We've spent years getting really good at helping businesses navigate the messy intersection of law and tech. Whether you're launching a startup or running a corporation, we've probably dealt with your exact situation before.
Look, corporate governance isn't exactly thrilling stuff, but it's the backbone that keeps your company from falling apart when things get complicated. We help set up board structures, draft bylaws that actually make sense, and keep you on the right side of regulators.
Over the years, we've seen too many companies get burned because they cut corners early on. Setting things up properly from day one saves you from expensive headaches down the road. We'll guide you through shareholder agreements, director responsibilities, and all that compliance paperwork that keeps the government happy.
Had a tech company come to us after their board meetings had basically become shouting matches. No proper procedures, unclear voting rights, the whole nine yards. We restructured their governance docs, implemented proper meeting protocols, and trained their directors on their actual duties. Six months later, they told us board meetings were "boring but productive" - exactly what you want to hear.
Your IP is probably worth more than all your physical assets combined, especially if you're in tech or creative industries. We handle everything from trademark registration to patent prosecution, and yeah, defending your stuff when someone tries to rip it off.
The patent process can be a real grind - it's not unusual for applications to take 2-3 years. We streamline it as much as possible and keep you updated without drowning you in legalese. Also handle copyright issues, trade secret protection, and licensing agreements so you can actually monetize what you've created.
Worked with a software startup that had an amazing algorithm but zero protection. A competitor started using something suspiciously similar. We filed for patent protection, registered their trademarks, and drafted cease-and-desist letters that actually worked. The competitor backed off, and the startup ended up licensing their tech to three other companies within a year.
Contracts are where deals either hold up or fall apart. We draft agreements that protect your interests without being so aggressive that they kill the deal. Been doing this long enough to know which clauses actually matter and which are just legal theater.
Whether it's supplier agreements, partnership contracts, or complex multi-party deals, we make sure you're covered. We also handle the negotiation side - pushing back on unreasonable terms and finding compromises that work for everyone. Our goal is deals that close and relationships that last.
Client was about to sign a vendor contract with a clause that would've bankrupted them if the vendor missed deadlines (which they did, constantly). We flagged it, renegotiated to include performance penalties instead of blanket liability, and added termination rights. Saved them roughly $400K when the vendor inevitably screwed up their first delivery.
Software licensing is its own beast - it's not like licensing physical products. We handle SaaS agreements, enterprise software licenses, API terms, and all the complex stuff around data ownership and usage rights. Also deal with open-source compliance, which more companies screw up than you'd think.
If you're developing software, we'll structure licenses that protect your code while letting customers actually use it productively. If you're buying software, we'll make sure you're not paying for restrictions that'll hamper your business six months down the line.
SaaS company was using standard templates they found online for their licensing. Turned out those templates gave customers way too many rights and left the company exposed to massive liability. We rewrote their entire licensing framework, added proper limitation clauses, and structured their pricing tiers legally. Revenue went up 30% just from being able to enforce their actual terms.
M&A deals are intense - lots of moving parts, tight deadlines, and huge amounts of money on the line. We've guided dozens of companies through acquisitions, mergers, and exits. Our job is making sure you don't get screwed in due diligence and that the deal terms reflect actual value.
We handle everything from letters of intent to closing documents, and we coordinate with accountants and financial advisors to keep the process moving. Been through enough deals to spot red flags early and know which issues are dealbreakers vs. which are just negotiating points.
Company was selling to a larger competitor. Initial offer looked great until we dug into the earnout provisions - basically impossible to hit and designed to save the buyer millions. We renegotiated the earnout structure, added floor guarantees, and got them $2.3M more in the final deal. Due diligence also uncovered some IP issues we fixed before they became deal-killers.
Employment law in Canada is a minefield, especially with remote work and gig economy stuff changing the landscape. We help companies draft employment contracts, contractor agreements, and workplace policies that keep you compliant with provincial and federal regulations.
Also handle the messy stuff - terminations, workplace investigations, and disputes before they turn into lawsuits. Our approach is protecting your business while treating people fairly. Being a jerk to employees might feel good in the moment, but it costs way more in the long run.
Tech company was classifying all their developers as contractors to save on benefits. We flagged that it probably wouldn't hold up under CRA scrutiny - and it didn't. Before they got audited, we helped them reclassify employees properly, fix their payroll setup, and restructure contracts. Avoided penalties that would've been in the six figures, plus the PR nightmare.