Resource Center

Stay in the know with the latest news and expert insights from StartSmart Counsel. Our dedicated team of advisors regularly shares valuable updates, industry trends, and business wisdom to help you navigate the entrepreneurial journey. Explore our curated collection of news articles and blog posts to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in your startup endeavors.

What Happens When Business Partners Disagree? Why Every Corporation Needs a Shareholder Agreement
Jennifer Newton Jennifer Newton

What Happens When Business Partners Disagree? Why Every Corporation Needs a Shareholder Agreement

A well-drafted shareholder agreement is not merely a legal formality—it is a strategic tool that protects the corporation’s long-term viability and its stakeholders’ interests. Rather than relying on goodwill and verbal agreements, prudent business owners use shareholder agreements to prevent ambiguity and secure the future of the company.

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Are You Illegally Transmitting Money? A Legal Analysis of Token Issuance and Conversion Under Money Transmitter Laws
Jennifer Newton Jennifer Newton

Are You Illegally Transmitting Money? A Legal Analysis of Token Issuance and Conversion Under Money Transmitter Laws

Startups launching tokenized platforms often prioritize technological innovation and product-market fit, leaving regulatory compliance as an afterthought. However, the issuance and conversion of tokens may trigger federal and state money transmitter licensing obligations. Noncompliance with these requirements can result in severe penalties, enforcement actions, or even cease-and-desist orders from state regulators and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

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Protect Your Brand with a Trademark Assignment Template
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Protect Your Brand with a Trademark Assignment Template

In today’s competitive marketplace, your brand is one of your most valuable assets. Trademarks—your logos, names, slogans, and even distinctive packaging—signal quality and build customer loyalty. But what happens if you need to transfer those rights, whether because you’re selling a division, restructuring ownership, or engaging a licensing partner? A clear, well‑drafted trademark assignment template can save you time, reduce risk, and ensure that your valuable marks continue to protect the reputation you’ve worked so hard to build.

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Prevent Legal Fire Drills: Use a Fractional GC for Ongoing Compliance
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Prevent Legal Fire Drills: Use a Fractional GC for Ongoing Compliance

In today’s fast‑moving startup environment, legal issues can flare up overnight—vendor contracts, fundraising regulations, intellectual property worries, data‑privacy updates, employment law changes—you name it. Waiting until a crisis erupts and scrambling for outside counsel leads to reactive “legal fire drills,” skyrocketing fees, and missed strategic opportunities.

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Avoiding Equity Disputes with a Founders Agreement
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Avoiding Equity Disputes with a Founders Agreement

In the earliest days of your startup—when ideas are big and resources are tight—equity is often the most valuable currency. Yet without a clear, thoughtfully drafted founders agreement, even the strongest partnerships can fracture over “who owns what” down the road. Here’s how to use a founders agreement to head off equity disputes before they start.

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Launching a Web3 Startup? Legal Issues You Need to Think About Early
Liz Komatsu Liz Komatsu

Launching a Web3 Startup? Legal Issues You Need to Think About Early

Launching a Web3 startup is thrilling—but the decentralized, rapidly evolving nature of blockchain raises unique legal questions you need to address from Day One. Tackling these issues early not only reduces risk, it also positions you for smoother fundraising, partnerships, and growth. Here are the key areas to think about before you write your first smart contract.

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