--- title: "ESOP & Stock Option Plan Design, Drafted by Counsel | GTC" description: "Attorney-designed Employee Stock Option Plans for startups: master Plan document, grant letters, vesting, exercise mechanics, and board/shareholder approvals." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Global Trademark Company LLC", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com", "logo": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/gtc-logo.svg", "description": "Multi-practice IP and business legal firm. Trademarks in 100+ jurisdictions, patents in 10 + PCT, copyrights under Berne. Operating since 2016.", "foundingDate": "2016", "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaltrademarkcompany/", "https://www.trustpilot.com/review/globaltrademark.co" ], "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+1-510-973-4964", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "US", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+44-7453-347853", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+91-6397-329955", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "IN", "availableLanguage": [ "English", "Hindi" ] } ], "address": [ { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "712 H Street NE, Suite 2094", "addressLocality": "Washington", "addressRegion": "DC", "postalCode": "20002", "addressCountry": "US" }, { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "YSC Complex, 4th floor, A-400, 12 Ajit Singh House, Sri Aurobindo Marg", "addressLocality": "New Delhi", "addressRegion": "Delhi", "postalCode": "110016", "addressCountry": "IN" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Service", "name": "Equity & Stock Option Plans", "serviceType": "Employee Stock Option Plan Design & Drafting", "description": "Attorney-designed Employee Stock Option Plans for startups: master Plan document, grant letters, vesting, exercise mechanics, and board/shareholder approvals.", "provider": { "@type": "LegalService", "name": "Global Trademark Company", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com" }, "offers": { "@type": "Offer", "description": "Flat attorney fee per scope · third-party 409A valuation passed through at cost" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Business Counsel", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/services/commercial-contracts" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Equity & Stock Option Plans", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/services/esop-design" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How big should the ESOP pool be?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Standard is 10 to 15% of fully-diluted equity at seed to Series A. Smaller pools of 5 to 7% are common at pre-seed, and larger pools of 15 to 20% at growth stage. The right number is your commercial call against your hiring plan; we model the dilution before adoption so you are not over-pooled going into the next round." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need a 409A valuation?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If you are a US company granting stock options, generally yes. The IRS expects options to be granted at fair market value, and a 409A valuation is the safe-harbour way to establish that. Granting below FMV can create tax exposure for the company and the grantees. We are not a valuation firm; we coordinate a third-party 409A provider and draft the plan so the strike price is set to the FMV they determine." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "ESOP vs. RSUs vs. SARs, which should I use?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Stock options (ESOPs) are the startup default. Cheaper to grant and exercised by the grantee when they choose. RSUs are common at later stage and pre-IPO. SARs are used when the company cannot or will not grant actual equity. The choice is yours; we lay out the trade-offs on the strategy call and draft whichever instrument fits the plan." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What about Indian ESOPs?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Indian ESOPs are governed by the Companies Act 2013 §62 and, for listed companies, SEBI's SBEB Rules. The main differences from the US: the plan must be approved by shareholders by special resolution, some grantees (such as promoters and certain significant shareholders) are restricted, and perquisite tax generally hits at exercise rather than at sale. We draft Indian plans to Companies Act compliance and coordinate a tax specialist on the perquisite-tax treatment." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does GTC guarantee the plan is enforceable or the tax treatment will hold?