Have a Burning Business Question? Ask the Expert: Peter Buckland Lawyer Peter Buckland wants to answer your big startup questions about allocating equity, setting up a board of directors, raising capital and intellectual property.

By Andrea Huspeni

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

Launching a startup is a roller coaster of a ride: The achievement highs and the failure lows can make an entrepreneur's head spin. Pile on the necessary paperwork to keep a business in good standing, and an endeavor may seem impossible.

Not only can legal issues bog down your day-to-day activities of running a startup, but if not done correctly, it can cost you an arm and a leg.

Peter Buckland feels your pain. As a lawyer at WilmerHale, a firm that provides advice to startups and more established companies, he has seen his fair share of legal issues. That said, he feels entrepreneurs must be prepared for these obstacles from the get go.

"Entrepreneurs can increase their chance of success by getting good business and legal counsel early on," Buckland says. "We help them avoid common pitfalls, work through unexpected challenges through informed decision making and hopefully, allow them to more fully focus on the key aspects of their business."

Related: How to Protect Your Business Ideas

Have a Burning Business Question? Ask the Expert.
Lawyer Peter Buckland of WilmerHale

Can we get a hallelujah?

With more than 15 years of experience, Buckland has been helping people figure out the ins-and-outs of running a business without getting in hot water over issues like regulations, filings, agreements and financial information. While he is familiar with numerous industries, his areas of expertise includes software, internet and digital media, devices, energy and clean technology. Because of his experience and knowledge, Buckland was recognized in the 2009-2013 editions of Northern California Super Lawyers. His firm has also been featured in Silicon Valley Business Journal in its "Top 10 Largest Silicon Valley Law Firms."

Related: 5 Hiring Practices to Keep You Out of Hot Water With the IRS

So instead of forking over hundreds of dollars for advice from an attorney, now is your chance to get it for free. For the month of December, Buckland is eager to tackle your burning questions each week. Feel free to ask questions relating to legal issues, including funding, setting up board of directors and advisors, developing an exit strategy, acquisitions, crowdfunding and what an entrepreneur needs to do when launching a company.

Submit your questions in the comments section below or tweet us using the hashtag #ENTexpert

Andrea Huspeni

Founder of This Dog's Life

Andrea Huspeni is the former special projects director at Entrepreneur.com and the founder of This Dog's Life.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Your Old Apple AirPods Can Soon Act as an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid, According to the FDA

The new software is compatible with the Apple AirPods Pro and accessible through iOS — for free and now FDA-authorized.

Leadership

From Elite Athletes to Tech Titans — Discover the Surprising $100-Million Habit That Leads to Extraordinary Success

Success comes from mastering focus, eliminating distractions and prioritizing what truly matters.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Since Middle School': She Started a Side Hustle on Facebook Marketplace — Then a 'Game-Changer' Grew It to $25,000 a Month

Leena Pettigrew's "entrepreneurial spirit" inspired her to build a business with earnings that outpaced her full-time income.