EQUITY COMPENSATION & STOCK OPTION PLANS ✅ BUSINESS ✅ SERVICES

Attorney's Actions:

analysis of the business model and legal structure of the company;
review of the readiness of corporate documents (articles of association, founders' agreements, shareholder agreements);
identification of tax risks and implications for the employer and employees.

Attorney's Actions:

determining the type of compensation: ISO (Incentive Stock Options), NSO (Non-Qualified Stock Options), or RSU (Restricted Stock Units);
modeling the vesting schedule (e.g., 4 years with a 1-year cliff);
forming a pool of shares for future options;
coordination with accountants and tax consultants to avoid penalties (e.g., under Section 409A).

Attorney's Actions:

preparation of the Equity Incentive Plan and Stock Option Agreement;
amending corporate documents (if necessary);
preparation of internal policies for stock accounting and transfer;
ensuring compliance with SEC requirements and local laws.

Let us know what you did not like, we are working on improving our service every day!

Set up stock compensation and stock option programs in the USA

Today, more and more companies in the USA understand that money is not the only way to retain talented people. Equity compensation planning is becoming essential as a strategic tool. Equity compensation and stock option programs work much more effectively. It is both motivation and a way to make an employee feel like a true partner in the business. But behind this beautiful idea lies a serious legal foundation. And if it is built incorrectly, you can lose both the team's trust and investor interest. Understanding what is an equity compensation plan helps ensure your program meets legal and operational standards.

What is included in the service?

We guide the company from idea to practical plan implementation. This typically includes:

Creating and customizing equity incentive plan tailored to your corporate structure.
Preparing agreements for stock options, RSUs, restricted stock, or other forms, as illustrated in an equity incentive plan example.
Analyzing tax implications to determine is equity compensation taxable and ensure neither the business nor the employees face unexpected penalties.
Legally formalizing changes in corporate documents and documenting equity based compensation plan details.
Advising on how to properly present the program to the team so it motivates and demonstrates how equity compensation works in practice.

All of the above steps provide benefits for the company.

Why involve an attorney?

Many think: "What's so complicated? We'll give employees stock, and everyone is happy." In reality, every line in a document can become critical. Without a lawyer, it's easy to end up in a situation where:

The program does not comply with SEC requirements: reviewing equity incentive plan sec guidelines is essential;
Employees receive a tax burden instead of a benefit, highlighting the importance of equity incentive plan tax treatment;
Investors ask questions for which there are no clear answers: here, the attorney acts as a partner who organizes everything, clarifying what does equity mean in compensation and proper procedures.

Here, the attorney acts not just as an advisor, but as a partner who organizes everything: what is allowed, what is risky, and what is strictly forbidden.

What exactly does the attorney do?

The work always starts with understanding your situation. If the company has just raised its first investment round — the approach is one. If you are preparing for an IPO — it's completely different. The lawyer:

Analyzes the company's structure and its goals, considering types of equity incentive plans that fit best.
Proposes the optimal program variant (be it options, RSUs, or equity incentive plan private company).
Prepares all documentation and assists in negotiations.
Reviews the tax aspects and explains how do equity incentive plans work to avoid unnecessary costs.
Stays by your side throughout the process, adapting to scale and changes, including employee equity compensation plan administration.

So if you have any doubts about whether you need legal assistance, we recommend that you first seek advice to understand the situation.

When and under what conditions is the service needed?

Legal support is needed if you:

Plan to motivate the team with stock or options, using equity compensation programs as a strategic tool;
Want to attract investors without “gray areas” in documents, ensuring equity compensation plan administration is clear;
Have received requests from employees regarding company ownership participation, such as equity and comp planning inquiries. ;
Are preparing for the next investment round or an IPO.

And most importantly: this service is relevant for both small startups and mature companies. The difference is only in scale and level of requirements.

Benefits for clients

In addition to legal formalization, you also get practical bonuses:

ready answers for investors and employees regarding equity compensation plan information table;
a clear understanding of tax implications;
minimized conflicts between founders and the team;
the feeling that you have a professional standing behind you, protecting your interests.

We understand that not only theoretical knowledge is important, but also practical advice, which is why our clients will receive it as well.

Conclusion

Equity compensation and stock option programs are a strategic tool that can become the driving force of your business. An attorney involved on time saves years of stress and hundreds of thousands of dollars, turning complex structures into simple solutions, demonstrating equity compensation examples in practice.

Reviews

From Real Users

Olivia M.

05.09.2025

The service made a great impression! The lawyer carefully studied the specifics of our company, explained all the tax nuances and risks. We received a clear option program and complete confidence.

Andrii K.

Overall, everything was at a high level, especially the consultations on the vesting schedule. The only drawback — some answers took longer than expected.

Sophie L.

Very professional support. All documents were prepared quickly, and the explanations were so clear that even the team without legal background understood everything.

Mykhailo P.

I am satisfied with the result and the lawyer’s attitude. However, I would have liked to see a few more practical case examples.

Katarzyna W.

Perfect work! From the initial consultation to the final approval of the plan — everything was precise, on time, and professional. I especially appreciated that our investment plans were considered.

Daniel R.

The service exceeded expectations. Documents, negotiations, even employee explanations — everything is 10/10. Feels like working with an international-level team.