×Legal counsel that knows both sides of the table.
Lowenstein Sandler is Gildre’s official legal partner. One of the most active startup law firms in the country, they represent founders and the investors who back them, from incorporation through Series A, late-stage venture, and exit.
Seed
Starting Point
IPO
Full Lifecycle Coverage
Both Sides
Founders and Investors
ECVC
Practice Focus
What Is Lowenstein Sandler
The startup law firm The Wall Street Journal called one of the most active in the country.
Lowenstein Sandler is a national law firm with a market-leading Emerging Companies and Venture Capital (ECVC) practice. They’ve built their reputation by going deep on the startup ecosystem: representing both founders raising capital and the funds deploying it. That dual perspective gives their attorneys an understanding of deal dynamics that single-sided firms simply don’t have.
For founders, this means counsel that can anticipate how investors will read your docs, where pushback typically comes from, and which terms actually matter versus which are noise.
ECVC Practice
One of the most active emerging companies and venture capital practices in the country, representing hundreds of startups and the funds that back them.
Both-Sides Representation
Lowenstein Sandler represents founders and investors, giving their attorneys a perspective on deal dynamics that single-sided firms don't have.
Seed to IPO
Full lifecycle coverage: incorporation, seed structuring, Series A through late-stage, M&A, and public offerings. One firm, every stage.
VentureCrush Network
Access to one of the premier founder and venture networking events in the country, plus curated introductions through the Lowenstein Sandler founder community.
Why We Chose Them
Founders deserve lawyers who know what’s on the other side of the table.
Lowenstein Sandler does.
Most startup law firms represent either founders or investors. Lowenstein Sandler represents both, which means their attorneys have context that changes how they negotiate and advise on every deal.
They know what investors actually care about
Because Lowenstein Sandler represents the funds writing checks, their attorneys know which terms are real sticking points for investors and which are standard asks that can be negotiated. That knowledge translates directly into better outcomes for founder clients.
Legal infrastructure done right the first time
Equity plan design, option grants, IP assignments, advisor agreements, employment docs: Lowenstein Sandler builds the legal foundation that lets founders raise cleanly and exit cleanly. Getting this right at the start costs a fraction of cleaning it up before a deal closes.
A network that goes beyond legal advice
VentureCrush and the broader Lowenstein Sandler founder community mean access to investors, operators, and advisors who have actually built and backed companies. For Gildre members, that network is an extension of what Gildre already provides.
What We Use It For
Four areas where Lowenstein Sandler makes a real difference.
Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Practice
Lowenstein Sandler’s ECVC practice is one of the most active in the country, representing hundreds of startups and the funds that back them. That dual-sided experience means your counsel has seen the term sheet from both sides of the table and knows exactly where founders win or leave money on the table.
Seed to IPO Coverage
Lowenstein Sandler works with founders at every stage: incorporation, seed round structuring, Series A through late-stage venture, secondary transactions, M&A, and public offerings. One firm can grow with you from day one through exit, which means no institutional knowledge lost in transitions and no ramp-up time when you hit an inflection.
VentureCrush and Founder Community Access
Lowenstein Sandler organizes VentureCrush, one of the premier venture and founder networking events in the country. Gildre members gain access to the Lowenstein Sandler founder community, including curated events and introductions to the investors, operators, and advisors in their network.
Equity, Compensation, and Employment Law
From early equity plan design and option grants to employment agreements, advisor arrangements, and IP assignments, Lowenstein Sandler’s team covers the legal infrastructure that underpins your cap table and team. Getting this right early prevents the expensive cleanup that derails due diligence later.
How It Works Together
Gildre builds the founder network. Lowenstein Sandler handles the legal foundation that makes everything else possible.
Gildre members get a direct introduction to the Lowenstein Sandler ECVC team and access to preferred rates for early-stage legal work. When a member is preparing to raise, structure equity, or negotiate a deal, Lowenstein Sandler is already briefed on the Gildre community and ready to engage without the standard cold-start process.
Gildre Community
Peer accountability, operator mentorship, and introductions to founders who have successfully navigated the legal and fundraising milestones you are approaching.
Lowenstein Sandler Introduction
Gildre members get a warm introduction to the ECVC team and access to preferred rates for early-stage legal work.
Legal Foundation Setup
Incorporation, equity plan design, IP assignments, employment docs, and advisor agreements: the infrastructure that lets you raise cleanly and operate safely.
Fundraising and Deal Support
When you raise, Lowenstein Sandler negotiates from the perspective of a firm that knows how investors think, which terms matter, and where the real leverage sits.
Scale Through Exit
M&A, secondary transactions, late-stage venture rounds, and public offerings: one firm with the full lifecycle knowledge to take you all the way.
Most founders get legal advice from someone who only sees one side of the table. Lowenstein Sandler has sat on both sides of hundreds of deals, which means they know where the real risk is and where founders tend to give away more than they need to.
Taiga Gamell, Founder, Gildre
×Build your legal foundation before you need it.
Gildre members get a direct introduction to the Lowenstein Sandler ECVC team. Apply for membership to connect with a firm that knows the startup legal landscape from both sides of the table.
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