When businesses are starting out, there is usually very little attention and money paid to legal issues. Entrepreneurs and business owners are more worried about launching the company and making their first million. Money is usually poured into marketing – and things like employment agreements, choice of entity and contracts are basically ignored.
And that’s where you step in as their trusted business counselor and advisor. Even though they may not have a huge legal budget initially, there are small things you can do to help build trust and help them with more legal planning as the business grows. Melody Kramer will provide insight on how you can provide value to your business clients by helping to draft collaboration agreements for small business and startup companies. Melody will mainly address preparing the client, due diligence before drafting, discussing the legal framework with clients and key considerations when drafting the collaboration agreement. Melody will also touch on core business contracts, oral contracts, using collaboration worksheets, the balance of power in the business, employees & independent contractors, key points for working with independent contractors, entity docs and avoiding legalese when drafting.
Melody A. Kramer is a veteran trial lawyer, legal strategist, speaker, blogger and author. For the past decade, Melody has handled complex federal litigation, served as lead counsel in dozens of cases and negotiated IP licensing agreements with well-known companies. She has been able to take on diverse litigation projects through strategic partnerships with other law firms.