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Comment by mattmaroon | Hacker News Reader

I know you mean well, but this could not possibly be good advice because there isn’t enough information in that post for even a lawyer to give good advice. You don’t know what’s In his contract. Maybe his cofounder can’t fire him. Maybe He could but that would trigger the vesting. Maybe he could put it to the board and fire his cofounder.

Maybe his cofounders threat that it’s 3% or nothing is bluffing. It doesn’t really make sense for his cofounder, because that guy maybe is in the same situation if OPs contract is favorable. Maybe It’s 40% or nothing for him.

The only acceptable advice here is to go talk to a lawyer. That’s it. Internet advice about things like this is always bad even when it is meant well

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I agree we don't know the whole story. But this is the version of the story that puts the OP in the best light, and still, my overall impression is it just seems like it's not worth it.

What's the best case scenario they could get out of it? Maybe 6% equity, or maybe a $10k severance. But going after a company with no revenue and only $40k in the bank doesn't really seem like the best use of anyone's time, energy or money.

There's minimal available short-term value, and litigation/fighting will sharply blunt any potential long-term value.

Well, one possible case scenario is that OP’s contract does not allow his cofounder to fire him, or fully vests if he does. He can this tell his cofounder to pound sand and his cofounder will have to realize that his options are 40% or 0%. If he believes the company has a bright future, he’ll take the deal. There’s a very real chance OP gets much more than 3% or 6%.

Or there’s something better that I can’t think of because I’m not a lawyer who deals in this and don’t know the specifics.

It’s just bad to give really any advice here, which is part OP’s fault really because he should not be asking a lawyer rather than Internet randos.

>Internet advice about things like this is always bad even when it is meant well

Even if it's telling you to get a lawyer?

It's difficult to account for every possible case while still remaining brief.

Seeking expert knowledge is good advice in most situations. If you have the time, and the issue is potentially costly or valuable to you, then you should almost always gather the best information before deciding.

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