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. We draft the master Plan, grant agreements, and adoption resolutions to the applicable 409A or Companies Act requirements and pressure-test them, which is the work that gives the plan the best chance of holding up. Enforceability and tax outcomes are decided by courts and tax authorities, not by us, and the commercial terms are yours. Where the question turns on valuation, securities, or jurisdiction-specific tax, we coordinate a specialist rather than improvising." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you handle a multi-jurisdiction plan?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. We design plans that span jurisdictions, a US and India structure is common, and a UK addendum is frequently added. Each jurisdiction has its own approval and compliance path, so a multi-jurisdiction plan is more involved than a single-country one; the scope and fee are quoted upfront in writing before work begins." } } ], "dateModified": "2026-06-15" } ] --- [](/) - Trademarks - Patents - Copyrights - Data Privacy - Business Legal - [Pricing](/pricing) - Resources Sign inEN · USD Sign in 1. [Home](/) 2. [Business Counsel](/services/commercial-contracts) 3. ESOP Design Equity · Employee Stock Option Plans # An ESOP that attracts talent, and survives a fundraise. An option pool is easy to announce and hard to paper correctly. What protects the company is a master Plan document drafted to your structure, grant agreements that vest and clawback the way you intend, exercise mechanics that work, and board and shareholder approvals on record before the first grant goes out. We design the whole plan to US 409A or Indian Companies Act requirements and model the cap-table dilution before adoption. The commercial terms. Pool size, vesting, who gets what, are yours; we paper them and pressure-test them, and coordinate a tax and valuation specialist where the question turns on 409A or perquisite tax. From $2,500 , a flat attorney fee quoted to your scope, with any third-party 409A valuation passed through at cost. [Design Your ESOP](/forms/catalog/business-counsel/equity-stock-option-plans?ref=b2c) [Excellent Trustpilot ](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/globaltrademark.co) ![A GTC attorney reviewing an ESOP plan document and cap table in a bright modern office](/img/home/hero-library/m-bc-esop-480.jpg) ESOP built Pool & vesting Tax-smart 409A-aware Team aligned Retention locked Legal team GTC's contracts team Commercial counsel Legal team GTC's contracts team Commercial counsel 19,478+ contracts 10,856+ clients 11 attorneys 19,478+ contracts 10,856+ clients 11 attorneys 10+ years IIPLA Top IP Consultancy 2026 [Upwork · Top Rated Plus ](https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/zamanzaidi) Trusted by founders and brands worldwide ![Atlys](/assets/atlys-B5BookJo.webp "Atlys")![Perfora](/assets/perfora-D4_346Y2.webp "Perfora")![Soxco](/assets/soxco-D31kWMAz.webp "Soxco")![BossCare](data:image/webp;base64,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 "BossCare")![Innovist](/assets/innovist-BgYdG_yd.webp "Innovist")![Bacardi](/assets/bacardi-JU27gvk6.webp "Bacardi")![Footcare Lab](/assets/footcarelab-BLfB0WJu.webp "Footcare Lab")![Bare Anatomy](/assets/bare-anatomy-CBhgu9Ro.webp "Bare Anatomy")![Freedom](/assets/freedom-confectionery-HioHiGYc.webp "Freedom") How it works ## Three steps to a working option plan. 1 ### Strategy and cap-table call We review the cap table and settle the commercial decisions: target pool size, 10 to 15% of fully-diluted equity is typical at seed to Series A. Vesting structure, exercise window, and when to bring a 409A valuation into the loop. We model the dilution before anything is adopted so you are not over-pooled at the next round. 2 ### Plan and grant drafting We draft the master Plan document to US 409A or Indian Companies Act 2013 §62 requirements, plus a grant-agreement template with vesting, exercise, and clawback terms. You and your board review the documents before adoption. The Plan governs every future grant, so it gets the scrutiny up front. 3 ### Adoption and first grants We prepare the board and shareholder resolutions that adopt the plan, then customise and deliver your first grant agreements. Subsequent grants run off the same Plan and are quoted per grantee. The approvals sit on record where a future investor will look for them. What it costs ## A flat fee, quoted up front. Equity & Stock Option Plans starts from $2,500. ESOP design is a flat attorney fee quoted to your scope and confirmed in writing before any work begins, no per-hour billing and no quote after the fact. A single-jurisdiction US plan covers the master Plan document, grant-agreement template, vesting and exercise mechanics, 409A-aligned drafting, cap-table modelling, the adoption resolutions, and your first grants. India and multi-jurisdiction plans are more involved and quoted upfront. Subsequent grants and