Launching a startup is a roller coaster of a ride: The achievement highs and the failure lows can make an entrepreneur's head spin. Pile on the necessary paperwork to keep a business in good standing, and an endeavor may seem impossible.
Not only can legal issues bog down your day-to-day activities of running a startup, but if not done correctly, it can cost you an arm and a leg.
Peter Buckland feels your pain. As a lawyer at WilmerHale, a firm that provides advice to startups and more established companies, he has seen his fair share of legal issues. That said, he feels entrepreneurs must be prepared for these obstacles from the get go.
"Entrepreneurs can increase their chance of success by getting good business and legal counsel early on," Buckland says. "We help them avoid common pitfalls, work through unexpected challenges through informed decision making and hopefully, allow them to more fully focus on the key aspects of their business."
Related: How to Protect Your Business Ideas
Lawyer Peter Buckland of WilmerHale
Can we get a hallelujah?
With more than 15 years of experience, Buckland has been helping people figure out the ins-and-outs of running a business without getting in hot water over issues like regulations, filings, agreements and financial information. While he is familiar with numerous industries, his areas of expertise includes software, internet and digital media, devices, energy and clean technology. Because of his experience and knowledge, Buckland was recognized in the 2009-2013 editions of Northern California Super Lawyers. His firm has also been featured in Silicon Valley Business Journal in its "Top 10 Largest Silicon Valley Law Firms."
Related: 5 Hiring Practices to Keep You Out of Hot Water With the IRS
So instead of forking over hundreds of dollars for advice from an attorney, now is your chance to get it for free. For the month of December, Buckland is eager to tackle your burning questions each week. Feel free to ask questions relating to legal issues, including funding, setting up board of directors and advisors, developing an exit strategy, acquisitions, crowdfunding and what an entrepreneur needs to do when launching a company.
Submit your questions in the comments section below or tweet us using the hashtag #ENTexpert