Startup Law Initiative: Governance
Mark T. Hiraide will be speaking on the topic, "Startup Law Initiative: Governance" for Beverly Hills Bar Association's webinar, happening 4:00 - 5:00pm PST on June 17th. 1.0 CLE credit will be offered. This webinar is free for BHBA members. There is a fee for non-members.
This session covers the core aspects of governance critical for startups, addressing board composition, fiduciary duties, approval processes for key acts, and litigation considerations. Attendees will learn about structuring effective board compositions, understanding fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and avoidance of misconduct, and navigating the approval of major contracts, option plans, and equity grants. The program will also explore strategies for filling board vacancies, managing internal and external litigation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations and reporting requirements. Designed to equip startup founders and advisors with essential governance knowledge, this seminar will cover the following topics.
- What is governance?
- What does it mean for a startup?
- Board composition – How many, who could be/should be?
- Fiduciary Duties – care + loyalty + no bad acts
- Approving Key Acts –
- Major contracts
- Option plan
- Other equity grants
- Filling vacancies
- Litigation – internal (shareholder dispute) v external (corporate misconduct, securities violation, product/service liability)
- Board observers
- Meetings – regular, special, annual
- Board
- Shareholders
- Cumulative voting
- Reporting to investors – transparency and information rights
- Contractual reporting obligations
- Inspection rights
- Cap table – who gets to see this?
- Corporate Transparency Act
- Insurance: D&O, E&O, EPL, GL, cyber
- Regulatory compliance
