# Spengler & Agans, PLLC (S&A Law) > Boutique corporate law firm founded in Charlotte, NC in 2013, with a second > office in Media, PA serving Greater Philadelphia. Represents startups, > established businesses, and individuals in corporate transactions, general > counsel work, IP, privacy, and commercial disputes. Attorneys: Eric Spengler, > Justin Agans, Nathan Wenk, Shakeena Jones. Licensed in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Offers a free initial consultation; every new matter is conflict-checked before scheduling, so there is no instant online booking. Nothing on this site is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship. ## Practice areas - [Startup & Business Law](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/): Lean, right-sized counsel for founders and growing companies, formation through scale. - [LLC Formation](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/llc-formation/) - [Corporation Formation](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/corporation-formation/) - [Founders Agreements & Equity Vesting](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/founders-agreements-equity-vesting/) - [Venture Capital & Growth Financing](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/venture-capital-growth-financing/) - [Equity Incentive Plans and 409A Compliance](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/equity-incentive-plans-409a-compliance/) - [Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) Strategy](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/qualified-small-business-stock-qsbs-strategy/) - [Commercial Scaling and Contract Playbooks](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/commercial-scaling-contract-playbooks/) - [Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Governance](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/data-privacy-cybersecurity-governance/) - [Board Governance and Fiduciary Duties](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/board-governance-fiduciary-duties/) - [The Road to Exit Readiness](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/startup-business-law/road-to-exit-readiness/) - [Fractional General Counsel](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/fractional-general-counsel/): An experienced GC on your team, at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. - [Corporate Governance & Compliance](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/fractional-general-counsel/corporate-governance-compliance/) - [Contract Drafting & Negotiation](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/fractional-general-counsel/contract-drafting-negotiation/) - [Employment & HR Legal Support](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/fractional-general-counsel/employment-hr-legal-support/) - [Outside Counsel Coordination](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/fractional-general-counsel/outside-counsel-coordination/) - [Intellectual Property Strategy](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/fractional-general-counsel/intellectual-property-strategy/) - [Cap Table Management](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/fractional-general-counsel/cap-table-management/) - [Strategic Exit & Investment Readiness](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/fractional-general-counsel/strategic-exit-investment-readiness/) - [Mergers & Acquisitions](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/mergers-acquisitions/): Deal counsel for buyers, sellers, and investors, from letter of intent to close. - [Business Sales and Acquisitions](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/mergers-acquisitions/business-sales-acquisitions/) - [Letters of Intent and Deal Structuring](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/mergers-acquisitions/letters-of-intent-deal-structuring/) - [Due Diligence and Risk Management](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/mergers-acquisitions/due-diligence-risk-management/) - [Private Equity Transactions](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/mergers-acquisitions/private-equity-transactions/) - [Joint Ventures and Strategic Parnerships](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/mergers-acquisitions/joint-ventures-strategic-partnerships/) - [M&A Preparedness and “Sell-Side” Audits](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/mergers-acquisitions/ma-preparedness-sell-side-audits/) - [Management Buyouts](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/mergers-acquisitions/management-buyouts/) - [Post-Acquisition Transition and Disputes](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/mergers-acquisitions/post-acquisition-transition-disputes/) - [Intellectual Property](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/): Protecting what makes your business defensible, brands, code, and know-how. - [IP Licensing & Commercialization](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/ip-licensing-commercialization/) - [Software Licensing & SaaS Legal Support](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/software-licensing-saas-legal-support/) - [IP Due Diligence for M&A](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/ip-due-diligence-ma/) - [Trade Secret Audits & Protection](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/trade-secret-audits-protection/) - [Open-Source Software](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/open-source-software/) - [Work-for-Hire & Contractor Agreements](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/work-for-hire-contractor-agreements/) - [Internal IP Policies & Training](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/internal-ip-policies-training/) - [Trademark Registration & Strategy](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/trademark-registration-strategy/) - [Copyright