Case Studies & Practice Notes
Anonymized Patterns · Working Frameworks
MONTAGUE LAW · RESOURCES FOR FOUNDERS, INVESTORS, AND BUSINESS OWNERS
These resources fall into two groups. The case studies are illustrative scenarios — composite founder journeys that walk through what happens, document by document, at each stage. They are useful as guides for someone trying to understand a stage of company life they have not yet been through. The practice notes are grounded in patterns we see in our own work: each one describes a recurring situation across multiple matters, the framework we apply, and the lessons we hand to clients facing the same pattern.
Neither group identifies any specific client. Both groups are provided for general informational purposes only and are not legal advice. The documents referenced live in the Montague Entrepreneur Forms Library and the Founder M&A Forms Library.
Practice Notes from Our Work
Recurring patterns and frameworks drawn from multiple matters. No client information is disclosed; specific deal numbers, dates, and industry details have been omitted or generalized.
Converting a Florida Operating LLC into a Corporation for a Priced Round
What we’ve seen in repeated LLC-to-corporation conversions: the surrounding cleanup is where most of the work hides.
Cleaning Up Prior-Round Token Rights Before the Next Raise
How we untangle token warrants and governance commitments that block a clean cap table for the next round.
When a Token Project Needs a Non-U.S. Foundation Layer
We’ve stood up foundation layers and we’ve recommended against them. The framework we use to decide.
When a Family Office Writes a Startup Check, the Paper Looks Different
Family office investments aren’t just small VC rounds. What we see come up — and how to keep the founder out of trouble.
Cleaning Up a Friends-and-Family Cap Table Before Institutional Money
Informal early checks create predictable cap-table problems. The cleanup playbook we’ve built.
Pre-Closing Restructuring When a Buyer Wants the Operating Business, Not the Holdco
Stock sales of holdcos with multiple operating units rarely close on the original term sheet. The restructuring that has to happen first.
Buying Out a Stuck Investor Before the Recapitalization
When an earlier investor’s rights block the next round, the buyout is its own miniature deal. Cost and structure depend on the leverage.
The Florida-Originated Web3 Startup, From Formation to Token Launch
We work with multiple crypto teams based in Florida. The state adds a layer founders sometimes miss in national-template advice.
Illustrative Case Studies
Composite founder journeys walking through formation, fundraising, hiring, and exit. Useful for understanding a stage you have not yet experienced.
From Side Project to Series Seed: A Founder’s First 18 Months
Idea through priced seed round — incorporation, vesting, IP cleanup, SAFEs, and conversion math.
Forming a Florida LLC the Right Way: Solo Founder Edition
When a Florida LLC beats a Delaware C-corp, plus the four documents every solo founder needs.
The Compliant First Hire: Offer Letter, PIIA, and Stock Option Grant
How a venture-backed startup hires its first engineer without creating preventable legal problems.
Why Founder Vesting Saves Companies: A Cautionary Tale
Two founders, one walks at month eight. The difference between zero recovered and clean recovery.
The Sell-Side M&A Playbook: From NDA to Term Sheet in 60 Days
The first sixty days of a sell-side process and the four documents that move a deal from interest to signed term sheet.
The Web3 Founder: Raising on a SAFE Plus a Token Warrant
Equity now, tokens later — how a crypto-native startup raises without breaking securities law.
Cap Table Cleanup Before the First Priced Round: Converting a Stack of SAFEs
Multiple SAFEs and a convertible note meet a priced round. The math, the MFN traps, and the option-pool refresh.
Florida Real Estate Holdings: Stack of LLCs vs. Protected Series
Eight rental properties, two structural choices — and why the answer changes on July 1, 2026.
Talk to a Florida Business Lawyer
If any of these patterns is close to your situation, schedule a consultation with Montague Law at 904-234-5653 or use the contact form. The firm represents founders, investors, and business owners statewide and nationally from offices in Fernandina Beach and Coral Gables (Miami).
These resources are provided for general informational purposes only and are not legal, tax, or financial advice. The case studies are composite illustrations; the practice notes describe recurring patterns without identifying any specific client. Reading either does not create an attorney-client relationship with Montague Law or John Montague.