energy industries, in all stages of growth (from formation to liquidity), I am sharing my …
Companies usually run informally at the pre-seed and seed-stage, without formal meetings of the board of directors. However, once your business closes its first round of formal venture capital financing from a professional investment firm, and one or more venture capital partners have joined your board of directors, the meeting process becomes more formalized. Read …
Running an effective board of directors By Louis Lehot Read More »
Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.
