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Providing fully subsidized, in-house legal services to the next generation of leading tech entrepreneurs.

Startup law, delivered in-house and on the house.

DMZ Counsel provides fractional general counsel specializing in startups and entrepreneurs. Our team of in-house experts, experienced lawyers, and dedicated law students are here to support your startup’s legal needs.

Get total piece of mind with fractional general counsel.

Saving founders thousands of dollars while reducing legal risk – early.

Startup-focused expertise

Tailored support for fast-growing founders.

Personalized legal support

Strategy sessions and custom contracts.

Pro bono services

In-house legal help at no cost.

How it works

Founders within the DMZ have access to a suite of resources. DMZ Counsel is simply another addition to that.

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Legal strategy sessions

These sessions help founders assess their legal needs through the help of DMZ Counsel. The goal is to minimize legal debt that will cost them more to solve in the future, or put their business at risk.

block 2

Custom contract drafting

Founders can access DMZ Counsel for a suite of legal needs by submitting a request for a deliverable to be completed. The in-house legal team works with supporting firms to complete the submitted deliverable.

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Legal education & training

Through a series of events and 1:1 sessions with law students, DMZ Counsel provides founders with the resources they need to understand their legal assets and liabilities.

Areas of support

block 1

Corporate and Commercial Work

  • Incorporation
  • Drafting or amending Articles of Incorporation (establishing two class share structure)
  • Customary by-laws
  • Shareholder and Founder Agreements
  • Advisor Agreements
  • Non-Disclosure Agreements (Mutual and One-Way)
  • Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for website
  • Legal Strategy Sessions

block 2

Employment Law

  • Stock Option Plans
  • Employment Agreements (fixed and indefinite terms)
  • Independent Contractor Agreements
  • Co-Op Student Employment Agreements
  • Legal Strategy Sessions

block 3

Intellectual Property

  • Confidentiality and Ownership of Proprietary Property (CIOPP) Agreement
  • Basic Trademark Searches
  • Legal Strategy Sessions

"DMZ Counsel program managed by Nicholas Hill is one of the most valuable services at DMZ! Nic has been a tremendous help for us to enter the Canadian market. He has supported us with key legal questions and preparing legal documentation from company setup, employment contracts to even more complex legal questions including regulatory compliance of our insurtech - Nic is the most competent person to turn to. It is a well managed program and I feel safe when working with DMZ Counsel."
Kata Ludvig
CEO & Founder, baoba insurance
"This has been the best relationship we have ever had with a legal service provider, so we're excited to work together again soon."
Evan Sitler
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, XpertVR
"Nicholas and DMZ Counsel have been invaluable in our development from a startup to a legitimate business. He's helped brainstorm and create key contracts that provide us the legal security yet startup flexibility early-stage companies want. We highly recommend Nicholas and his team at DMZ Counsel for support with any legal document you team needs"
Leonard Ivey
Co-Founder, Softdrive
"Working with Nic & DMZ Counsel is like having a Chief Legal Officer on your team. The turnaround time for important legal documents or just booking a call to chat about some legal bumps coming in the pipeline is something you can only dream of with a big law firm. DMZ Counsel is an invaluable resource for me and my startup. I cannot recommend Nic and DMZ Counsel enough for any of your legal needs at an early stage."
Jaydee Tarpeh
Founder and CEO, Avian
"As a startup founder it is always challenging to learn about every aspect of the business. Thankfully, Nic from DMZ Counsel program alleviated this by providing professional legal support that has enabled us to launch and get to market on time. To date with this help we have been able to facilitate thousands of users to co-create products."
Pativet Sathiensamrit
Founder & CEO, Lightster

DMZ Counsel is available to founders in the DMZ's Incubator program

APPLY TO INCUBATOR NOW

Our team

Juliesa Adolphus
Profile Module

Juliesa Adolphus

Partnerships and DMZ Legal Execution Lead
Nicholas Hill
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Nicholas Hill

Head, Startup Legal Support & Legal Advisor

DLA Piper team

Jamie Mandell

Jamie Mandell

Partner, DLA Piper
Sydney Kert

Sydney Kert

Partner, DLA Piper

Partners




DLA Piper is a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes. Every day we help trailblazing organizations seize business opportunities and successfully manage growth and change at speed. Through our pro bono work and community investment around the world, we help create a more just and sustainable future. Visit dlapiper.com to discover more.


The Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University is reimagining legal education in pursuit of a more just society. Its mission is to equip the lawyers of tomorrow with the contemporary skills and experience required to expand the reach of justice and respond to the evolving challenges that face Canadian society. Law students interested in working for the DMZ Counsel program can email the DMZ to inquire about opportunities here.