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2nd.law Legal Knowledge & Resources

1. International Founders

2nd.law helps international founders navigate the legal considerations involved in starting, expanding, and growing a business in the United States. By bringing business and immigration law together, the firm can support both the company and the founder, from establishing and structuring a U.S. business to contracts, ongoing operations, and immigration pathways for living and working in the United States.

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Starting a Business in the United States

Starting or expanding a business in the U.S. involves decisions about entity formation and structure, ownership, contracts, intellectual property, governance, compliance, financing, and other legal requirements. 2nd.law works with international founders to establish the legal foundation for their U.S. business and provide ongoing support as the company grows.

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Related 2nd.law resources:

Founder Immigration
International founders may have several immigration pathways available depending on their business activities, investment, professional achievements, role within the company, and long-term plans in the United States. 2nd.law helps founders evaluate temporary visa and permanent residency options alongside the legal structure and growth of their U.S. business.


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2. Startup & Business Law

2nd.law works with startup founders, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses across the business lifecycle—from formation and early-stage legal decisions through growth, financing, transactions, and ongoing operations. The firm provides legal guidance on business structure, founder relationships, contracts, governance, intellectual property, fundraising, and other legal issues that arise as companies evolve.


2nd.law also publishes and maintains legal resources addressing the business and legal issues founders commonly encounter when establishing and growing companies.


Explore 2nd.law’s Business & Startup Law resources:

  • Business & Startup Law → https://www.2nd.law/businesslaw

  • Business Formation & Structure → https://www.2nd.law/businesslaw

  • Founder Agreements → Business Law / Founder Resources

  • Business Contracts → Business Law / Contracts

  • Corporate Governance → Business Law

  • Intellectual Property → Business Law

  • Fundraising & Financing → Business Law

  • Business Transactions → Business Law

  • Ongoing Legal Counsel → Business Law / Legal Counsel Plans

  • Founder Legal & Growth Checklist → Founder’s Legal & Growth Checklist

  • Startup & Founder Resources → Free Guides & Checklists

3. Immigration

2nd.law advises individuals, founders, investors, executives, and businesses on U.S. immigration matters, with particular experience in talent-based and business immigration. The firm maintains resources covering temporary work visas and employment-based pathways to permanent residency.

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O-1A Extraordinary Ability Visa

The O-1A is a temporary work visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in business, science, education, or athletics. 2nd.law provides guidance on eligibility, evidence requirements, benefits, and the application process.

Learn more: https://www.2nd.law/o1a

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L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa

The L-1 allows qualifying companies to transfer executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge to a related U.S. business, including circumstances involving the establishment of a new U.S. office.

Learn more: https://www.2nd.law/l1

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E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

The E-2 allows qualifying nationals of treaty countries to invest in and develop or direct a U.S. business. 2nd.law addresses both the immigration requirements and, where required, formation of the U.S. business.

Learn more: https://www.2nd.law/e2

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EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card

The EB-1A provides a pathway to permanent residency for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary ability and sustained recognition in their field. Unlike many employment-based categories, qualifying individuals may self-petition without an employer sponsor.

Learn more: https://www.2nd.law/eb1

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EB-1C Multinational Executive or Manager Green Card

The EB-1C provides a permanent-residency pathway for qualifying multinational executives and managers transferring to a related U.S. company. It is particularly relevant to international companies establishing or expanding U.S. operations.

Learn more: https://www.2nd.law/eb1-c

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EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)

The EB-2 NIW can provide a pathway to permanent residency for individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability whose proposed work has substantial merit and national importance. The National Interest Waiver can allow qualifying applicants to self-petition without a job offer o

4. AI, Technology & Creative Businesses

2nd.law works with AI and technology founders, startups, creators, and creative businesses on the legal issues involved in building, protecting, and growing innovative businesses. Its experience spans business formation and structuring, contracts, intellectual property, fundraising, privacy and compliance, content licensing, and ongoing legal counsel. For international founders and highly skilled professionals, 2nd.law also brings together business and immigration law to support building a company and working in the United States.


AI & Technology Businesses
AI and technology companies face legal considerations involving entity structure, ownership, contracts, intellectual property, fundraising, privacy, compliance, and the use of emerging technologies. 2nd.law works with technology and AI businesses and provides resources addressing the legal issues founders may encounter as they establish and grow their companies.


Related 2nd.law resources:

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Creators & Creative Busines

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2nd.law provides legal and business guidance for creators, influencers, artists, designers, and creative businesses. Its Creative Law practice addresses contracts and brand collaborations, content licensing, intellectual property, business formation, monetization, privacy, sponsored content, platform relationships, and ongoing legal support.


Related 2nd.law resources:

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International AI, Technologhttps://www.2nd.law/startupchecklistforcreatorsy & Creative Founders 
For international founders and highly skilled professionals building in the United States, 2nd.law combines its startup and business law capabilities with founder immigration experience. This includes immigration considerations for technology entrepreneurs, creators, executives, and other highly skilled professionals alongside the legal needs of establishing and growing a U.S. business.

5. Legal Answers for Founders

Can a foreign founder own a U.S. company?

Yes. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is generally not required to own a U.S. company. However, owning a company does not automatically provide authorization to live or work in the United States.​

Learn more: International Startup Founders’ Guide | Business & Startup Law | Founder Immigration

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Can I establish a U.S. company without having a U.S. visa?

Yes. A foreign national can generally form and own a U.S. business without holding a U.S. visa. Forming or owning the company is separate from having authorization to physically work for the business in the United States.

