Our work with startups encompasses advice with respect to (i) the critical considerations related to corporate formation and choice of entity; (ii) equity allocation among founders and vesting; (iii) the adoption of an equity incentive plan to attract and retain key people; and (iv) the various critical agreements that are necessary for establishing a strong foundation for growth, such as consulting agreements, employee agreements and non-disclosure agreements. Additionally, our tax lawyers carefully help clients adopt tax-favorable structures for the entity, its founders and its investors.
During this period we also assist companies with important decisions regarding their intellectual property. We frequently call upon attorneys from our Intellectual Property Practice Group to ensure that critical intellectual property assets are properly identified and protected. In parallel, clients often require our guidance with respect to early stage funding such as angel or seed-stage venture capital. We help structure these transactions and we advise our clients on all aspects of the financing process, including assisting them in choosing the most appropriate form of security, such as convertible notes, SAFEs (simple agreement for future equity), and series seed preferred stock.
The clients that spend their seed financing wisely soon find themselves navigating the more exacting venture capital fundraising process. Our attorneys thoroughly understand all the terms inherent in a venture capital financing, and are highly skilled in guiding clients through these critical transactions. Our lawyers appreciate the fact that venture capital investors are also long-term business partners of the emerging companies in which they invest. With this in mind, we help our clients maintain focus on the big picture throughout these milestone events, always aware that the person sitting across the table will soon be on the same side. A successful venture financing leaves all parties feeling energized at the onset of what is often a long and exciting journey together.
With institutional financing secured, our clients then have the resources to “build out” the company. This includes hiring key people in all departments, and moving more deeply into the commercial phase of building the business. During this phase of the life cycle, as more specialized needs arise, we bring the full range of complementary services to bear for our clients’ needs, including our Employment Group and our Licensing and Strategic Alliance Group. This is often a period of significant change, with new people joining the team, others leaving, and emotions running high as the client pushes to establish commercial viability in the market to set up for a successful next-stage funding, or perhaps to establish positive cash flow.
As a company expands its team and brings its products to market, it may fairly be described as “emerging”. It is shedding its start-up roots and taking on the appearance and organization of a more mature company. It is not yet likely to be completely free of the need for outside capital, and the company still might be constantly refining and revising its product and go-to-market strategy. However, these internal changes tend to be less noticeable from outside the company, and, from all outward appearances, the course is steady and fast- paced, as the company strives to become a consequential player in its field. A new company that successfully attracts business from already-established competitors, and that makes its presence widely felt in the marketplace, will attract the attention of strategic buyers and will likely have opportunities to consider M&A liquidity event options. The expertise of our M&A practice group is vital at this stage of development; our seasoned attorneys deftly lead our emerging company clients through the high- stakes game of a successful exit. Alternatively, for clients that choose to remain independent, our team will adapt their advice to the needs and preferences of the client, including providing advice in connection with an IPO.
Regardless of where your company currently falls along the emerging company spectrum, we invite you to contact us to learn more about how our team- oriented approach can help you achieve your goals.
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- Name/Title
- Direct Dial
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Carl F. Barnes
Of Counsel - 781-697-2238
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Carl F. Barnes
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Daniel J. Blanchard
Member - 781-697-2216
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Daniel J. Blanchard
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Scott R. Bleier
Member - 781-697-2297
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Scott R. Bleier
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Michael J. Cavaretta
Member - 781-697-2263
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Michael J. Cavaretta
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Peter F. Cifichiello
Senior Attorney - 781-697-2200
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Peter F. Cifichiello
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Richard D. Cocci
Member - 781-697-2261
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Richard D. Cocci
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David M. Czarnecki
Member - 781-697-2285
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David M. Czarnecki
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Justin B. Emery
Associate - 781-697-2270
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Justin B. Emery
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Stacey C. Friends
Member - 781-697-2277
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Stacey C. Friends
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Jonathan D. Gworek
Member - 781-697-2229
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Jonathan D. Gworek
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John Hession
Retired
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John Hession
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Joseph E. Hunt IV
Member - 781-697-2272
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Joseph E. Hunt IV
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Michael R. Jabbawy
Member - 781-697-2209
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Michael R. Jabbawy
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Faith D. Kasparian
Member - 781-697-2231
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Faith D. Kasparian
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Mary Beth Kerrigan
Member - 781-697-2228
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Mary Beth Kerrigan
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Joseph C. Marrow
Member - 781-697-2246
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Joseph C. Marrow
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Joseph R. Martinez
Member - 781-697-2244
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Joseph R. Martinez
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Matthew L. Mitchell
Member - 617-227-1080
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Matthew L. Mitchell
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Lea B. Pendleton
Retired - 781-622-5930
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Lea B. Pendleton
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Ryan J. Perry
Senior Attorney - 781-697-2271
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Ryan J. Perry
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Elizabeth A. Resteghini
Senior Attorney - 781-697-2279
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Elizabeth A. Resteghini
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Monica B. Sax
Associate - 781-697-2283
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Monica B. Sax
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Amanda E. Schreyer
Member - 781-697-2293
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Amanda E. Schreyer
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Jeremy P. Siegel
Associate - 781-697-2222
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Jeremy P. Siegel
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Ryan A. Whelpley
Associate - 781-697-2220
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Ryan A. Whelpley
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Charles A. Wry Jr.
Member - 781-697-2226
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Charles A. Wry Jr.
News
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Morse Serves as Counsel to KPM Analytics in Acquisition of AI Developer Smart Vision Works
March 15, 2023 -
Morse Serves as Counsel to Agrivida in Acquisition by Novus International, Inc.
February 14, 2023 -
Morse Serves as Counsel to Shoobx in Acquisition by Fidelity Investments
January 11, 2023 -
Morse Welcomes Justin Emery to the Firm
February 08, 2022 -
Morse Announces 2022 Attorney Elevations
January 10, 2022 -
Morse Welcomes Corporate Associate Jeremy Siegel
March 09, 2021 -
Corporate Attorneys Peter Cifichiello and Richard Cocci Join Morse
November 16, 2020 -
COVID-19 Alert: Administrative Tax Relief
Massachusetts Extends Administrative Tax Relief for Small Businesses
September 18, 2020 -
COVID-19 Alert: Re-Call of Employees to the Worksite
Post-Quarantine Workplace: A Return-to-Work Guide
April 27, 2020 -
Surviving as a Tenant In the Age of Coronavirus:
A Checklist
April 22, 2020
Events
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WEBINAR: Intellectual Property (IP) Basics: A Primer on Patent, Trademark, and Copyright
Event Date: May 11, 2023 12:00 pm -
WEBINAR: Effective Contract Drafting and Negotiation to Close Deals Quickly
Event Date: October 20, 2022 9:00 am -
WEBINAR: Corporate and Employment Considerations for Entrepreneurs Starting a Business
Event Date: September 22, 2022 12:00 pm
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Particles Plus Exemplifies What Employers Can Do to Help Protect Employees During COVID-19
April 15, 2020
Particles Plus manufactures products that are at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the company's particle counter found in isolation rooms. Morse worked with leadership, helping to put plans in place to protect employees while continuing to produce these essential devices.
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Harnessing Powerful Data Assets with eClinical’s Intelligent Data Analytics and Management
March 14, 2019
Morse manages the corporate needs of eClinical, a clinical trial management software and services provider for large and mid-size pharma companies, and has been fortunate to do so since the Company's inception.
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Privy’s Platform Empowers Marketers and Helps Businesses Grow
December 14, 2017
Morse supports Privy's legal needs – from financing to privacy policies - so Privy can focus on empowering marketers to build more customer relationships, faster.