SAFEs for Startup Financing: Benefits, Risks, Processes, and Avoiding Pitfalls

Ms. Hallsten represents emerging and established companies in a variety of practice areas, including general corporate, securities, corporate governance, private debt and equity financings, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and public offerings. Her client base covers many industries, including technology, health care, insurance, business services, life sciences, retail, publishing, professional services and real estate. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Hallsten served as a staff attorney in the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Ross focuses his practice on securities law, venture capital and private equity, and corporate governance. He has extensive experience advising as to SEC-registered and exempt capital markets transactions. Before founding Ross Law Group in 2013, he worked at Sidley Austin and Alston & Bird, as well as the Department of the Treasury, where he was part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Mr. Ross is the host of the American Bar Association podcast VC Law, and has served as an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School for the past five years.

Mr. Willbrand is an experienced chief legal officer, tech executive, trusted advisor, and deal lawyer. Prior to joining Pacaso, Mr. Willbrand founded, grew, and chaired one of the most prominent startup and venture capital legal practices in the Midwest. He also previously worked in the software industry and held the dual role of CFO and General Counsel at a series of venture-backed companies. Mr. Willbrand is the author of "Seed Deals: How to Grow from Startup to Venture Capital," and teaches at the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Syracuse University, and University of Cincinnati Colleges of Law.