Entity Formation, Equity Issuance & Team Compensation
contracts – protecting rights, minimizing risk, and negotiating fair terms in the U.S. and globally.
Launching a business or creative venture requires more than vision – it requires the right legal structure. At ChaseLawyers®, we help startups, entertainment companies, and entrepreneurs establish solid foundations through entity formation, equity planning, and compensation strategies. From setting up LLCs, corporations, and partnerships to issuing shares and drafting equity agreements, our attorneys ensure your company is built on a secure and compliant framework.
With over 30 years of experience advising founders, investors, and creative professionals, we guide clients through the complex legal and tax implications of ownership, profit-sharing, and employee or contractor compensation. Whether you’re forming a production company, building a tech startup, or expanding a media venture, we make sure your structure protects your interests, attracts investment, and supports long-term growth.
contracts — protecting artists, producers, and their rights across the U.S. and globally.
Choosing the right business structure is the first step toward growth and protection. We help you:
- Select and establish the best legal entity (LLC, corporation, partnership).
- Draft operating agreements and bylaws.
- Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Protect your business from liability and legal risks.
Equity defines relationships between founders, investors, and partners. Our team supports you with:
- Designing shareholder and partnership agreements.
- Issuing founder shares, stock, and equity options.
- Establishing vesting schedules to protect long-term growth.
- Preparing for fundraising and investor negotiations.
Fair and strategic compensation keeps your team aligned and committed. We provide:
- Employment and executive contracts tailored to your needs.
- Stock option and profit-sharing plan design.
- Incentive structures that comply with U.S. labor law.
- Ongoing legal support for payroll, bonuses, and benefits.
How It Works
- Share your business goals and team structure
- Identify risks in entity formation and equity planning
- Receive tailored initial advice from our attorneys
- Choose the best entity type (LLC, Corporation, Partnership)
- Design equity structures for founders and investors
- Plan long-term governance and compliance strategies
- File formation documents with state and federal authorities
- Register shareholder and partnership agreements
- Secure employee and executive compensation contracts
- Resolve shareholder or partner disputes
- Ensure compliance with labor, tax, and securities laws
- Support in audits, equity transfers, and investor negotiations
- Adjust equity and compensation as your company scales
- Advise on new hires, executive packages, and stock options
- Provide continuous legal support for fundraising and expansion
We guide entrepreneurs through entity formation, equity planning, and founder agreements to protect their vision from day one.
From equity issuance to profit distribution, we ensure investors’ rights are clearly defined and protected.
We structure fair compensation packages, stock options, and incentive plans to attract and retain top talent.
As businesses scale, we provide ongoing support with restructuring, equity adjustments, and compliance to keep operations secure.
FAQ
Find quick answers to common questions about our legal services, from costs and contracts to copyrights, licensing, and royalties.
Costs depend on the state, entity type (LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp), complexity of the operating agreement, and whether legal counsel is needed. Expect anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars including filing fees and attorney work.
LLCs offer flexibility and pass-through taxation, but corporations (especially C-Corps) are preferred for raising venture capital, issuing multiple classes of stock, and future IPO potential.
You need a well-crafted equity plan (e.g. founder shares, stock options, restricted stock units), vesting schedules, and legal agreements. All issuances must comply with securities laws and corporate governance.
Vesting schedules tie equity ownership over time to continued involvement. They prevent early departures from claiming full ownership rights immediately and protect the company’s long-term interests.
Options should specify strike price, vesting terms, expiration, and repurchase rights. It’s essential to balance attractiveness (for talent) with protections (for the company and existing investors).
Depending on the structure (ISO, NSO, RSU), recipients may face tax events on grant, vesting, or exercise. Proper planning ensures equity doesn’t impose unexpected tax burdens on employees.
Use anti-dilution provisions, preemptive rights, protective provisions, and clear terms in shareholder agreements. These rights safeguard minority investors from unfair dilution.
Yes. We mediate equity disputes, draft buy-out or “founder exit” clauses, and enforce contracts that clarify roles, decision rights, and remedies.
Equity transfers must follow corporate bylaws, securities laws, and possibly rights of first refusal or drag-along/tag-along clauses. We help structure transfer rules and enforce them legally.
Revisit your plans whenever you raise a new funding round, expand your team, undergo a merger or acquisition, or pivot your business. Ongoing legal tuning ensures your structure stays aligned with growth and regulatory compliance.