High-leverage counsel for good people building good organizations.
Formation through Series B.
Wheelhouse
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Entity type
Incorporation
Founder equity
Initial operations & systems
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Founder loans
SAFEs
Convertible notes
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Employees
Advisors
Consultants
Compensation & equity
Termination (incl. founder separations)
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Risk analysis
Thorny issues
Market benchmarking
Negotiation and dealmaking
Cap table strategy
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Investors
Team members
Consultants (design, finance, engineering, tax, growth)
Legal specialists (patent, trademark, licensing, regulatory)
Executive coaches
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Company representation
Investor representation
Who ‘we’ are
After graduating from Stanford Law School, Sam McClure started his career at Gunderson Dettmer, where he worked with top-tier venture capital firms as well as dozens of startups from formation through maturity.
He left the law firm in 2019 to co-found a live events marketplace, Fanimal, Inc., heading product & growth and co-leading various business functions as the company went from zero to one and survived a complete industry shutdown during the pandemic. Fanimal is growing quickly under the leadership of the remaining co-founders and with the resurgence of live events.
In 2022, Sam returned to Stanford Law to teach at the intersection of startups, law, sustainability, and impact. He regularly consults with founders who need a strategic legal advisor with operational experience and a 360-degree perspective. Cedar Grove is the result of that practice.
Founders have tight budgets and uncertain timelines (we’ve been there). Unlike most law firms we give lean estimates where possible and strive for efficiency and transparency. Payment is either hourly or reduced hourly plus an equity grant vesting over time. Deferrals are available and are discussed case by case.