# https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site ## Posts - [Celebrating Service: Michael Perez Receives BBA's Mary K. Ryan Pro Bono Award.](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/celebrating-service-michael-perez-receives-bbas-mary-k-ryan-pro-bono-award/): Touchstone Strategic Law is thrilled to share that Michael Perez (co-founder and Managing Partner) has been honored by the Boston Bar Association (“BBA”) with the 2025 “Mary K. Ryan Achievement in Pro Bono Award”. Mike, as well as six other honorees, was presented with the award on October 30, 2025 at the BBA’s “Spirit of the Bar” event – an inspirational evening celebrating service, leadership, inclusion and community. The Mary K. Ryan Achievement in Pro Bono Award was established in memory of former BBA president Mary Ryan and is given annually to individuals who embody her legacy as a dedicated advocate and […] - [Leaving your 9 to 5 (Legal Crash Course for Entrepreneurs, pt.1)](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/leaving-your-9-to-5/): Hello, reader! Welcome to this series where we will discuss the legal side of turning your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Everyone talks about being your own boss and starting your own business—being master of your own fate, an indomitable force, the captain of your soul. All of that is beautiful and fantastic! But how do you go from your 9-to-5 to your first day as CEO…while still owning your idea and being ready to catch fire? Meet Morgan and Blake. They are  data scientists who work on coding and technology for a large tech company. They wake up every morning […] - [Trade Secret Vs Patent – What Makes You Different](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/trade-secret-vs-patent/): At some point in building a company, every found asks themselves: “Do I actually have something here that needs protecting?”, and what’s worth asking is “Who would win in a Trade Secret Vs Patent?” It’s a fair question. Maybe it’s a piece of technology you’ve poured months into. Maybe it’s a process that gives you an advantage. Maybe it’s the “secret sauce” that makes your product work in a way competitors can’t copy. If any of that sounds familiar, you’re in the territory of patents and trade secrets — two different ways to safeguard what makes your business unique. Two […] - [Where to Incorporate? (Legal Crash Course for Entrepreneurs, pt. 2)](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/where-to-incorporate-legal/): Good day fellow reader, and welcome to Part 2 of this series called “Law for Entrepreneurs, A Crash Course.” where we are lighting the path for you to start your own venture, leave your nine to five, and be the owner of your own future. We are answering questions about the what, the why, and the which. In this post we jump to the where. Where should I start my business? Well, most likely you will start your business from the comfort of your house, because working from home is the dream, and you make your own schedule (or perhaps […] - [Dividing up Ownership (Legal Crash Course for Entrepreneurs, pt. 3)](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/the-law-is-hard-but-it-is-the-law/): Hi there! We hope that this series on startups helps you pursue your vision. (If you haven’t read parts 1 and 2, be sure to check them out!) Today we’re diving into the magical world of corporate structure, specifically ownership structure.  A little knowledge about setting up your company can do a lot for later attracting talent, securing funding, and making your new company a joy to drive. Starting a company is like setting up your own little democratic society, with voters, a constitution, and elected officials. In this post, we’ll focus on the voters, who in the case of a company […] - [Dividing Up Power (Legal Crash Course for Entrepreneurs, pt. 4)](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/the-more-corrupt-the-state-the-more-numerous-the-laws/): Hello, Reader, It’s been quite a journey! If you’ve been following along, on behalf of Touchstone Strategic Law, thank you! And if you’re new to this series, feel free to catch up with Parts 1, 2, and 3. We’ve offered guidance about leaving your 9-to-5 to creating your business entity and dividing ownership. Now, we’re entering the end of this series with a primer on corporate governance.  Your company has a government that is supposed to represent its best interests, that makes decisions on behalf of the owners, the citizens of your company. You get to set up the government! No need […] - [Hiring Early TeamMembers (Legal Crash Course for Entrepreneurs, pt. 5)](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/laws-are-like-cobwebs-which-may-catch-small-flies-but-let-wasps-and-hornets-break-through/): Hello, Reader. If you’ve been following along with this series, you’ve already tackled the big legal questions for launching your startup: leaving your 9-to-5, setting up your business entity, and divvying up ownership of your new company. (If you’re just joining us, no worries—catch up on Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 whenever you’re ready.) Now, let’s get into the legal side of building your early team. Whether you’re hiring your first employee, bringing on a