Building a startup is one of the most exciting — and legally complex — undertakings you will face. From your first entity formation to your first funding round, every decision has legal consequences. Ozek Law Firm is the startup founder's trusted legal partner from day one.
At Ozek Law Firm, we understand that founders move fast and resources are precious. Our startup law practice is built specifically for early-stage and growth-stage companies — providing the legal infrastructure they need to operate safely, raise capital, protect their innovations, and scale with confidence.
We have counseled founders from initial concept through incorporation, first hires, investor agreements, funding rounds, commercial contracts, and beyond. We know the questions founders ask — and the ones they do not know to ask yet — and we provide counsel that is both legally precise and commercially actionable.
With licenses in D.C., MD, NY and the Istanbul Bar, we serve startups domestically and internationally — advising U.S.-based founders as well as international entrepreneurs looking to establish their company in the United States.
Our startup law practice covers the full legal lifecycle of a company — from the moment you decide to build something to the day you scale, exit, or pass it on.
Choosing the right entity type is one of the most consequential decisions a founder makes. We advise on LLC vs. C-Corp vs. S-Corp tradeoffs — considering tax treatment, investment-readiness, equity structure, and long-term exit options — and handle all state filings to get you incorporated correctly from day one.
Co-founder disputes are one of the leading causes of startup failure. We draft founder agreements that clearly define equity splits, vesting schedules, roles and responsibilities, decision-making authority, IP assignment, and what happens if a co-founder leaves — protecting the company before conflict ever arises.
Capital raises are exciting — and legally complex. We structure and document every stage of your fundraising journey, from pre-seed SAFEs and convertible notes to priced seed and Series A rounds. Our attorneys draft term sheets, investment agreements, and investor rights agreements that protect your equity position and keep the cap table clean.
For most startups, intellectual property is the most valuable asset on the balance sheet. We help you identify, protect, and leverage your IP — from trademark registration and copyright protection to trade secret policies and IP assignment agreements that ensure the company — not the founders individually — owns every innovation.
Building your team is exhilarating — but misclassified workers, poorly drafted offer letters, and missing equity plan documents are among the most common startup legal mistakes. We set up your employment and contractor frameworks correctly from the first hire — creating offer letters, equity plan documents, NDAs, and contractor agreements that protect both the company and its people.
As your startup grows, the volume and complexity of commercial contracts increases rapidly. We serve as ongoing outside general counsel — reviewing and drafting customer agreements, SaaS terms of service, master service agreements, vendor contracts, privacy policies, and data processing agreements — giving founders reliable legal support without the cost of in-house counsel.
Startup legal needs evolve rapidly. We provide the right counsel at the right moment — from idea to incorporation to exit.
Entity type selection, Delaware vs. home state analysis, founder agreement drafting, initial IP assignment, and co-founder NDA. Getting the legal foundation right before you spend a dollar on product.
Employment setup, contractor agreements, first customer contracts, IP assignment from all contributors, trademark filings, privacy policies, and basic corporate governance — building the operating infrastructure for a compliant, investor-ready company.
SAFE and convertible note preparation, term sheet review, priced round documentation, investor rights agreements, cap table management, 409A valuation coordination, and securities compliance — raising capital on terms that protect your equity.
As the company grows, legal needs expand rapidly. Commercial contract infrastructure, expanded employment policies, compliance programs, international expansion support, regulatory licensing, and corporate governance improvements — ensuring legal keeps pace with growth.
When your startup reaches acquisition or IPO stage, legal preparation becomes critical. We advise on M&A readiness, due diligence preparation, sale process representation, acquisition agreement negotiation, and post-closing obligations — ensuring you maximize value when the moment arrives.
Our startup law practice serves founders and companies at every stage — from the solo entrepreneur with an idea and a laptop to the growth-stage company closing its Series B. We bring the same depth of legal expertise and commercial awareness to each engagement, scaled to where you are right now.
“We do not just help you survive the legal side of building a company — we help you build it the right way from the start, so there are no surprises when investors, acquirers, or regulators come looking.”
Tolga Ozek — Founding PrincipalSolo founders and co-founding teams at the formation stage — getting incorporated, structuring equity, protecting IP, and setting up the legal foundation before the first investor writes a check.
Companies that have raised institutional capital and need ongoing outside general counsel — managing commercial contracts, compliance, employment law, cap table issues, and investor relations documentation.
Foreign entrepreneurs looking to incorporate in the U.S. — advising on entity formation strategy, Delaware vs. other states, banking setup, tax considerations, and visa options for founders relocating to the U.S.
Post-seed companies scaling their teams, commercial operations, and technology — needing a reliable outside general counsel to manage the expanding legal surface area without building a full in-house legal team.
At Ozek Law Firm, we understand that startups need legal counsel that moves at the speed of business — precise, commercially aware, and built for founders who cannot afford to wait. Our startup practice delivers exactly that: expert legal support at every stage, scaled to where you are, and always focused on enabling your growth.
From entity formation and founder agreements to fundraising, IP, employment, and M&A — we cover every legal dimension of the startup journey under one roof, so you never have to coordinate between multiple firms.
We speak the language of startups. We understand SAFEs, convertible notes, cap tables, vesting cliffs, 409As, and term sheets — and we advise on them without unnecessary complexity or legalese.
Licensed in D.C., MD, NY and the Istanbul Bar, we are uniquely positioned to advise international founders incorporating in the U.S. — navigating entity setup, banking, tax structure, and founder visa options from a single firm.
We become your ongoing outside general counsel — available when you need us, proactive about what you do not yet know to ask, and committed to your company's legal health from formation through exit.
Attorney-at-Law — Startup Law & Business Formation
Tolga Ozek brings over 13 years of experience advising founders, startups, and growth-stage companies across the full legal lifecycle — from first incorporation and founder agreements through fundraising, IP protection, employment setup, and eventual exit. Licensed in D.C., MD, NY and the Istanbul Bar, he is a trusted outside general counsel for founders who need expert legal guidance that moves at the pace of their ambition.
Whether you are just starting out or scaling fast, Ozek Law Firm is ready to be your trusted startup legal counsel. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward building your company on a foundation that will support everything you are working toward.
