Find a Lawyer · Startup, Company And Contracts
How to Choose the Right Startup, Company And Contracts Lawyer in India
Early-stage founders often pick a lawyer by referral and hope for the best. But the right startup and company lawyer is the one who actually does this work: company incorporation, a founders agreement, a shareholders agreement, an NDA, a term sheet, contract review and an MSA. This guide walks you through how to find, check and choose that person before you sign anything you cannot undo.
- Match the task: company incorporation, founders agreement, shareholders agreement, NDA, term sheet, MSA or contract review.
- Verify enrolment: only an advocate enrolled under the Advocates Act, 1961 can represent you.
- Listed is not verified is not entitled to practise: confirm enrolment yourself.
- Fees vary: no fixed national fee; get a written estimate and ask if government fees are separate.
- Watch for conflict: your lawyer should not quietly act for co-founders or investors too.
- Not legal advice: prepared by the Claw team, last reviewed 2026.
01First, match the lawyer to your stage
Startup and corporate work is broad. A lawyer who is great at company incorporation may not be the right person for a venture term sheet, and a litigator may not be who you want for day-to-day contract review. Get clear on what you actually need:
- Setting up: company incorporation, founder paperwork, and a founders agreement.
- Protecting information: an NDA before you share plans with partners or vendors.
- Raising money: a term sheet and a shareholders agreement with investors.
- Doing business: contract review and an MSA with customers and suppliers.
Once you can name the task, ask every lawyer a simple question: have you done this exact work, and roughly how often. For a fuller view of the role, see what a startup and corporate lawyer does.
02Listed vs verified vs entitled to practise
Three things sound alike but are different, and the difference protects you:
- Listed means a name appears on a directory. That is just an advertisement slot.
- Verified means a platform has checked some details, usually identity and enrolment. Useful, but checks vary.
- Entitled to practise is the real test: an advocate must be enrolled with a State Bar Council under the Advocates Act, 1961 (see Section 22 on the certificate of enrolment).
Do not blur these three
A polished profile is not proof that someone can draft your shareholders agreement or review your MSA. Always confirm enrolment yourself.
03How to verify a lawyer in 10 minutes
- Ask for the enrolment number and State Bar Council, and cross-check it.
- Ask about real transactional experience: company incorporation, founders agreement, shareholders agreement, term sheet, NDA, MSA and contract review, not just litigation.
- Ask who will do your work, the named lawyer or a junior.
- Ask for a written fee estimate with a clear scope.
- Check for conflict, especially if they act for your co-founders or investors.
04What it costs, honestly
There is no single government-set lawyer fee in India. Fees vary by city, seniority and complexity. Treat these as typical ranges and confirm with the lawyer.
| Work | Typical professional fee range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First consultation | Rs 500 to Rs 3,000 | Some adjust it against later work |
| NDA or simple contract review | Rs 2,000 to Rs 15,000 | Depends on length and risk |
| Company incorporation (legal work) | Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 | Government and filing fees separate |
| Founders or shareholders agreement | Rs 15,000 upward | Varies widely with complexity |
Government fees, for example company incorporation charges on the MCA portal, are separate from the lawyer's fee. Ask whether a quote includes them.
05Free and low-cost options
If you are an early founder on a tight budget, check whether you qualify for free legal aid under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (Sections 12 and 13), through NALSA and the State and District Legal Services Authorities. Many startup support bodies and incubators also offer basic legal templates, though a template is no substitute for proper advice on a founders agreement or a term sheet that will shape your company for years.
06Red flags to walk away from
- No written fee note, or a demand for large cash with no receipt.
- Vagueness about enrolment or refusal to share a number.
- No real transactional experience, just general practice.
- One lawyer trying to represent you and your co-founders or investors at once without flagging the conflict.
- Pressure to sign a term sheet or shareholders agreement without reading it.
A good corporate lawyer slows you down at the right moments. Anyone who rushes you to sign is a warning sign.
07How Claw helps you find the right lawyer
Claw is an all-in-one legaltech platform for Indian advocates, law firms, and corporate legal teams, combining AI-based case search, an AI legal assistant (Legal GPT), case management, and compliance automation across all Indian courts and tribunals.
Claw Find a Lawyer helps you find the right advocate for your company. You describe your matter, whether it is company incorporation, a founders agreement, a shareholders agreement, an NDA, a term sheet, an MSA or contract review, in a short guided chat, and Claw connects you with a verified, independent advocate who handles that kind of corporate and contracts work, for an online or in-person consultation, in your state or city where possible.
Start with a free basic request, or a Rs 99 priority request for faster matching when a signing deadline is near. The advocate is independent and practises on their own, and the professional fee for your matter is paid directly to that advocate and not shared with Claw, in line with Bar Council of India rules (Rule 36). Claw is a technology platform that helps you find and reach the right lawyer. It is not a law firm, is not your advocate, and this page is not legal advice.
08Frequently asked questions
Do I need a specialist corporate lawyer or will any lawyer do?
For transactional work such as a founders agreement, shareholders agreement, term sheet, NDA, MSA or contract review, you want a lawyer who does corporate and contracts work regularly. A litigator or general practitioner may not draft these documents well. Ask directly how much of this specific work they do.
How do I verify a startup lawyer is genuine?
Ask for the enrolment number and the State Bar Council they are enrolled with, then cross-check it. Enrolment under the Advocates Act, 1961 is what entitles a person to practise. A listing or a verified badge on a website is helpful but is not the same as confirming enrolment, so do that step yourself.
What should a startup or corporate lawyer cost in India?
There is no fixed national fee. A consultation is often Rs 500 to Rs 3,000, an NDA or simple contract review often Rs 2,000 to Rs 15,000, and a founders or shareholders agreement typically Rs 15,000 upward, all varying by city, seniority and complexity. Government fees, such as MCA incorporation charges, are separate. Confirm everything in writing.
Can one lawyer act for all the co-founders?
They can, but it must be disclosed, because the founders' interests can diverge, for example when a founders agreement sets out equity and exit terms. A good lawyer will flag the conflict and may suggest separate advice on key points. Be cautious of anyone who glosses over this.
Is an online consultation fine for contract and company work?
Yes, mostly. Drafting and reviewing an NDA, a term sheet, a shareholders agreement or an MSA, and advising on company incorporation, all work well over an online consultation and save time. Some filings and signings may need specific steps the advocate will handle. Choosing the right lawyer matters more than physical proximity.