Represented [Client] in its Series Seed led by [Fund].
B2B SaaS2026
Boutique counsel · San Francisco
Strategic legal architecture for high-growth founders.
From pre-seed incorporation through high-stakes exits, Bend Law Group delivers bespoke outside general counsel and transaction leadership.
0+
Ventures represented
$XXM+
Capital transacted
XXyrs
Advising Bay Area founders
[Industry
accolade]
accolade]
Recognition placeholder
The Lifecycle Matrix
One firm, from first filing to final close.
Founders shouldn't need a new law firm every time the company changes shape. We map counsel to each stage, so the work you did at formation keeps paying off at exit.
Stage 01 — Launch
Get the foundation right before anyone else is in the room.
Clean formation, fair founder splits and airtight IP assignment — the decisions investors will diligence later.
Explore Formation →A
Formation
Delaware C-corp or California entity, structured for venture.
View scope →BEquity Splits
Founder allocation, vesting, acceleration and 83(b) timing.
View scope →CIP Assignment
CIIAs and prior-invention carve-outs, done once and done right.
View scope →DAdvisor Grants
Advisor agreements and early option pool sizing.
View scope →Stage 02 — Scale
A general counsel's judgment, without the headcount.
Fractional outside GC for the contracts, hires and leases that come with growth.
Explore General Counsel →A
Outside GC
A standing partner relationship, priced as a retainer.
View scope →BEmployment
California-specific hiring, classification and policies.
View scope →CCommercial Leases
Office and studio leases negotiated in your favor.
View scope →DCommercial Contracts
MSAs, SaaS terms and vendor agreements.
View scope →Stage 03 — Fund
Raise on terms you'll still like at Series B.
Priced rounds, SAFE strategy and cap table governance that keeps control where it belongs.
Explore Capital →Stage 04 — Exit
The last negotiation should be the best one.
Sell-side and buy-side transactions led by partners who know your company's history.
Explore M&A →Film
Small Firm Attention. Big Firm Results.Bend Law Group
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The Partner Narrative
Why founders stay with us from formation to exit.
- Partner-level attention on every matter, not delegated to a rotating bench.
- Fixed and predictable pricing for the moments that matter most.
- One continuous record of your company — every decision, in context.
Clients & Transactions
Trusted by companies building what's next.
A representative selection of venture-backed startups and San Francisco institutions. Logos shown as placeholders.
Northwind
Halcyon
Vantage
Meridian
Lumen
Arbor&Co
Fieldstone
Parallel
Oakline
Cobalt
Tessera
Kinfolk
Advised [Client] on its acquisition by [Strategic Acquirer].
Consumer tech2025
Company counsel to [Client] in its Series A led by [Fund].
Climate2025
The Firm & Attorneys
Counsel you'llactually know.
A deliberately small bench of partners and associates. Every client works directly with the attorney whose name is on the engagement letter.
Stage 01 · Launch
CompanyFormation
The structure you choose in week one shows up in every diligence request after it. We build it to hold.
The problem
Most formation mistakes are invisible until a term sheet arrives.
Uneven founder vesting, missing IP assignments, a missed 83(b) window. None of it hurts on day one, and all of it becomes expensive — and sometimes deal-threatening — at the first priced round.
Legal frameworks
What we put in place.
01Entity & jurisdiction
Delaware C-corp vs. California entity, chosen for your path to capital.
02Founder equity
Restricted stock, vesting, acceleration and §83(b) elections.
03IP chain of title
Assignment agreements that leave nothing to argue about later.
Engagement scopes
Clear scope. Predictable fees.
Foundation
Incorporation, bylaws, founder stock, 83(b) filings.
Foundation + IP
Everything above, plus CIIAs and prior-IP assignment.
Venture-ready
Full stack plus option plan and advisor agreements.
Questions founders ask
FAQ
Should we incorporate in Delaware or California?
Most venture-backed companies form in Delaware for its predictable corporate law and investor familiarity, then register to do business in California. We walk through the tradeoffs for your specific plans.
When do we need to file an 83(b) election?
Within 30 days of the stock grant — no extensions. We handle the filing as part of every formation engagement.
How should co-founders split equity?
There's no formula, but there are frameworks. We help founders weigh contribution, commitment and role, then protect the outcome with vesting.
Can you work with our existing entity?
Yes. Clean-up engagements are common, from conversions to fixing missing IP assignments before a raise.