Many market-leading companies came to Perkins Coie for counsel early in their existence. The services we provide are tailored to individual client needs and objectives, and they change throughout the arc of a company's growth.

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Overview

Many market-leading companies came to Perkins Coie for counsel early in their existence. The services we provide are tailored to individual client needs and objectives, and they change throughout the arc of a company's growth.

We advise emerging companies on startup company formations, independent contractor issues, early to late stage financings, venture debt, intellectual property protection, technology licensing and acquisitions, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and dispute counseling, among other areas.

From Birth to Maturity, Emerging Companies Have Diverse Needs

They are best served, therefore, by law firms that can efficiently access the best talent in a wide range of areas. Our emerging companies’ team features top-flight attorneys in such critical areas as intellectual property, executive compensation, employment, litigation and personal planning. Our teams work to provide seamless, end-to-end solutions to our clients. We know that emerging companies value continuity and consistency in their working relationships. Accordingly, we neither outsource client projects nor staff on a project-to-project basis. Instead, a dedicated client service team is assigned to each emerging company client.

We advise emerging companies on startup company formations, independent contractor issues, early to late stage financings, venture debt, intellectual property protection, technology licensing and acquisitions, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and dispute counseling, among other areas.

From Birth to Maturity, Emerging Companies Have Diverse Needs

They are best served, therefore, by law firms that can efficiently access the best talent in a wide range of areas. Our emerging companies’ team features top-flight attorneys in such critical areas as intellectual property, executive compensation, employment, litigation and personal planning. Our teams work to provide seamless, end-to-end solutions to our clients. We know that emerging companies value continuity and consistency in their working relationships. Accordingly, we neither outsource client projects nor staff on a project-to-project basis. Instead, a dedicated client service team is assigned to each emerging company client.

Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Group Resources


Investor ServicesPerkins Coie’s Startup & Investor Services team works directly with early-stage clients to optimize their fundraising potential through business planning, pitch material development, investor targeting, and various growth initiatives. By leveraging our extensive network and firm relationships, we identify new business opportunities, sources of funding, strategic partnerships, and impact strategies for clients and investors.
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An interactive website that gives entrepreneurs access to programs, resources, and rich, dynamic content to guide companies through the start-up process.

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At Perkins Coie, we help level the business leadership playing field with our Le[a]dBetter® program.

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Working with great companies has taught us a few universal truths that have shaped the values and practices of the Perkins Coie Emerging Companies practice.

Pursuing Perishable Market Opportunities, Entrepreneurs Need Counsel Who Work at Their Speed

Our team is efficient, accessible and responsive. We know our clients count on us to find solutions, not raise barriers. We believe a problem is something to be solved, not something to derail progress.

Technology Companies Need Lawyers Who Are Comfortable With Technology

Not all of our emerging company clients are technology companies, but most of them are. We are inspired by the technologies and services they have developed, and our technically savvy professionals have the perspective of end-users as well as attorneys. Our knowledge of technology helps us to fully understand our clients’ businesses, which is critical to providing top-notch legal service.

Money Is the Lifeblood of an Emerging Company

We help clients raise money by maintaining relationships with key venture capital groups and other potential investors. We know market terms and have a negotiating style that gets our clients the best deals possible—while preserving strong relationships with investors (some of whom will become board members)—by working efficiently and offering creative billing arrangements so we can be sure to provide great value.

Venture Capital

Investors value law firms that offer investor contacts in addition to extensive experience in venture capital and private investments. Perkins Coie is a recognized leader in venture capital transactions, representing both companies seeking financing and venture capital firms seeking to invest. Our expansive network enables us to introduce our clients to our venture capital contacts, which, in turn, helps the companies seeking funding and the venture capital firms seeking new investments.

Our attorneys have handled hundreds of venture capital deals. Our representation of emerging growth companies and venture capital firms provides us with broad and deep experience negotiating and closing financing transactions quickly and efficiently. As a full-service firm, we also offer emerging growth companies counsel on a wide range of critical early-stage business activities, including structuring outsourcing arrangements, negotiating trade secret and non-compete agreements with employees, and developing key customer and vendor contracts.

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StartupPercolator

In our partnership with clients, we act as an extension of their startup teams. Clients count on us to be proactive, provide advice and guide them, helping to avoid issues before they arise. By reshaping the attorney-client relationship, we’ve earned the trust of entrepreneurs and investors and are recognized as one of the leading venture capital practices in the United States.

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Recognition

  • Named one of the “Top 5 Law Firms for Startups" by Kruze Consulting, 2019
  • Ranked Tier 1 Nationally for Venture Capital by US News - Best Lawyers, 2012  2019
  • Ranked Tier 1 Nationally for Corporate Law by US News - Best Lawyers, 2012  2019
  • Ranked Nationally for Startups & Venture Capital by Chambers USA, 2015  2019
  • Ranked for California Corporate/M&A: Venture Capital by Chambers USA, 2011  2019
  • Recognized as a “VC Preferred Firmby The American Lawyer, 2018
  • Recognized as one of the Most Recommended Law Firms According to Legal Decision Makers by BTI Consulting Group, 2018
  • Ranked Nationally for Corporate and M&A Law by IFLR 1000, 2018
  • Named the Go-To BigLaw Firm for Silicon Valley for Entrepreneurs by JD Journal, 2017
  • Named a “Leader” Among Tech-savvy Law Firms by BTI Brand Elite, 2016
  • Named one of the Top 4 Law Firms in Silicon Valley, According to Tech Entrepreneurs by Magazine, 2016

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