Protection for Creative Works](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/intellectual-property/copyright-protection-creative-works/) - [Privacy & Data Security](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/privacy-data-security/): Practical compliance for businesses that collect, process, or sell data. - [Website Privacy Notices and Terms of Service](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/privacy-data-security/website-privacy-notices-terms-of-service/) - [State-Specific Privacy Compliance](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/privacy-data-security/state-specific-privacy-compliance/) - [Data Processing and Vendor Agreements](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/privacy-data-security/data-processing-vendor-agreements/) - [Internal Data Governance and Security Policies](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/privacy-data-security/internal-data-governance-security-policies/) - [Data Privacy Due Diligence for M&A](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/privacy-data-security/data-privacy-due-diligence-ma/) - [Civil & Commercial Litigation](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/civil-commercial-litigation/): Business disputes handled by counsel who also does the transactional work. - [Labor & Employment Law](https://s-a.law/practice-areas/labor-employment-law/): Employer-side counsel on the policies, agreements, and disputes that come with growing a team. ## Offices - [Spengler & Agans, PLLC - Charlotte](https://s-a.law/locations/charlotte/): 352 North Caswell Rd., Charlotte, NC 28204, +1-704-910-5469 - [Spengler & Agans, PLLC - Greater Philadelphia](https://s-a.law/locations/greater-philadelphia/): 1167 W. Baltimore Pike, Ste. 256, Media, PA 19063, +1-610-947-5693 ## Articles - [Trademark vs. Business Name Registration: Key Differences](https://s-a.law/blog/trademark-vs-business-name-registration/) (2026-09-10): Registering your business name with the state does not stop a competitor from using it, and most new owners find that out too late. - [Are Non-Compete Agreements Enforceable in NC and PA?](https://s-a.law/blog/non-compete-enforceability-nc-pa/) (2026-09-08): North Carolina and Pennsylvania both enforce non-competes, but the rules on consideration and court rewrites of overbroad terms differ in ways that matter. - [Independent Contractor or Employee? Why the Label Matters](https://s-a.law/blog/independent-contractor-or-employee/) (2026-09-03): Getting worker classification wrong in North Carolina or Pennsylvania can mean back taxes, unpaid overtime, and penalties that dwarf the cost of getting it right upfront. - [What a Buy-Sell Agreement Should Actually Cover](https://s-a.law/blog/buy-sell-agreement-key-provisions/) (2026-09-01): A buy-sell agreement is the document that decides what happens to your business when an owner dies, divorces, or wants to leave, so it needs to answer those questions before they happen. - [Do You Need an Assumed Business Name in North Carolina?](https://s-a.law/blog/assumed-business-name-north-carolina/) (2026-08-25): North Carolina's assumed business name rules changed in 2017, and the county-versus-statewide filing trap still catches business owners off guard. - [Do I Have to File an Annual Report in North Carolina?](https://s-a.law/blog/nc-annual-report-requirements/) (2026-08-20): North Carolina requires most LLCs and corporations to file an annual report every year, and missing it can eventually cost you your entity entirely. - [Member Loans vs. Capital Contributions: Get the Paperwork Right](https://s-a.law/blog/member-loans-vs-capital-contributions/) (2026-08-18): Whether money into your LLC is a loan or a capital contribution changes how it's taxed and who gets paid first, and most operating agreements never say which one applies. - [How Do I Apply for a DBA in Pennsylvania?](https://s-a.law/blog/how-do-i-apply-for-a-dba-in-pa/) (2026-08-13): A step-by-step look at registering a fictitious name in Pennsylvania, including the newspaper publication step most owners miss. - [What Happens If One Partner Wants to Leave an LLC](https://s-a.law/blog/what-happens-if-one-partner-wants-to-leave-an-llc/) (2026-08-11): When one LLC member wants out, the operating agreement, not gut instinct, should decide what happens next, and default state law fills the gaps if it doesn't. - [Dissolving an LLC in North Carolina: Steps and Mistakes to Avoid](https://s-a.law/blog/dissolve-llc-north-carolina/) (2026-08-11): A practical walkthrough of how to dissolve an LLC in North Carolina, and the winding-up missteps that expose members to personal liability. - [Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in PA?](https://s-a.law/blog/can-i-be-my-own-registered-agent-in-pa/) (2026-04-20): You can be your own registered agent in Pennsylvania, but it may expose you to privacy risks and missed legal notices; many businesses switch to a professional service as they grow. - [Vendor Agreements That Protect User Data](https://s-a.law/blog/vendor-agreements-protect-user-data/) (2026-03-10): Vendor agreements should limit data use, require safeguards, set timelines, control subcontractors, and require data deletion or return. - [Shop Right Doctrine and Employee Inventions for Startup Founders](https://s-a.law/blog/shop-right-doctrine-employee-inventions/) (2026-01-27): A shop right is only a limited license, not ownership. See how founders can protect employee inventions with PIIAs and avoid investor due diligence issues. - [Open Source Software Risk: Navigating Licenses to Avoid IP Infringement Claims](https://s-a.law/blog/open-source-software-license-ip-risks/) (2026-01-15): Using open source software without understanding license obligations can expose businesses to IP claims, lost deals, and compliance failures. - [How