Helping Companies Manage Equity with Confidence
At Carney Badley Spellman, we help companies design, implement, and administer their stock option and equity incentive plans efficiently and compliantly. Whether you are a fast-growing startup issuing your first options or a later-stage company managing multiple rounds of grants, we provide comprehensive support that ensures your plan runs smoothly, accurately, and in compliance with applicable law.
Why Equity Administration Matters
Equity compensation is a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent—but managing it well requires attention to detail, timely filings, and clear documentation. Mistakes can be costly: missed 409A updates, late option grants, or inaccurate records can create significant tax and accounting exposure. Our role is to make sure that doesn’t happen. We help you maintain clean, defensible records that will withstand scrutiny from auditors, acquirers, and regulators alike.
Our Services Include
- Plan Design and Adoption: We help you structure your stock option plan to fit your company’s stage, growth trajectory, and business goals. We prepare the plan, board and shareholder consents, and ensure compliance with state and federal securities laws.
- Ongoing Administration: We assist with day-to-day equity administration—drafting and issuing option grant documents, maintaining cap tables, and ensuring timely board approvals.
- Equity Grant Workflow Support: We help you implement a consistent process for approving and issuing equity awards, reducing administrative risk and ensuring compliance with internal controls.
- Securities Law Compliance: We handle federal and state (“blue sky”) filings, monitor exemption thresholds, and advise on resales, Rule 701 compliance, and disclosure requirements.
- 409A Valuation Coordination: We coordinate with your valuation provider to ensure your option exercise prices are defensible and current, protecting you and your team from potential tax penalties.
- M&A and Liquidity Event Support: When you’re acquired or go public, we provide due diligence support and confirm that your stock option records and approvals are clean and complete—reducing deal friction and avoiding last-minute surprises.
Who We Serve
We work with:
- Early-stage startups establishing their first plan
- Growth companies managing ongoing grants
- Venture-backed companies preparing for diligence or exit
- Founders, executives, and board members seeking clarity and confidence in their equity programs
Why Clients Choose Carney Badley Spellman
We bring a blend of legal precision, startup practicality, and real-world experience. Our lawyers have administered and reviewed hundreds of stock option plans for companies across industries and stages. We understand how investors, acquirers, and auditors view these records—and we help you stay ahead of issues before they arise.
Get Started
If your company needs help administering its stock option plan—or if you want to make sure your current processes are in good shape—contact us today. Contact: Joe Wallin
Email:wallin@carneylaw.com