Equity Structuring & Cap Tables

Why Equity Matters

Equity is more than just ownership—it's the foundation of your company’s incentive structure, investor appeal, and long-term strategic alignment. At Jones Trial Attorneys, we help startups navigate the complex legal and financial decisions involved in structuring equity. Whether you're issuing founder shares, raising capital, or incentivizing key hires, we ensure your equity framework is built to grow with your business.

Equity Allocation and Vesting

Startups thrive when equity is allocated with foresight. We assist with:

• Founder share allocations and initial capitalization
• Time-based and milestone-based vesting schedules
• Restricted stock and early exercise arrangements
• Clawback and buyback provisions

We help founders strike a balance between fairness, retention, and future fundraising needs. Our approach is designed to reduce conflict and support long-term cohesion among team members and investors.

Employee Equity and Incentive Plans

Equity compensation can be a powerful recruitment and retention tool. We draft and advise on:

• Stock option plans (ISOs and NSOs)
• Restricted stock units (RSUs)
• Profit interest units for LLCs
• Advisor equity and consulting arrangements

Our firm helps you design an equity program that aligns with your hiring strategy and complies with IRS and securities law requirements.

Cap Table Management

Cap tables are the blueprint of your company’s ownership. We build, maintain, and audit capitalization tables that reflect:

• Common and preferred stock
• Convertible instruments (SAFEs and notes)
• Equity grants and employee pools
• Dilution and pro forma projections

We use clear, investor-friendly formats that withstand due diligence and support future rounds. Whether you're at seed stage or Series B, we ensure your records are accurate and actionable.

Convertible Instruments and Fundraising

Many startups raise early capital through convertible notes or SAFEs. We structure, review, and negotiate these agreements to protect your interests while maintaining investor confidence. Our attorneys explain conversion triggers, valuation caps, discount rates, and other key terms so you can make informed decisions with clarity.

Why Work With Jones Trial Attorneys

Our deep understanding of startup dynamics, fundraising mechanics, and litigation risk allows us to offer proactive, strategic equity advice. We tailor each equity plan and cap table to the company’s growth trajectory and exit goals—whether you're bootstrapping or VC-backed. From formation through financing, we help you build with confidence.

Contact Us

To schedule a consultation with our corporate counsel team, please fill out the consultation form below or call us at (866) JTA-WINS.