The Lifecycle of a Start-Up
Description
This course explores the legal needs of a start-up at various stages of its growth cycle, from ideation through to the sale of the business. Students will analyze the business and legal challenges faced by start-ups and consider practical solutions that translate legal analysis into actionable advice for founders.
This course will introduce students to the issues and questions that they will encounter as a lawyer for an entrepreneurial venture, but also looks at legal and business concepts from the perspective of the entrepreneur. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of legal issues, that may include but are not limited to, intellectual property, securities, entity formation, business operations, human resources, and tax. Additionally, students will explore the impact of legal technology and its impact on the profession.
Students will examine various stages in the development of a new venture including early ideation and business plan development, financing and scaling the organization, exploring strategic growth strategies such as acquisitions, and eventual exit strategies for founders. The course will also explore real-world examples of start-up successes and failures, emphasizing the role of legal counsel in mitigating risk and enabling business success.
A central component of the class will be a group assignment in which students will develop their own hypothetical start-up idea, from ideation to exit, applying the concepts discussed in class to ensure the success of the venture.
Educational Objectives:
- Explore the global legal environment, develop an approach to managing and maximizing the value of the legal function within an organization;
- Understand the communication challenges of translating legal advice and analysis into decision-ready advice that founders can use;
- Enhance understanding of the legal life cycle of a start-up such as structuring and financing issues, tax considerations, founder/investor conflicts, liquidity and exit issues; and
- Explore the growth of legal technology, its impact on legal service delivery, and emerging opportunities for legal entrepreneurs.
Evaluation
Term work (50%) based on: participation, which includes attendance and meaningful input into discussion (10%), group assignment of approximately 4,500 words (1,500 words per group member), and presentation in class (40%, with 20% for the report; 20% presentation). Written Assignments (50%): Two written assignments of 25% each, approximately 1,500 words, each critically reflecting on the readings and scenarios discussed in the class.
At a Glance
- Academic Year:2025-2026
- Course Session:Winter Session
- Credits:2
- Hours:2
- Grad Concentration:Business Law
Enrollment
- Maximum Enrollment:25
- JD Students:22
LLM/SJD/MSL/SJD U: 3