Real pricing data from 1,000+ startup legal engagements. Understand costs from incorporation through Series A and beyond, plus strategies to reduce expenses.
Incorporation
$2K - $5K
Seed Round
$25K - $75K
Series A
$75K - $200K
Hourly Rates
$400 - $1,200
$2,000 - $5,000
Total cost
💡 Cost-Saving Tip: Many firms offer fixed-price incorporation packages. This is often the best value for standard setups with 2-3 founders.
$5,000 - $15,000
Total cost
$25,000 - $75,000
Total cost
$75,000 - $200,000
Total cost
$100,000 - $300,000
Per round
| Law Firm | Tier | Hourly Rate | Series A Range | Specialties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Sonsini | Elite | $900-$1,200 | $150K-$200K | Tech, Life Sciences |
| Cooley LLP | Elite | $850-$1,150 | $140K-$190K | Venture, Emerging Companies |
| Fenwick & West | Elite | $800-$1,100 | $135K-$185K | Silicon Valley Focus |
| Gunderson Dettmer | Premium | $700-$950 | $110K-$160K | VC Transactions |
| Orrick | Premium | $650-$900 | $100K-$150K | Technology, Energy |
| Latham & Watkins | Premium | $600-$850 | $95K-$145K | Private Equity, VC |
| Goodwin Procter | Mid-Tier | $550-$750 | $85K-$125K | Life Sciences, Tech |
| Mintz Levin | Mid-Tier | $500-$700 | $75K-$115K | Emerging Companies |
| Emerging Specialists | Boutique | $400-$650 | $60K-$100K | Startup Focus |
Use Standard Documents
NVCA model documents reduce drafting time by 40-50%
Negotiate Fixed Fees
Many firms offer fixed pricing for incorporation and standard rounds
Choose Mid-Tier Firms
Save 25-40% while maintaining quality representation
Bundle Related Work
Combine incorporation, ESOP, and first employee work
Be Organized
Prepare documents and information in advance
Limit Revisions
Review documents carefully and provide consolidated feedback
Use Junior Resources
Have associates handle routine work, partners for strategy
Schedule Regular Check-ins
Prevent surprise bills with monthly cost reviews
25-40%
Standard documents
20-30%
Fixed fee arrangements
15-25%
Efficient organization
Incorporating with co-founders
Equity splits and vesting require legal expertise
Any fundraising activity
SAFEs, convertible notes, or equity rounds
Employee stock options
ESOP creation and option grants
Intellectual property transfers
Moving IP from founders to company
Major contracts or partnerships
High-value or complex agreements
Solo founder incorporation
Simple Delaware C-Corp with standard structure
Basic contract templates
NDAs, simple service agreements
Privacy policies and ToS
Template-based with customization
Basic employment agreements
Standard at-will employment terms
⚠️ Warning: Even if you start DIY, plan to engage a lawyer before raising money or hiring employees with equity.
Clerky
Equity management and fundraising docs
$2K - $8K/round
Carta Launch
Incorporation and cap table management
$500 - $3K
LegalZoom Business
Basic incorporation services
$300 - $1K
Best for: Simple structures, cost-conscious founders, standardized needs
Freelance Attorneys
Project-based startup legal work
$200 - $500/hr
Legal Process Outsourcing
Document review and routine work
$50 - $200/hr
Virtual Law Firms
Remote-first legal services
30-50% savings
Best for: Routine work, document review, cost optimization
Stanford Law Clinic
Free legal services for qualifying startups
Free
Harvard Law Clinic
Startup and VC legal assistance
Free
Local Law Schools
Entrepreneurship clinics
Free - $500
Best for: Early-stage startups, simple structures, limited budgets
Startup lawyer costs vary by stage: Incorporation ($2K-$5K), Pre-Seed ($5K-$15K), Seed round ($25K-$75K), Series A ($75K-$200K), and Series B+ ($100K-$300K). Hourly rates range from $400-$1,200 depending on firm tier and complexity. Most founders should budget 1-3% of their raise amount for legal fees.
Startup lawyer hourly rates vary by firm tier: Top-tier firms (Wilson Sonsini, Cooley) charge $800-$1,200/hour, mid-tier firms charge $600-$900/hour, boutique firms charge $500-$750/hour, and emerging firms charge $400-$650/hour. Partners typically charge 20-40% more than associates. Regional variations can save 20-30% outside major tech hubs.
While not legally required, a startup lawyer is highly recommended for incorporation, equity structure, founder agreements, and compliance. DIY incorporation costs $500-$1,500 but professional legal setup ($2K-$5K) prevents costly mistakes and ensures proper equity structure for future fundraising. The investment typically pays for itself by avoiding problems later.
Hire a startup lawyer when: 1) Incorporating your company, especially with co-founders, 2) Adding co-founders or early employees with equity, 3) Preparing for fundraising of any kind, 4) Issuing stock options or creating an ESOP, 5) Signing major contracts or partnerships, 6) Facing compliance issues, or 7) Transferring intellectual property to the company. Earlier legal guidance prevents more expensive problems later.
Reduce legal costs by: 1) Using standardized documents and terms (NVCA models), 2) Being organized and prepared for meetings, 3) Handling routine tasks in-house, 4) Negotiating fixed fees for specific services, 5) Working with experienced but mid-tier firms, 6) Bundling related legal work together, 7) Using junior resources for routine work, and 8) Avoiding unnecessary complexity in deal structures.
Using the same lawyer across rounds can save 10-20% due to familiarity with your company, but ensure they have relevant experience for each stage. A lawyer great for incorporation might not be ideal for Series A. Consider upgrading to a more experienced firm as you grow, especially if your current lawyer lacks venture capital experience or strong investor relationships.
Key questions: 1) How many startups like mine have you worked with? 2) What's your experience with my industry and funding stage? 3) Can you provide references from recent clients? 4) What are your fee structures and billing practices? 5) How do you handle cost overruns? 6) What's your relationship with major VCs? 7) Do you offer fixed-fee arrangements? 8) How responsive are you to urgent matters?
Compare costs, get recommendations, and connect with experienced startup attorneys