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The legal playbook for Canadian founders — from incorporation to exit.

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238 pages · 9 chapters · by John Wires

The Law
for
Founders
A Guide to Protecting
Your Startup
John Wires

If you can't answer these, you need this book.

“Who actually owns the code your developer wrote?”
“What happens when your cofounder wants out?”
“Can your investor force you to sell?”
“Are you personally liable for your startup's debts?”
“Is your privacy policy actually legal?”
“What's the difference between being fired and being terminated?”
“Do you really need a shareholders' agreement?”
“What's a SAFE note — and is it actually safe?”
“What happens to your IP if you don't incorporate?”

What's Inside

9 chapters. 238 pages. Zero jargon.

01
Lift Off

The naming mistakes that get startups sued before they ship.

02
Business Vehicles

Why "just incorporate" is terrible advice without context.

03
Founder Agreements

The document that prevents 90% of cofounder breakups.

04
Raising Capital

Convertible notes, SAFEs, and the terms VCs hope you don't read.

05
Holding Companies

The structure sophisticated founders use that most never learn about.

06
Intellectual Property

Your code, your brand, your ideas — and who really owns them.

07
Employees & Contractors

The misclassification risk that can cost you six figures.

08
Internet Businesses

Privacy law, anti-spam rules, and the terms you actually need.

09
The Exit

When it's time to sell — and how to not leave money on the table.

Download the Full Book — Free

As featured in

Globe and Mail • CBC News • Toronto Star • Financial Post • TechVibes
“
There are known risks and unknown risks that lurk in the future for every founder. This book intends to shift some of the unknown risks — the ones you might not have even contemplated — and make them known risks for you to navigate on the way to success.

— from the Introduction

John Wires
wires/law

About the Author

John Wires, B.A., J.D.

John Wires is a Canadian corporate lawyer who has been advising founders and technology companies since 2013. He's represented software companies, app developers, e-commerce platforms, and SaaS businesses across Canada.

John has been featured in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, CBC News, and Financial Post. He's lectured at Toronto Metropolitan University, Communitech, and the Canadian Bar Association.

He also happens to be a former NCAA Division I and OHL hockey player — so yes, he's competitive.

Free Download

Read the book.

It's free. All 238 pages.

“If your business is worth protecting, this book is worth reading.”

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· · ·

Next Step

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416.549.5922 · info@wireslaw.ca

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