to Protect Yourself from Personal Liability in Your Business](https://s-a.law/blog/protect-personal-liability-business/) (2025-12-21): Business owners can face personal liability without proper protections. Learn how entity formation, formalities, and insurance help protect personal assets. - [Registered Agents and Offices for Pennsylvania LLCs](https://s-a.law/blog/registered-agent-pennsylvania-llc/) (2025-12-09): Understand why Pennsylvania LLCs must maintain a registered office or agent, what the law requires, and when to use a Commercial Registered Office Provider. - [The Founder’s Agreement: Why a Handshake Won’t Protect Your Startup’s Future](https://s-a.law/blog/founders-agreement-for-startups/) (2025-12-09): Learn why handshake deals put startups at risk and how a Founder’s Agreement protects equity, roles, and long-term stability, guidance for Pennsylvania founders. - [How to Make Sure Your Business Complies With State and Federal Regulations](https://s-a.law/blog/business-compliance-state-federal-regulations/) (2025-12-09): Business compliance requires meeting federal, state, and industry regulations. Learn how to reduce risk and keep your company legally compliant. - [Control and Continuity: Transferring Membership Interests in a PA LLC](https://s-a.law/blog/transferring-membership-interests-pa-llc/) (2025-12-08): PA LLC membership transfers affect both economic and management rights. Our business lawyers explain how to protect control, continuity, and ownership. - [Pennsylvania Annual Report Filing for LLCs and Corporations](https://s-a.law/blog/pa-annual-report-filing-requirements/) (2025-12-02): Learn the new Pennsylvania annual report rules for LLCs and corporations starting in 2025. Stay compliant and protect your business with our guidance. - [Dissolution Guide for Multi-Member LLC in Pennsylvania](https://s-a.law/blog/dissolve-multi-member-llc-pennsylvania/) (2025-11-25): Learn how to dissolve and liquidate a multi-member LLC in PA, from reviewing the operating agreement to voting, winding up, and final termination steps. - [Additional Capital Contributions in Multi-Member LLCs](https://s-a.law/blog/additional-capital-contributions-llcs/) (2025-11-18): Learn how additional capital contributions affect ownership, voting rights, and financial stability in multi-member LLCs from Spengler & Agans. - [A Practical Guide to LLC Distributions Under Pennsylvania Law](https://s-a.law/blog/pennsylvania-llc-distribution-guide/) (2025-11-17): Learn how LLC distributions work under Pennsylvania law, including default rules, tax issues, and best practices for compliant and well-structured payouts. - [Understanding Capital Accounts in Pennsylvania Limited Liability Companies](https://s-a.law/blog/capital-accounts-in-pennsylvania-llcs/) (2025-11-15): Learn how capital accounts impact ownership, equity, and taxes in Pennsylvania LLCs. Spengler & Agans explain key considerations for startup founders. - [Understanding the S-Election for Pennsylvania LLCs: What Tech Startups Need to Know](https://s-a.law/blog/s-election-for-pennsylvania-llcs/) (2025-11-07): Pennsylvania tech founders can benefit from an S-election for LLCs. Learn how this tax choice affects equity and growth with guidance from Spengler & Agans. - [Understanding Initial Capital Contributions in Multi-Member LLCs](https://s-a.law/blog/additional-capital-contributions-multi-member-llcs/) (2025-11-03): Learn how additional capital contributions impact your Pennsylvania LLC. Understand legal rights, ownership changes, and what members need to know. - [Step-by-Step Guide to Registering an LLC in Pennsylvania](https://s-a.law/blog/register-llc-in-pennsylvania-step-by-step/) (2025-10-05): Learn how to form an LLC in Pennsylvania: name checks, PA Bureau of Corporations filing, registered office, operating agreement, taxes, and next steps. - [Choosing Between a Delaware C-Corporation and an LLC](https://s-a.law/news-insights/delaware-c-corp-vs-llc/) (2025-06-30): The right entity depends on whether you're planning to raise venture capital, distribute profits to a small group of owners, or something in between. There's no universal right answer. - [Understanding Trade Secrets for Pennsylvania Small Businesses](https://s-a.law/news-insights/trade-secrets-for-pennsylvania-small-businesses/) (2025-05-27): Trade secret protection is free and automatic, but only if you actually treat the information like a secret. Here's what Pennsylvania law expects small businesses to do. - [Equity Vesting Schedules for Startup Founders](https://s-a.law/news-insights/equity-vesting-schedules-for-founders/) (2025-04-22): Vesting schedules protect the company and its investors from a co-founder who leaves early, but the details of cliffs, acceleration, and repurchase rights are where founders get burned. - [Limitation of Liability Clauses: Capping Your Legal Risk](https://s-a.law/news-insights/limitation-of-liability-clauses/) (2025-03-18): A well-drafted limitation of liability clause is one of the few contract terms that can single-handedly decide whether a bad outcome is a manageable cost or a company-ending event. - [Master Service Agreements vs. Statements of Work: What's the Difference?](https://s-a.law/news-insights/msa-vs-sow/) (2025-02-11): An MSA and an SOW do different jobs in a commercial relationship. Knowing which terms belong in which document keeps every new project from turning into a fresh negotiation. - [How Long Does it Take to Form a New Business in North Carolina?](https://s-a.law/news-insights/form-new-business-north-carolina/) (2016-05-25): It’s important that you form your company before you start operating your business in North Carolina. Filing with the state takes longer than expected. ## Key pages - [Our Firm](https://s-a.law/about/) - [Our Team](https://s-a.law/our-team/) - [Contact](https://s-a.law/contact/)