any third-party 409A valuation are shown separately so nothing is a surprise. What's included - Master Plan document. The governing plan for all future grants - Grant-agreement template with vesting, exercise, and clawback terms - Vesting schedules: four-year with a one-year cliff (standard) or custom - Exercise mechanics defined: cashless, net-share, or cash - US 409A safe-harbour drafting (strike price set to FMV) or Indian Companies Act 2013 §62 / SBEB Rules compliance - Cap-table impact analysis. Pool size, dilution, and post-money fully-diluted ownership - Board and shareholder resolutions for plan adoption - Your first grant agreements customised, with subsequent grants quoted per grantee US ESOP. Plan + first grants (attorney fee) Flat fee, quoted in writing before work begins India ESOP. Plan + first grants (attorney fee) Flat fee, quoted upfront by scope Multi-jurisdiction ESOP (e.g. US + India + UK) Flat fee, quoted upfront by scope Subsequent grants (per grantee) Quoted per grantee 409A valuation (US, third-party) Passed through at cost The attorney fee is a flat quote confirmed in writing before any work begins. Third-party items such as a 409A valuation are passed through at cost and shown before you pay. We do not provide investment, securities, or tax advice and coordinate a specialist where one is needed; enforceability and tax treatment are decided by courts and authorities, not by GTC, and the commercial terms of the plan are yours. Get started ### Design your ESOP Tell us about your company and a GTC attorney will scope your option plan and email a flat-fee quote, no payment, no obligation. No payment required Reply within 1 business day A GTC attorney reviews it & sends a flat-fee quote. 1. 01 Brand details 2. 02 Documents 3. 03 Your details The attorney fee is a flat quote confirmed in writing before any work begins; any third-party 409A valuation is passed through at cost. Brand details 1 Company Name\* Legal name of the company adopting the plan. 2 Company Stage\* Your funding stage usually drives the plan structure — for example seed-stage plans often use a 4-year vest with a 1-year cliff (no shares vest until the employee has stayed a full year). 3 Type of Plan\* ISO = US tax-favoured employee options. NSO = non-qualified (broader, including contractors). RSU = restricted stock units. SAR = stock appreciation rights. Mixed = combination plan. 4 Total Pool Size (% of fully-diluted shares) How big is the option pool? Give a percentage or a share count — e.g. 10% or 2,000,000 shares (round numbers are fine). Fully-diluted means measured against all shares as if every option and convertible were exercised. 5 Desired Vesting Schedule E.g. '4-year vest, 1-year cliff, monthly thereafter' or 'performance-based, milestone vest'. If unsure, leave blank and we will recommend. BackNext Why GTC ## Why an ESOP from counsel holds up in diligence. Legal team GTC's contracts team Commercial counsel Attorney-drafted ### A master Plan built for you The Plan document governs every grant you will ever make, so a generic template is a liability the day an investor reads it. We draft yours to your real pool size, vesting, exercise mechanics, and clawback terms. The document that has to survive diligence, not just paper a number. ### Drafted to the right rulebook US options are drafted for 409A safe-harbour treatment, with the strike price set to fair market value. Indian plans are drafted to Companies Act 2013 §62 and SEBI's SBEB Rules, including the shareholder special resolution and grantee restrictions. We draft to the jurisdiction your company sits in. ### Approvals on the record An option plan is only valid once the board and shareholders adopt it. We prepare the resolutions and sequence the approvals so the plan is properly authorised before the first grant goes out, rather than reconstructed under pressure during a financing. ### Dilution modelled before adoption We model the cap-table impact. Pool size, dilution, and post-money fully-diluted ownership, before the plan is adopted. That keeps the pool sized to your hiring plan and to what the next round expects, instead of a number you regret at the term sheet. Your Customer Success Team ## A dedicated team that owns your matter from start to finish. Every GTC client gets a dedicated Account Manager and a Senior Account Manager who learn your business and stay with you from first email to final filing. They are named people who pick up the phone and already know your matter, so every step moves forward without delay. ### Your Account Manager Your day-to-day point of contact, who coordinates every matter, keeps things moving, and already knows your file. They have your full history, so you start every conversation where the last one left off. ### Your Senior Account Manager Senior oversight on strategy and