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Legal Resources
Orrick's Start-Up Tool Kit is a comprehensive set of resources designed to aid start-ups and their founders on the journey from the "garage" to the global marketplace.
2008 Entrepreneurship Conference Video on Legal Issues
Allison Leopold Tilley of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman discusses:
- Leaving your current company clean
- What form of incorporation is best for your company, or should you be a sole proprietor
- How should you structure employee stock options
Legal Workshop Series for Entrepreneurs: The Nuts & Bolts
Session I
Date: Thursday, January 20, 2005
This was the first session of a 3-part workshop led by Allison Leopold Tilley of Pillsbury Winthrop, LLC. Allison presented the nuts and bolts of the the legal issues you are likely to face as a budding entrepreneur. Session I covered: When, how and where to form a company; Founders Stock Purchase Agreements; Allocation of stock to employees; Offer Letters and General Employment issues; Officers and Directors & Advisory Board; and an overview of a first meeting with attorney and how to leverage your law firm. Below are the two handouts from Session I.
Legal Workshop Session I overview 
Session I handouts [
PDF 106KB]
Session II
Date: Thursday, February 24, 2005
The second session covered the basics of private financings, bridge financings and understanding term sheets. It also covered an overview of options and option plans.
Legal Workshop Session II overview
Session II handout: Bridge Financing [
DOC 27KB]
Session II handout: Sample Term Sheet [ DOC 34.5KB]
Video File: Allison Leopold Tilley, 1:27 Hours
Session III
Date: Thursday, April 7, 2005
The third and final session covered IP issues such as NDA basics, an overview of patents, trademarks and licensing.
Legal Workshop Session III overview[ PDF 207KB]
Session III handout: Protection of Intellectual Property [ PDF 1.23MB]
Video File: Allison Leopold Tilley & David Jaffer, 1:12 Hours
2006 Legal Videos:
Incorporating, Stock Options and Other Early Issues, 1:20 hours
February 1, 2006
Allison Leopold Tilley, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Details of Early and Late-stage Financing, 1:08 hours
February 1, 2006
Allison Leopold Tilley, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Intellectual Property and Other Legal Issues, 1:12 hours
February 1, 2006
David Jaffer, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Legal Advice for GSB Students and Alumni
GSB students and alumni can take advantage of one-on-one legal advisory sessions. See the page on Student Counseling for details.
Further Legal Resources
- Video: Intellectual Property and Other Legal Issues
- Recommended article: Top Ten Legal Mistakes Made By Entrepreneurs
- See our links page for further legal resources.