Legal Checklist

Overview

Walks through the legal and compliance requirements every startup needs before launch. Missing these is not just risky - some (like GDPR) carry significant fines. This skill identifies what you need, what order to do it in, and what you can DIY vs what needs a lawyer.

Important: This provides educational guidance, not legal advice. Consult a startup lawyer for anything consequential.

Area 1: Business Entity

Get this right before signing any contracts or accepting money.

Entity types:

• LLC: Simple, flexible, pass-through taxation. Good for solo founders or small teams.
• C-Corp (Delaware): Required by most VCs. Preferred stock, option pools, and standard fundraising documents are built for C-Corps. If you plan to raise venture capital, incorporate as a Delaware C-Corp.
• S-Corp: Pass-through taxation like LLC but with shareholder restrictions. Not suitable for VC-backed startups.