CONTENT CENTER
Statutory – not Shareholder – Activism: Governor Newsom Signs California’s Diversity Mandate into Law
By Jen Rubin
California has enacted the nation’s first diversity mandate for public company boards. As we previously reported, the new law (AB 979) builds upon California’s first-in-the-nation statutory gender mandate for public company boards.
Formation 101: Founder Stock and Vesting
In the second installment of Mintz’s multi-part series addressing common questions relating to establishing a new enterprise, Sam Effron and Sebastian Lucier discuss the issuance of shares to the founders, the mechanics and reasoning behind vesting and some important tax consequences relating to share issuances.
Key Considerations: Board of Director Composition and Director Recruiting in Early Stage Companies
By Christina Balestracci
The board of directors governs the activities of a company, overseeing and advising management while upholding its fiduciary duties to the company’s shareholders. A board is tasked with making high-level decisions, approving major policies and supervising performance and company strategy. Given its significant role, there are several important and strategic factors to consider when structuring a board of directors.
MintzEdge 101: The Value Of Mentors – John Morris, Vistage Chair
In this podcast, Jeremy Glaser discusses with John M. Morris the value of mentors and the role they can play in both early stage and later stage companies.
California’s New Independent Contractor Law — What Your Emerging Growth Business Needs to Know
In this episode of MintzEdge’s From the Edge podcast, Jeremy Glaser speaks with Jen Rubin about AB 5 — California’s recently enacted law banning most types of independent contractors, the financial impact of that law on start-ups and emerging growth employers, and the changes in hiring methods employers need to make now in order to comply with the law’s provisions.
California Law Impacts All Categories of Independent Contractors – Not Just Gig Workers – What Your Business Needs to Do Now
By Jennifer B. Rubin & Audrey Nguyen
California Governor Gavin Newsom has now signed AB 5 into law, effectively ban nearly all categories of independent contractors – not just gig economy workers. AB 5 will become effective on January 1, 2020 for all businesses that contract with individuals who perform services in California.
Creating a Board of Directors: Key Considerations for Startup Companies
By Keunjung Cho
One of the most important decisions that a startup entrepreneur can make is creating a board of directors that will assist the entrepreneur in growing and governing the business. A company’s board of directors is tasked with overseeing and advising management, making key decisions about the company’s business strategies, and representing the interests of the company and its stockholders.
Five Common Equity Incentive Plan Mistakes
Equity Incentive Plans (aka, Stock Option Plans) are a standard feature in nearly every start-up. Although the basic concept (granting an equity interest to an employee or other service provider) is simple enough, there are a few administrative and legal technicalities that need to be respected. Below is a list of five common mistakes that start-ups make when administering their Equity Incentive Plans.
How to Distribute Equity in Your Start-Up
By Patrick Elahmadie
The purpose of granting equity to management, employees and certain consultants is to align the interests of the parties pivotal to the growth of your company with the interests of investors. There are a number of different ways to grant equity in a start-up, the most common of which is stock options
Employment Law Basics In California
Jennifer Rubin, a Member in the Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice, and Sebastian Lucier, a Member in the Venture Capital & Emerging Companies Practice, discuss employment law related matters for companies operating in the state of California, including the challenges relating to characterizing an individual as an employee rather than an independent contractor.
MintzEdge Entrepreneur Perspective: Building for Success - John Sarkisian (Motion Ventures)
In this podcast, Jeff Belk, an early employee of Qualcomm and serial entrepreneur and investor, explains why it is important to build a great board of directors and how to communicate to your board most effectively.
MintzEdge 101: Why Your Startup Needs A CFO – Jeff Gilford (BlackFord Partners)
In this podcast, Jeremy Glaser, co-chair of Mintz Levin’s Venture Capital & Emerging Companies Practice, discusses the role of the CFO in growing companies with Jeff Gilford, co-founder and principal of BlackFord Partners, Inc.
New York City Bans Salary History Inquiries
By Alexander Song
In accordance with a new regulation that took effect on October 31st, 2017, New York City employers are now prohibited from inquiring about or relying on salary history during the hiring process.
MintzEdge 101: Why Your Management Team Is So Important - Carrie Stone (CStone & Associates)
In this podcast, Carrie Stone discusses the importance of management in the financing process and how venture capitalists assess management teams prior to making an investment decision.
Are You An Owner Or Employee? The Inflexibility of the Federal Tax Rules To Be Treated As Both
By Dan Wilcox and Scott Pinarchick
Over the last twenty years or so, the limited liability company (“LLC”) has become a popular entity choice as a business entity. An LLC offers a great deal of flexibility in how it is structured and operates, including the ability for its owners to decide to be classified as a partnership, S corporation, C corporation or, if there is only one owner, to be disregarded as an entity for federal income tax purposes.
Complementary Team Members - Marc Andreessen's Netscape Team
If Netscape didn't do this, it probably would not have changed the world. Find out why complementary team members are essential to your company's success.
Managing Your Board of Directors - Why Honest, Open Communication Matters
Want to keep your job as CEO? Jeremy Glaser believes that you need to treat your board like you treat others in all successful relationships - from your company to your marriage!
Avoid Rookie Entrepreneur Mistakes - Asking the Right, Experienced People
Asking the right people for the right advice can mean everything for your startup.
The Gig Economy, Independent Contractors, and New York Law
The gig economy (on-demand work) is a disruptive factor in many industries, including the housing market (Airbnb, Homeaway), transportation services (Uber, Lyft, Juno, Via), delivery services (Postmates, Caviar, Instacart), and beauty services (Glamsquad, The Glam App). Time Magazine conducted a study which revealed that more than 90 million U.S. adults have participated in the gig economy, with at least 45 million U.S. adults earning income as a provider ofThe Gig Economy, Independent Contractors, and New York Law such goods or services.
Building a Startup Team - "Smartest Person in the Room" Syndrome
Watch Jeremy Glaser discuss how building a team with various skills is a recipe for success.
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