Our Team
John Smith
Founder & CEO
With over 20 years of experience in corporate law, John founded Founder's Counsel to provide specialized legal services to startups and entrepreneurs. His expertise includes venture capital financing and IP strategy.
Sarah Johnson
Senior Partner
Sarah specializes in employment law and corporate governance. She has successfully represented numerous tech startups in complex HR matters and brings a practical approach to legal challenges.
Michael Chen
Partner
Michael leads our intellectual property practice, helping clients protect their innovations. With degrees in both law and computer science, he bridges the gap between technology and legal strategy.
Our Mission
At Founder's Counsel, our mission is to empower entrepreneurs and innovators with the legal tools and strategic advice they need to build successful, sustainable businesses.
Core Values
- Client-Centric Approach: We prioritize understanding our clients' business goals to provide tailored legal solutions.
- Innovation: We continuously adapt our practice to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses.
- Integrity: We maintain the highest ethical standards in all our professional relationships.
- Collaboration: We work as partners with our clients, not just as service providers.
- Excellence: We strive for the highest quality in every aspect of our practice.
Our Vision
We envision a business landscape where every entrepreneur has access to premium legal counsel that understands the unique challenges of building and scaling companies in today's dynamic economy.
Our History
Founded in 2010, Founder's Counsel began as a boutique law firm serving tech startups in Silicon Valley. What started as a three-person operation has grown into a nationally recognized practice with offices in four major cities.
Our growth has been organic, driven by client referrals and our reputation for delivering exceptional results. We've deliberately maintained our boutique culture while expanding our capabilities to serve clients at every stage of their business lifecycle.
Today, we represent over 500 companies across various industries, from seed-stage startups to publicly traded corporations. Our team has grown to include specialists in every area of business law, allowing us to provide comprehensive counsel under one roof.
Our Approach
Strategic Partnership
We view our role as strategic partners rather than just legal advisors. Our attorneys take the time to understand your business objectives, industry challenges, and long-term vision.
This deep understanding allows us to provide advice that aligns with your business goals and helps you navigate legal complexities while maintaining focus on growth and innovation.
Practical Solutions
We pride ourselves on delivering practical, business-savvy solutions rather than just legal opinions. Our advice always considers the real-world implications for your operations and bottom line.
Whether it's structuring a deal, resolving a dispute, or navigating regulatory requirements, we focus on solutions that make business sense while protecting your interests.
Community Involvement
Beyond our client work, we're committed to giving back to the entrepreneurial community that has supported our growth. Our attorneys regularly volunteer at legal clinics, mentor startup founders, and participate in educational programs.
We sponsor local entrepreneurship initiatives and provide pro bono services to select nonprofit organizations working to increase access to legal resources for underrepresented founders.
Each year, we dedicate hundreds of hours to community service and host free workshops on legal topics relevant to small business owners and startups.