Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs) are one of the most effective tools for attracting talent, retaining key employees, and aligning your team with the long-term growth of your company. Whether you are an early-stage startup or a growing business preparing for fundraising, a well-structured ESOP helps you stay competitive while managing dilution and compliance.

At Your Legal Assistant, we help companies design, draft, and organise complete ESOP documentation. Our offshore team ensures that your ESOP is compliant, structured correctly, and easy for both management and employees to understand.

How We Help You With ESOP Plans

1. Understanding Your ESOP Goals: We begin by understanding your compensation strategy, hiring needs, fundraising plans, and the dilution percentage you’re comfortable with. This lets us design a plan that matches your business stage and long-term strategy.
2. Designing the ESOP Structure: We help you finalise all key elements of your ESOP, including pool size, vesting schedule, cliff periods, exercise price, eligibility criteria, and rules on exit, termination, and buyback. Every detail is designed to balance employee incentives with legal compliance.
3. Preparing Complete ESOP Documentation: We prepare the entire ESOP documentation set, including the ESOP Policy/Scheme, board and shareholder resolutions, grant letters, exercise letters, vesting and exercise terms, employee guidelines, and cap table updates. Everything is drafted in a clear, professional format that’s ready for internal approval.
4. Compliance With Indian Law: Your ESOP is drafted to align with the Companies Act, 2013, Rule 12 of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, DPIIT startup guidelines, and applicable FEMA rules for NRI/foreign employees. We also prepare reporting formats used by authorised professionals for filings and approvals.
5. Delivery of a Filing-Ready ESOP Pack: You receive a complete ESOP pack that’s ready for board approval, shareholder approval, filing through your authorised representative, and employee communication. Everything is organised and easy to implement so the rollout is smooth and compliant.

Types of ESOP Support We Provide

• ESOP Scheme Drafting
• Cap Table Review and ESOP Pool Planning
• Grant Letters and Vesting Documentation
• Employee Communication Notes
• Board & Shareholder Resolutions
• FEMA Compliance Documentation (for NRI employees)
• ESOP Amendments & Restatements
• Pre-Fundraise ESOP Restructuring
• ESOP Buyback & Exit Planning Support

Why Choose Your Legal Assistant

1. Specialised ESOP Drafting Expertise: We understand how ESOPs affect ownership, dilution, and investor expectations.
2. Compliance-Focused Support: All documents are drafted in line with the Companies Act, ESOP Rules, and FEMA guidelines.
3. Clear and Practical Documentation: Employees and management receive documents that are easy to understand and implement.
4. Cost-Effective Offshore Assistance: Get complete ESOP drafting support without the cost of a full-time legal or HR team.
5. Secure & Confidential: We ensure strict confidentiality for your company’s internal data, cap table, and strategic details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does your ESOP service include?

We prepare the ESOP Policy/Scheme, resolutions, grant letters, vesting terms, cap table updates, and compliance documentation needed for rollout.

2. Do you handle board and shareholder documents?

Yes. We prepare all resolutions and explanatory notes required for approvals.

3. Can you help with ESOPs for NRI or foreign employees?

Yes. We assist with FEMA-related documentation and reporting formats.

4. How long does the ESOP drafting process take?

Most ESOP projects are completed within 3–7 business days depending on complexity.

Build a motivated and loyal team with a well-structured ESOP.

Let Your Legal Assistant prepare everything you need for a compliant and easy rollout.