$4.$In $2021,$ a young entrepreneur, Sarah Thompson, decided to launch a tech startup called Breath. The company$$s mission was to develop and market renewable energy solutions for small and medium$-$sized businesses $($SMBs$),$ helping them reduce their carbon footprint and lower energy costs. Sarah had a background in environmental science and renewable energy, but she was relatively new to the business world.

Before officially starting the company, Sarah consulted with a few experts, including a lawyer and an accountant, to understand the legal considerations involved in founding her business. She realized that the legal framework surrounding her startup was crucial to its success, especially in an industry with strict environmental regulations.

Sarah decided to form her company as a Limited Liability Company $($LLC$)$ to limit her personal liability. After consulting with a lawyer, she signed a lease agreement for office space, filed for business licenses, and registered the company name, Breath. She also drafted a shareholder agreement with her business partner, Mark, who would help her manage the day$-$to$-$day operations.

In the first year of operation, Sarah and Mark faced several legal challenges, including issues with intellectual property, employee contracts, and regulatory compliance in the renewable energy industry. These challenges required Sarah to work closely with her legal team to ensure that Breath was fully compliant with laws and regulations.

Questions

$1.$What are the key legal steps Sarah would have to take to protect her company$$s innovations?

$2.$Given that Breath operates in the renewable energy industry, what specific regulatory considerations did Sarah need to address in order to comply with local, state, and federal laws?

$3.$What are the key legal considerations Sarah should address when drafting contracts with vendors and clients for her business?