General Counsel Service
In this role, Lancaster | Helling serves as an outsourced general legal counsel, operating as a member of the business’s management team—rendering strategic advice, servicing the day-to-day legal needs and managing those extraordinary legal affairs that justify the use of outside legal experts (e.g., public offerings, patent applications, tax advice, etc.).
Depending on the needs and preferences of each particular client, we are available for “office hours” at the client’s office or we may simply conduct business by phone and e-mail. Based on the scope of engagement the client needs, our services may include:
- drafting and review of contracts (including licensing agreements)
- employment and labor advice and counseling
- management of intellectual property portfolio
- advice and counseling on strategic partnerships and alliances
- risk analysis and avoidance strategies
- internal investigations
- analysis of director and officer liability exposure and implementation of protection strategies
- advice and counseling regarding corporate structure and debt and equity financings
- implementation of controls relating to compliance with federal, state and local laws
- mergers and acquisitions
- drafting of privacy policies, terms of use and other agreements relating to internet operations
- dispute and problem resolution
- matters of corporate governance, including maintenance of minute books, preparation of resolutions, annual meetings, stock ledgers, shareholder agreements and attendance at board meetings
- real estate matters, including leases and buying and selling of property
- equipment leases and contracts
- general, day-to-day legal advice
Corporate & Transactional Legal Services
At Lancaster | Helling, we know there are times when it is more cost-effective for a client to hire a lawyer for a single project, rather than on an ongoing basis. In these circumstances, our attorneys are available on a project basis under either an hourly or a fixed-fee rate—depending on the circumstances. Typical services in this regard might be:
- entity selection and formation
- shareholder agreement, investors’ rights agreement, etc.
- executive and non-executive employment agreements
- customer and vendor agreements
- real estate lease review
- technology and licensing agreements
- transactional work
- mergers, acquisitions and capitalization matters
Overflow Work
At Lancaster | Helling, our varied experience also allows us to handle overflow work—including contract negotiations—for in-house legal departments in a timely and cost-effective manner. Utilizing this service enables an existing legal department to better manage peak demands without adding to its headcount or paying the high fees of traditional firms.
Short-term Assignments
Due to unique situations such as maternity leave, extended leave of absence, corporate sabbatical, etc., it isn’t unusual for companies to have a General Counsel leave for an extended period of time, with plans to return. In these scenarios, Lancaster | Helling can quickly and easily step in and fill the gap, saving companies the time, expense and hassle of making a temporary hire.
Litigation
The firm defends and prosecutes a variety of commercial litigation matters.
Real Estate
Lancaster | Helling can also assist clients in a broad range of commercial and residential real estate transactions. These include acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, formation of ownership entities, lending, and other financing in office, industrial, retail, apartment, and raw land transactions.
Use of The Lancaster | Helling Outside Attorney Network
In addition to meeting the day-to-day legal needs of General Counsel clients, Lancaster | Helling coordinates and manages outside counsel with regard to specialized legal needs—such as tax matters, patent filings and public securities offerings, to name a few. Depending on the client’s preference, we manage these types of events by using their existing outside attorneys or by utilizing our vast, preferred network of outside attorneys. These attorneys are experts in their fields and provide our clients—in conjunction with our management—excellent service at competitive rates.