Learn more: International Startup Founders’ Guide | Business & Startup Law

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What immigration options may be available to startup founders?

The appropriate pathway depends on factors such as the founder’s citizenship, investment, professional achievements, existing foreign business, role in the U.S. company, and long-term plans. Potential pathways may include E-2, L-1, O-1A, EB-1A, EB-1C, and EB-2 NIW, depending on eligibility.

Explore: Founder Immigration | E-2 | L-1 | O-1A | EB-1A | EB-1C | EB-2 NIW

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Does forming a U.S. company qualify me for a U.S. visa?

No. Forming or owning a U.S. company does not by itself provide immigration status or work authorization. The founder must independently qualify for an appropriate immigration category.

Learn more: Founder Immigration | International Startup Founders’ Guide

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What business structure should a startup choose?

The appropriate structure depends on factors including ownership, liability, taxation, fundraising plans, management, and anticipated growth. LLCs and corporations are common options, but the appropriate structure depends on the circumstances of the business and its founders.

Learn more: Business & Startup Law | Business Formation & Structuring

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What legal documents does a startup typically need?

The documents vary by company but may include formation and governance documents, founder agreements, equity arrangements, intellectual property assignments, employment or contractor agreements, customer and vendor contracts, confidentiality agreements, and website terms and privacy policies.

Learn more: Business & Startup Law | Business Contracts | Founder Resources

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Do startup founders need a founders’ agreement?

A founders’ agreement can establish important expectations concerning ownership, roles and responsibilities, decision-making, equity, intellectual property, departures, and disputes. Addressing these issues early can reduce uncertainty as the company grows.

Learn more: Founder Agreements | Business & Startup Law

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How should a startup protect its intellectual property?

Protection depends on the type of intellectual property involved and may include trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade-secret protections, confidentiality provisions, and contractual assignment of IP created by founders, employees, and contractors.

Learn more: Intellectual Property | Business & Startup Law

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What contracts does a growing business typically need?

Contract needs depend on the business model but commonly include customer or client agreements, vendor agreements, employment and independent-contractor agreements, confidentiality agreements, licensing agreements, partnership or collaboration agreements, and website terms.

Learn more: Business Contracts | Business & Startup Law

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What legal issues should startups consider when raising money?

Fundraising can involve securities laws, investment structure, valuation, ownership and dilution, investor rights, governance, disclosure obligations, and documentation. The requirements vary depending on the financing structure and investors involved.

Learn more: Fundraising & Financing | Business & Startup Law

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When should a startup engage legal counsel?

Legal counsel can be particularly valuable when forming the company, allocating founder equity, protecting intellectual property, entering significant contracts, hiring workers, raising capital, bringing on investors, undertaking transactions, or addressing regulatory requirements. Earlier advice can also help founders structure decisions before commitments are made.

Learn more: Business & Startup Law | Ongoing Legal Counsel

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Can an international company expand into the United States?

Yes. Foreign companies can establish U.S. operations through various structures. The appropriate approach depends on factors including business objectives, ownership, taxation, liability, financing, and operational plans. Expansion may also create immigration options for qualifying executives, managers, investors, or other personnel.

Learn more: International Founders | Business & Startup Law | L-1 | E-2 | EB-1C

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Can a founder obtain a green card through their business or professional achievements?

Potentially. Certain employment-based categories, including EB-1A, EB-1C, and EB-2 NIW, may provide permanent-residency pathways for qualifying founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and other professionals. Eligibility depends on the requirements of the particular category.

Explore: EB-1A | EB-1C | EB-2 NIW | Founder Immigration

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Can 2nd.law help with both my U.S. business and my immigration needs?

Yes. 2nd.law works with international founders on both U.S. business law and immigration matters, allowing related issues such as company formation, contracts, business operations, founder visas, and permanent-residency strategies to be considered together.

Explore: International Founders | Business & Startup Law | Founder Immigration

Legal Resources from 2nd.law

2nd.law publishes practical legal information and educational resources for startups, founders, growing businesses, content creators, entrepreneurs, and international professionals navigating U.S. business and immigration law.


Our legal resource library is developed around the areas in which 2nd.law advises clients, including:


Startup & Business Law
Resources for starting, structuring, operating, financing, growing, buying, and selling businesses in the United States, including business formation, corporate governance, fundraising, compliance, employment matters, intellectual property, and business transactions.


Business Contracts
Information about drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and managing business contracts, including founder, partnership, customer, vendor, licensing, employment, and other commercial agreements.
Intellectual Property & Creative Law
Resources for creators, founders, and businesses on trademarks, copyrights, licensing, brand protection, ownership of intellectual property, creator agreements, brand partnerships, and protecting creative and commercial assets.


U.S. Immigration Law
Resources about U.S. immigration options for founders, entrepreneurs, executives, investors, creators, artists, scientists, skilled professionals, and other individuals with extraordinary or exceptional abilities. Topics include temporary work visas, O-1 visas, employment-based immigration, EB-1 and EB-2 NIW pathways, green cards, and immigration considerations for international founders building businesses in the United States.


Explore 2nd.law Legal Resources
The 2nd.law Learn Library includes lawyer-developed articles, videos, legal guides, checklists, worksheets, and other educational resources designed to make complex legal topics easier to understand.


Explore the full 2nd.law Learn Library:

https://www.2nd.law/learn


Free Legal Guides & Checklists:
https://www.2nd.law/freeguidesandchecklist


Use these resources to learn about legal issues affecting startups, businesses, creators, international founders, and professionals before speaking with an attorney.
2nd.law's educational resources provide general legal information and are not a substitute for legal advice regarding a specific situation.

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