General Counsel Services for Texas Businesses

Ongoing Legal Counsel From a Law Firm That Knows Your Business

Few businesses can afford a full-time general counsel, but that doesn’t mean your business should go without. Let us fill that role for you, as needed, through every stage of your business’ evolution.

Our experienced attorneys can provide vital support for nearly every aspect of your business – from the earliest stages of business formation to contract negotiations and compliance. We can also help you spot potential liabilities and exposures that could lead to disputes or litigation if not properly addressed.

Why Retain an Outside General Counsel?

Outside general counsel can review business decisions and advise on potential risks or consequences before they become problems. A well-run business with the proper legal foundation means you are less likely to encounter litigation. If you are faced with a dispute or litigation, however, clear and enforceable agreements and sound record-keeping will help ensure a speedier, more favorable outcome.

Hendershot Cowart P.C. has been advising business owners, executives, and shareholders since 1987. Our general counsel clients know that they can call us for immediate counsel on any business legal matter.

By forming an ongoing relationship, we get to know your business operations and your industry. We do not waste time “getting up to speed”; instead, we have in-depth understanding of your organization and insight that can be readily applied to your legal situation.

Legal matters rarely fall into one discipline or another. Our clients also benefit from having a team of attorneys available to advise on a range of issues – from transactional matters and contract reviews to breach of contract claims or partnership disputes.

The Types of General Counsel Services We Offer

General counsel services encompass a wide range of legal matters that affect businesses of all sizes – from small businesses and closely held entities to large, publicly traded corporations. No matter the size of your business, whether you have one employee or hundreds, general counsel services can be integral to both maintaining and growing your business.

Common legal matters our attorneys routinely handle include:

• Arbitration or mediation
• Asset or equity purchases
• Breach of contract
• Business disputes and litigation
• Business formation and structuring entities
• Compliance assessments, including OSHA or other regulatory compliance
• Contract drafting, negotiation, and reviews
• Corporate governance
• Corporate restructuring
• Creditor’s rights
• Employment agreements
• Enforcement of non-compete agreements and restrictive covenants
• Farmout and farm-in agreements
• IP and trade secret protection and defense
• Licensing and permitting
• Management services agreements
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Operating agreements
• Risk analysis and mitigation
• Shareholder agreements

What Types of Businesses Benefit From Outside General Counsel Services?

Any business that cannot accommodate an in-house legal team will benefit from having a relationship with outside general counsel. Working with outside general counsel ensures that your business has access to a knowledgeable attorney who can step in as needed to address emerging issues.

Most small to mid-sized businesses can benefit from partnering with outside general counsel, including:

• Closely held businesses
• Small businesses
• Corporations
• Family businesses
• Entrepreneurs
• Partnerships
• Startups

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of working with an outside general counsel.

The Resources You Need When You Need Them

Many entrepreneurs and even mid-sized businesses cannot justify the cost of a full-time, in-house general counsel. Consequently, they may feel that they lack the legal resources they need for their business to truly thrive, or they may worry about their exposure to potential risks.

Working with an outside general counsel from a well-established law firm means that your business can take advantage of the specific services you need when you need them, all while remaining cognizant of your bottom line. This can be particularly beneficial for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the early stages of their business formation.

Personalized General Counsel Services for Your Business

One of the greatest benefits of partnering with outside general counsel is the long-term relationship you build with your attorney. Not only does an experienced general counsel bring you a wealth of knowledge and insight, but they also get to know the ins and outs of your specific business. This relationship is integral to taking your company through every stage of its evolution.

Instead of providing generic advice, a skilled attorney experienced in providing general counsel services will be able to personalize their guidance to fit your business's specific needs. Developing this deeper relationship with your general counsel can save you time and money, and help your business grow more efficiently.

Another important role of a general counsel is risk management. Hendershot Cowart P.C. has been litigating business disputes for more than 30 years. As a result, we can advise business owners and executives against risks and exposures they may not have considered. Don’t wait until a problem emerges and hope for the best. Instead, work with outside general counsel to identify and assess potential risks before they emerge.

General counsel services are not isolated to proactive legal matters. A skilled business attorney can also protect and defend your interests in the event of litigation or disputes. Your general counsel will have intimate knowledge of your written agreements and business practices and will be ready to aggressively defend your interests – in and out of the courtroom.

How Hendershot Cowart P.C. General Counsel Services Can Help Your Business

The role of general counsel within a company is a dynamic one that requires flexibility and responsiveness to the company's ever-changing needs. With 100+ years of combined experience in business law, our law firm is known for its adaptive approach to business law. We are always prepared to tailor our services to meet our clients' exact needs as their businesses grow and evolve. At Hendershot Cowart P.C., we have the capacity to respond to the needs of your business without hesitation.

To learn more about our general counsel services and how we can help your business, call our law firm at (713) 783-3110 or schedule a consultation online.