Business Details
Trusted Business Law Attorneys for Startups & SMBs
DPA Law PC provides specialized legal counsel for startups, private companies, and entrepreneurs throughout their business lifecycle. With over 25 years of transactional experience, our principal attorney delivers practical guidance on entity formation, contract negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate compliance. We combine big law expertise with streamlined efficiency to address the unique needs of growing businesses.Our practice focuses on minimizing legal risks while supporting strategic growth through tailored solutions in business law, technology contracts, and transactional support. We serve clients in Silicon Valley and beyond, offering both technical precision and actionable insights derived from handling thousands of similar transactions.
Services
Business Formation
Mergers & Acquisitions
Contract Drafting
Startup Legal Support
Corporate Compliance
Highlights and features
- We have 25+ years of specialized business law experience
- Our practice combines big law expertise with efficient service
- We provide practical guidance tailored to startup needs
- We excel at complex contract negotiation and risk mitigation
- Our client-focused approach prioritizes business growth objectives
Services
Business Formation
We guide clients through selecting and establishing the optimal business structure, including C-corporations, S corporations, and LLCs. Our services cover state selection, governing document preparation, and compliance requirements. With extensive experience in Delaware, California, and Nevada formations, we help startups and SMBs establish solid legal foundations while considering future growth and tax implications.
Mergers & Acquisitions
We represent buyers and sellers in business purchase transactions ranging from $200,000 to $18 million. Our services include deal structuring, due diligence, LOI negotiation, and definitive agreement drafting. We specialize in asset sales, stock purchases, and statutory mergers for technology companies, professional practices, and other SMBs across Silicon Valley's diverse industries.
Contract Negotiation
Our firm excels at analyzing, drafting, and negotiating complex business contracts. We handle SaaS agreements, professional service contracts, NDAs, and employment agreements. We identify critical risk provisions and negotiate terms that protect client interests while maintaining commercial relationships, particularly in technology and B2B contexts.
Startup Legal Support
We provide comprehensive legal guidance for startups from formation through exit. Services include equity compensation planning, SAFE agreements, fundraising support, and intellectual property protection. Our experience with pre-seed to Series A financings helps startups navigate legal challenges while maintaining growth momentum in competitive markets.
Corporate Compliance
We help private companies maintain compliance with evolving regulations, including the Corporate Transparency Act's reporting requirements. Our services cover governance document updates, employment law compliance, and tax election guidance for LLCs and S corporations, ensuring businesses operate within legal frameworks while minimizing liability risks.
People
Andrew J. Piunti
Principal Attorney
Andrew (Drew) Piunti brings 25+ years of business transactional experience to startup and SMB legal counsel. He specializes in business formations, M&A transactions, and corporate compliance, serving Silicon Valley technology companies and diverse industries with practical, growth-oriented legal solutions.
Kelly Raftery
Kelly Raftery provides legal support in business transactions and corporate matters. With experience in contract negotiation and compliance guidance, she assists clients in navigating complex legal requirements while maintaining focus on business objectives.
Questions
What entity type should my startup choose?
We help select optimal structures considering liability protection, tax implications, and growth plans. Common choices include C-corporations for venture-backed startups and LLCs for smaller businesses seeking pass-through taxation.
How does the M&A process work?
Our process includes deal structuring, due diligence review, LOI negotiation, and definitive agreement drafting. We guide clients through asset sales, stock purchases, or mergers while addressing tax and risk implications specific to their transaction.
Can you help with contract negotiations?
Yes, we analyze, draft, and negotiate all business contracts including SaaS agreements, employment contracts, and partnership arrangements, focusing on risk allocation and protecting client interests in commercial relationships.
What startup legal services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive support including entity formation, equity compensation planning, SAFE agreements, fundraising guidance, and intellectual property protection tailored to startups' evolving needs from formation through exit.
How do you handle corporate compliance?
We help businesses maintain compliance with regulations like the Corporate Transparency Act, update governance documents, and implement proper tax elections while ensuring protection from personal liability.
Reviews (4)
David Belgum
Apr 21, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Our venture-backed software company has been using Drew Piunti for the past 3 years and have found him to be an excellent partner for helping us with a wide range of legal issues. He represents us on million dollar deals with customers which highlights his understanding of SaaS sales agreements.
Our venture-backed software company has been using Drew Piunti for the past 3 years and have found him to be an excellent partner for helping us with a wide range of legal issues. He represents us on million dollar deals with customers which highlights his understanding of SaaS sales agreements.
Ken Jensen
Mar 30, 2021
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I have personal experience working with Drew twice now, once was a high stakes case and the other simple; he excelled in both cases. The higher stakes one he really fought for me and I came out with a solid result.
Drew is very professional, responsive and no nonsense he will explain to what the cut to the chase is and he will defend his clients case vigorously. I have been working with attorneys extensively through my business career and I would thoroughly recommend Drew for his professionalism and experience as well as a fair and cost effective solution to your legal entanglements.
Drew is very professional, responsive and no nonsense he will explain to what the cut to the chase is and he will defend his clients case vigorously. I have been working with attorneys extensively through my business career and I would thoroughly recommend Drew for his professionalism and experience as well as a fair and cost effective solution to your legal entanglements.
Edmund Fung
Mar 23, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality
Minimal interaction with the people at DPA Law due to COViD so I cannot offer too much feedback about the overall experience. Drew is very knowledgeable and professional. He got the job done the way I expected and I am happy about that. Thank you!
Minimal interaction with the people at DPA Law due to COViD so I cannot offer too much feedback about the overall experience. Drew is very knowledgeable and professional. He got the job done the way I expected and I am happy about that. Thank you!
David Ellzey
Mar 22, 2021
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We are very happy that we switched to DPA a few years ago. I am getting the appropriate level of work, and therefore price, to fit the needs of each of our requests. Sometimes its quick boilerplate with a review and other times, in-depth discussions where we have been pleased with the insight and creative approach to problem solving DPA has demonstrated.
