In his second column featured in Entrepreneur's "Ask the Expert" section—Partner Peter Buckland shares his insight with start-ups into how to approach equity option pools. "Ask the Expert" is a regular column that seeks to answer questions about everything from starting a business to growing one. This is the second in a series of three columns in which he discusses legal topics on the minds of start-ups. In his first article, Buckland discusses how a start-up can find its perfect board of directors. Both articles "Figuring Out How to Divvy Up Startup Equity" and "Finding the Perfect Board of Directors for Your Startup" can be found on Entrepreneur.com.

Buckland is the vice chair of WilmerHale's Corporate Practice and the co-chair of the firm's Emerging Company Practice Group. He is based in the firm's Palo Alto office and focuses his practice on the representation of companies, from start-ups to established corporations, with particular emphasis on software, Internet and digital media, devices, energy and clean technologies. Since joining the firm in 2005, Buckland has counseled numerous entrepreneurs and emerging companies throughout their lifecycle and has advised on complex corporate transactions, including venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings and buyouts.