escalations, stepping in as your needs grow, so every important detail stays on track. A named person, on email or a call, at every step. ![Your dedicated GTC Customer Success Team](/assets/m-onboarding-bright-welcome-C-heDolY.jpg) How we compare ## Weighing how to set up your option pool? Here's what sets GTC apart. What you get GTC Online filing services Doing it yourself Master Plan document drafted by an attorney to your structure and pool size Generic template Generic template Grant agreements with vesting, exercise, and clawback terms tailored to your terms Generic template Generic template Drafted to US 409A safe-harbour or Indian Companies Act §62 / SBEB Rules Cap-table dilution modelled before the plan is adopted Board and shareholder adoption resolutions prepared Tax and 409A valuation specialist coordinated where the question turns on it Hourly / unclear Hourly / unclear Master Plan document drafted by an attorney to your structure and pool size GTC Online filing services Generic template Doing it yourself Generic template Grant agreements with vesting, exercise, and clawback terms tailored to your terms GTC Online filing services Generic template Doing it yourself Generic template Drafted to US 409A safe-harbour or Indian Companies Act §62 / SBEB Rules GTC Online filing services Doing it yourself Cap-table dilution modelled before the plan is adopted GTC Online filing services Doing it yourself Board and shareholder adoption resolutions prepared GTC Online filing services Doing it yourself Tax and 409A valuation specialist coordinated where the question turns on it GTC Online filing services Hourly / unclear Doing it yourself Hourly / unclear The timeline ## From cap-table call to first grants. An ESOP takes a few weeks to stand up properly. Most of that time is getting the pool size, jurisdiction compliance, and approvals right before adoption. The drafting itself is the fast part. 1. Day 0 ### Strategy and cap-table call We review the cap table and settle pool size, 10 to 15% is typical at seed to Series A. Vesting structure, exercise window, and when to bring a 409A valuation into the loop. 2. 1–2 weeks ### Plan drafted The master Plan document is drafted to US 409A or Indian Companies Act requirements, with cap-table dilution modelled before adoption and the grant-agreement template prepared. 3. Board / shareholder vote ### Adoption Board and shareholder resolutions are adopted. The plan becomes the governing document for every future grant, with the approvals on record. 4. After adoption ### First grants issued Your first grant agreements are customised and delivered. Subsequent grants run off the same Plan and are quoted per grantee. In their words ## All your legal, in one place. One accountable team across every practice, operating since 2016. [Excellent Trustpilot ](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/globaltrademark.co) 19,478+ Contracts drafted 10,856+ Clients served 11 In-house attorneys 10+ Years since 2016 Equity & Stock Option Plans FAQ ## Frequently asked questions How big should the ESOP pool be? Standard is 10 to 15% of fully-diluted equity at seed to Series A. Smaller pools of 5 to 7% are common at pre-seed, and larger pools of 15 to 20% at growth stage. The right number is your commercial call against your hiring plan; we model the dilution before adoption so you are not over-pooled going into the next round. Do I need a 409A valuation? ESOP vs. RSUs vs. SARs, which should I use? What about Indian ESOPs? Does GTC guarantee the plan is enforceable or the tax treatment will hold? Can you handle a multi-jurisdiction plan? [Design Your ESOP](/forms/catalog/business-counsel/equity-stock-option-plans?ref=b2c) Related contracts services ## The documents around your option pool. An ESOP sits inside a wider equity and governance stack. These are the pieces that make the grants operate and the approvals hold. [ ### Employment contracts Grant agreements lean on the employment contract's IP-assignment and confidentiality terms. The two should be drafted to match. See employment contracts ](/services/employment-contract)[ ### Board & governance advisory The board and shareholder resolutions that adopt the plan, plus the governance to keep future grants properly authorised. See governance advisory ](/services/board-governance-advisory)[ ### Commercial contracts Weighing the full set of agreements your company needs? Start with the commercial-contracts overview. See all contracts ](/services/commercial-contracts) Design the ESOP properly. ## Ready when you are. A free consultation. We'll review the cap table, settle the pool size and vesting with you, scope the plan, and confirm a flat attorney fee in writing, with any third-party 409A valuation passed through at cost, before any drafting begins. 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