SSM is a women-owned boutique law firm with attorneys in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Seattle. We represent micro-venture capital funds, technology companies, and industry-adjacent service providers who are forming and scaling their companies, fundraising/deploying venture capital, selling to, merging with and/or acquiring other businesses. Additionally, we assist our clients in managing relationships with their former companies, employees, partners, investors, service providers, or customers. We are a completely virtual law firm and rely on innovative legal technology to provide a high-touch service.
Upcoming events
July 30, 2024 - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm PST - Seattle Tech Week:How to Raise Your Seed Round
In collaboration with SSM Legal, this will be an interactive panel on raising a Seed round as part of Seattle TechWeek. You will hear VC and legal perspectives on how to navigate this process, plus you will hear from a B2B SaaS founder who has gone through this process and can share some tips for success.
Moderators and Speakers include:
Bocar Dia, Partner at Forum Ventures
Elvis Dieguez, Founder, Symphonie AI
Lindsey S. Mignano, Founding Partner at SSM Law
Catherine Williams, Principal at Dundee VC
Kelly Lawton-Abbott, Partner at SSM Law - Moderator
SSM's Lindsey S. Mignano and Peter Walker from Carta will join Brian Sparke's Silicon Valley Podcast to discuss the state of venture capital and what founders need to know when fundraising in 2024. If you are outside of the Bay Area, you can tune into using the link to the station below.
September 5, 2024 - 5:00 - 7:30 pm PST - Venture Capital Financing: What You Should Know About Deal Terms Today
Join us for a hosted happy hour and panel discussion on how technology companies structure venture capital investments from early to late stages, from note investments to term sheets/investment agreements in priced rounds. Panelists will also discuss how the current macroeconomic climate may affect the terms.
September 13, 2024 - 10:00 am - 11:00 am PST - Swissnex Presentation: Flips & Financing
SSM's Lindsey S. Mignano has been collaborating with Swissnex in San Francisco for many years. Specifically, she presesents the "Flips & Financing" session for their cohort quarterly. This session will target Swiss entrepreneurs interested in either accessing the American market or raising capital within the United States, detailing specific incorporation strategies like setting up a subsidiary or performing a Delaware flip. The conversation will also explore various stages of a company's funding lifecycle, outlining practical steps for entities at different stages, from self-funding to securing venture capital.
September 17, 2024 - 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm PST - Truth and Power: Responsible Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence technologies are advancing rapidly, raising critical legal and ethical questions. As AI systems become smarter and more autonomous, we must ensure they are developed responsibly and aligned with our laws and values. This event will explore the role of the law in governing AI. Legal experts will discuss issues such as:
Ensuring AI systems respect privacy laws and civil liberties
Preventing bias, discrimination, and unfair treatment by AI
Establishing accountability when AI systems cause harm or make mistakes
Creating regulations and governance frameworks for responsible AI innovation
As AI capabilities extend into areas once only possible for humans, we must grapple with challenging legal and ethical dilemmas. Join us for an insightful discussion on upholding the rule of law and core human rights in the age of artificial intelligence.
September 27, 2024 - 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm PST - Women and Work:Defining Purpose, Flow, and Sustainability in Our Professional Lives
Lindsey S. Mignano will moderate Panel 1 of the Stanford Alumni Association Women’s Impact Network Annual Meeting, “Women Entering the Workforce: How to Navigate the Post-College World & Get the Roles You Want” with panelists Renessa Layne, Jennifer Martinez, Jessie Juusola, and Ann Jayaram. Panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities women face when they enter the workforce, and what happens to their lives over time as they navigate both personal and professional milestones. In addition they will touch on key questions like, how might their priorities change as they age, and how do women define purpose and fulfillment after they retire? Join us for this panel and others that day. More information in the registration page below.
October 30, 2024 - 5:00 - 7:45 pm PST - What VCs Want: How to Raise Capital in 2024
Venture capital firms are more selective and demanding when it comes to financing these days, especially with regard to first financings by early stage startups. Join us for an informative panel where we’ll be discussing questions and topics such as:
When does it make sense to start approaching venture capital firms for investment?
What does it take for a startup to raise its first priced round these days?
What are early stage VCs investing in today?
What kind of business and financial metrics should a founder have in place before approaching venture firms for a priced round raise, whether Series Seed or Series A/B?
What do venturecapitalists predict about the venture market for the remainder of 2024?
How to extend your financial runway after a venture raise? Why do companies raise venture debt after a venture round?