01
What this ally is
This is a law firm, and it is paid in shares rather than hourly fees.
It sets up the company, writes the fourteen sets of contracts, keeps the share register, and holds the shares in escrow — meaning it holds them on behalf of everyone until each partner has done what they promised. If a partner misses a payment or fails to deliver, this is the firm that enforces it.
That is also why this role cannot be combined with any operating role. The referee cannot play.
02
Who it suits
- A U.S. firm with a record of setting up multi-party joint ventures and private offerings
- Able to act as escrow agent, with proper client-account separation
- Comfortable handling real estate, brand licensing and technology licensing at the same table
- No existing client relationship with any of the operating partners — no conflicts
- Can design a dispute process that works with fourteen parties, not two
03
What you put in
- The legal work to set up the company and close the first round
- Contracts, service schedules and the share register for all fourteen partners
- Escrow administration — holding and releasing shares as they are earned
- Enforcement when a partner misses a deadline or a payment
04
What you get back
- 5% of the company
- 5% of any profit the company distributes
05
What you would actually do
- Form the company, file the registrations, close the first funding round
- Draft the fourteen contract sets and keep them consistent with each other
- Run the escrow and execute share releases and forfeitures
- Track the 30-day cure period when a partner misses a cash call, and apply the dilution if it runs out
06
How the shares are earned
Shares are released over three years, with nothing released in the first year, against legal milestones agreed up front.