In what appears to be an uncommon arrangement between a law firm and a venture capital firm, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo has entered into an agreement with Antler Innovations to be its “preferred partner” for its portfolio companies in the U.S. seeking legal advice.

The written agreement does not compel Antler portfolio companies to work with Mintz, but it means that Antler is pointing the founders of these companies to Mintz to meet with the firm, get guidance and then decide whether they would like to work with the law firm moving forward, said Mintz and Antler leaders, who declined to detail any financial arrangements.