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One of the first tasks for an early stage SaaS company is getting a legal structure and documents in order. This includes Terms of Service, a Privacy Policy, and various agreements and contracts. SaaS and Internet law can have its own nuances so it is recommended you hire and work with a SaaS focused attorney.
You may be able to get started initially using and modifying templates like a SaaS Software Reseller Agreement, SaaS Referral Agreement, or SaaS Contractor Evaluation Form.
Basecamp has also open sourced on Github their Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and several other SaaS specific agreements under the Creative Commons Attribution license - i.e. you are free to use and modify the agreements as long as you include an attribution noting what the agreements are based on.
The guide includes a range of pricing options from straightforward, project based contract work with an individual SaaS focused lawyer to firms focused on scaling fast growing startups and catering to all of their legal needs.
Whether you plan to hire a lawyer from a platform pool, or a private attorney with SaaS experience, here are a few things to look for:
If you're in need of a tech lawyer for your business, read through the following reviews and comparisons of 19 SaaS Contracts Attorneys working in the United States and abroad.
There are two main ways of solving legal problems during the creation, launch and scaling phases of a software as a service (SaaS): 1) platforms, which connect legal experts with people seeking legal advice, and 2) working directly with an attorney. Both solutions have advantages and disadvantages.
Hiring an attorney to draft or review contracts is usually a wise move, regardless of which industry a company is part of. Entrepreneurs and business leaders working with limited budgets may find platforms, such as Upwork and Upcounsel (both reviewed below), are less expensive than a traditional lawyer. This is due to economies of scale and practically zero overhead for the freelance attorneys offering their services. Platforms also have user reviews which may help in your vetting process and also give some level of comfort in case issues arise.
Searching for "Legal" and "SaaS Contracts" on Upwork brings up a full list of legal help from paralegal to full fledged attorneys at a wide variety of price points.
When it comes to finding an attorney that fits, some find it easier to get to know an attorney that they see face-to-face. These in-person meetings provide a friendliness factor that may make you feel more comfortable. Traditional attorneys tend to have set office hours and a staff to field calls, where crowd-sourced (i.e. platforms) legal service providers have flexible hours and communicate via email, text or video chat.
A one-off contract review or short term project may be more suited to a hiring platform, where establishing a direct relationship may make more sense if you have longer term legal needs. Some startup lawyers in the US may also provide services for equity vs. direct up front payment if your idea is well validated.
The companies in this round-up provide remote and in-person services. A handful are crowdsourced networks that connect legal experts with business leaders who need their help. You'll notice that some companies have a single location, while others have offices in multiple states and/or countries. All fall into the SaaS contracts attorney category. Many providers have experience running SaaS platforms, or providing legal services as an employee. The comparison suggests that crowdsourced networks and firms that are 100% internet-based provide lower price points. However, it is always best to get a quote before committing to a deal. So, without any further delay – here are the Saas Law Firms, in no particular order, that made the 2021 roundup.
So, without any further delay – here are the Saas Law Firms, in no particular order, that made the 2021 roundup. Want to update a listing or get your firm added to the list? Drop us a line.
