Technical.ly is a free news resource thanks to financial supporters like Ballard Spahr, a Technical.ly client. Ballard Spahr reviewed this article before publication.Growing a startup is so much more than creating a product and finding customers. Entrepreneurs have to endure a gauntlet of challenges that may be unrelated to their company’s core mission but are essential to maintaining a healthy business.It can be helpful to have outside support and guidance, especially in legal matters that, if unaddressed or handled incorrectly, could have devastating consequences. Ballard Spahr, a national law firm and Technical.ly client, provides that support to startup founders through its Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Group, helping with every step of a company’s lifecycle from incorporation and financing to corporate governance and regulatory compliance.While the firm’s clients get the full attention of their attorneys and staff, Kimberly Klayman, the practice leader of Ballard Spahr’s ECVC group, also offers expertise to the broader public through a regular column on Technical.ly, focused around startups’ most common legal concerns.Check out a sample of previous installments in the series below, and if you’re interested in Ballard Spahr’s services, connect with them through Technical.ly’s Preferred Partners directory.Explore how founder secondaries can offer liquidity to startup founders before an exit event, and learn about the legal considerations involved in these transactions.“The prevalence of secondaries in the current startup market continues to rise, and they are an incredibly useful tool for investors and founders to reward key holders, keep them engaged and ensure that the business continues to grow towards a lucrative later-stage exit,” said Klayman.Learn about deceptive design practices known as “dark patterns,” their legal risks, and how businesses can mitigate potential liabilities.“Dark patterns are generally understood to mean practices that mislead or manipulate consumers into taking actions that do not reflect their true intent, choices or consent,” said Klayman. “Federal and state regulators have responded with increased scrutiny of these practices, bringing several high-profile enforcement actions against companies for employing them.”Understand the patent process, including the types of patents available and strategic considerations for entrepreneurs seeking to protect their innovations.“I always say have at least a conversation with counsel to understand the process and to understand where the landmines are,” said Scott D. Marty, a partner at Ballard Spahr

Ballard Spahr, Rob baron shortlisted for Managing IP Americas Awards.