Tech and Disruptive Businesses
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Supporting tech challengers and disruptors
At Bellevue Law, we have extensive experience of supporting tech companies and other disruptive, fast-growth businesses. Our clients span a range of sectors including software engineering, fintech and challenger banks, climate tech and biotech as well as founders and investors in these sectors.
Clients often choose to work with us because of our model, which in most cases enables one senior lawyer to partner with them to handle all aspects of a matter cost-effectively and without duplication.
Our team members all have backgrounds in leading international law firms and in-house, and offer clients the same quality of technical and strategic support, cost-effectively and combined with bespoke service.
And, as a young, boutique law firm with an innovative model ourselves, we have both first-hand experience of disrupting a traditional market and an understanding of the unique challenges this brings.
Good housekeeping: employment law basics in fast-growth mode
Our team is very experienced when it comes to drafting crucial employment documents – such as employment contracts and service agreements – in a way that caters to the specific requirements of disruptive companies (for example, where the parties involved might be entitled to options or equity).
And we regularly work – as one team – with trusted lawyers in our network specialising in company, commercial and corporate law who can prepare corporate documents and shareholder and option agreements. We are also familiar with the essential paperwork a young or fast-growing business needs (from employment policies to handbooks).
While these policies are often less of a priority when pursuing a new idea or during a period of rapid growth, they are essential for the hygiene of the organisation and its future success, and will safeguard the company as it progresses and smooth the path to future investment. Our insight and practical skill mean that our clients are free to focus on what they do best: growing their business.
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Support with complex employment issues and senior executive exits
We also regularly support our technology and high-growth clients through tricky individual employment problems, including performance management, as well as disciplinary and grievance processes, and also have extensive experience of conducting internal investigations.
Unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary for senior executives to exit the business: perhaps the person who was right for the role originally is no longer a good fit; perhaps there has been some fundamental disagreement about the direction of the business, or perhaps there has been a personal conflict.
Negotiated exits for senior executives can be complex and personally difficult for all concerned, especially where the individual leaving is a co-founder or longstanding member of the senior management team. If there is a dispute over ownership of the business, for example where this hasn’t been properly documented, this can be particularly risky and time-sensitive and could potentially hinder the company’s ability to attract investment.
Our extensive experience of advising clients and investors through the exit of founders, directors and shareholders allows us to support management strategically, sensitively and effectively during this process.
Restructuring and redundancies
Bumps in the road are inevitable, particularly in industries where innovation is at the forefront – and sometimes things just don’t work out. We are highly experienced at supporting challenger businesses through redundancy processes, and understand how painful these can be for both the affected employees and the management team that has worked so hard to grow the business and often has personal relationships with those who are exiting.
We help by supporting clients through the redundancy procedure in a pragmatic, cost-effective and human way. We start by understanding the commercial background, and provide clear strategic advice on options and legal risk as well as practical advice and support throughout, including guidance on fair selection and consultation processes.
We are often asked to take part in redundancy consultation meetings with our clients, and they tell us that our experience and sensitivity make these run as smoothly and successfully as possible.
In addition, we can prepare all relevant documentation (including settlement agreements in cases where clients wish to offer enhanced redundancy packages in exchange for employees waiving potential claims against the business).
And at a time when costs are often a concern, we can provide a fixed-fee quote for supporting a client through a redundancy process.
Why clients choose us for their business disputes
Our commercial disputes team is able to represent clients in matters ranging from straightforward debt recovery and contractual disputes to high-value complex litigation. Of particular relevance in this sector, we have extensive experience of shareholder disputes, including over the ownership and value of high-growth businesses, and have successfully acted in complex, high-value litigation on this issue.
We also advise clients on disputes with departing employees (for example, where they are said to be in breach of confidentiality or intellectual property obligations or post-termination restrictions).
We understand the personal, practical and legal impacts of such scenarios, and are able to offer targeted, cost-effective advice, drawing on the considerable experience of our disputes team where necessary.
If you would like support for your organisation, please get in touch today.
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