contractor, or enlisting the wisdom of an advisor, it’s crucial to understand the differences—and the legal implications—of each role. So, grab a coffee (or a glass […] - [Equity for Early Team-Members (Legal Crash Course for Entrepreneurs, pt. 6)](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/we-may-brave-human-laws-but-we-cannot-resist-natural-ones/): By now, if you’ve been keeping up with this series, you’ve probably covered the heavy stuff—leaving your comfy 9-to-5, setting up your startup, and figuring out how to divvy up ownership. (And hey, if you’re just jumping in now, don’t stress. You can always catch up on Parts 1 through 4 before you dive in here!) But today, we’re going to talk about  the next big step  for your business: distributing equity to your team.  is one of the most exciting (and sometimes confusing) parts of startup life. Let’s get you oriented. We’ll focus on corporations, since that is the most […] ## Pages - [Billing Frequently Asked Questions](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/billing-frequently-asked-questions/): Billing Frequently Asked Questions At Touchstone Strategic Law, we believe in providing clear, transparent, and flexible billing options tailored to your specific needs. Our firm is focused on building cost-effective, long-term partnerships with every client. The questions below provide further detail on our various fee structures and billing processes. Billing FAQs Schedule a Consultation To discuss your legal needs with our team, please complete the form below or email us directly at info@touchstonestrategiclaw.com. Schedule a Consultation To discuss your legal needs with our team, please complete the form below or email us directly at info@touchstonestrategiclaw.com - [Home](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/): Legal expertise foryour venture, your vision. Based in Boston, MA • Supporting business nationwide Our Clients Some industries where we work: Technology e.g. software and hardware, from startup to exit. Biotech e.g. biotech, pharma, and adjacent markets.  Consultancies e.g. marketing, software, and management Investing e.g. real estate, venture capital, and private funds Read more about how we help >> Our Team Elizabeth Norman Managing Partner elizabeth@touchstone-law.com Michael Perez Managing Partner michael@touchstone-law.com Benjamin Serrano Paralegal ben@touchstone-law.com Client Testimonials Blogs Explore Our Blog Series - [Boutique Tax Services](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/boutique-tax-expertise/): Boutique Tax Expertise Big Law experience and expertise. Boutique rates.  We provide boutique tax expertise to corporate law firms, accounting firms, investment banks and management companies – and we work directly with companies and investment funds. ​We serve as “external” in-house tax counsel to clients across industries, allowing clients to benefit from (and offer) top-tier tax expertise that would otherwise be inaccessible. Let’s Work Together! Whether working with partner law firms or directly with clients, our goal is to offer cooperative, tailored expertise and unparalleled service. Contact the head of our tax department, Elizabeth Norman, at elizabeth@touchstone-law.com or 617-635-6055Or fill out the form to get started. […] - [Our Clients](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/our-clients-startups-investors/): Startups Investors Social Ventures Boutique Tax Expertise Plus, more expertise in our partner network: Let’s Work Together! Our firm is Based in Boston, MA, and supports Business nationwide.  Email us at info@touchstonestrategiclaw.com or fill out the form to get started. We look forward to working with you! Let’s Work Together! Our firm is Based in Boston, MA, and supports Business nationwide.  Email us at info@touchstonestrategiclaw.com or fill out the form to get started. We look forward to working with you! - [Who We Are](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/who-we-are/): Nice to meet you! Our team has spent years helping entrepreneurs, companies, investment firms, and investors reach their goals. We’ve done this as outside counsel and in-house counsel. We’ve been through it as entrepreneurs ourselves. This is what makes Touchstone special. We are our clients’ partners and counsel in support of their vision, not just an expert called in to identify problems periodically. From our first conversation, we align with your business objectives and help you achieve them as smoothly and productively as possible. We can provide expert guidance on the optimal structure and economics of a transaction, from reorganizations to multi-billion dollar sales. […] - [Contact](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/contact-touchstone-boston-based/): Contact Us Our firm is Based in Boston, MA, and supports Business nationwide. Email us at info@touchstonestrategiclaw.com or fill out the form to get started. We look forward to working with you! Reach Out Got a Question? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. - [Blog](https://touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/blog/) ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/touchstone-law.stagingwebpage.site/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)