Founder & Principal Attorney, Leemhuis Legal, PLLC
Most growing companies don't need a full-time lawyer. They need an experienced one who knows their business, picks up the phone, and helps them see problems before they become expensive.
That's the role I play for founders, CEOs and boards. I'm a business attorney with over 30 years of experience, and I founded Leemhuis Legal, PLLC to serve as outside general counsel to growing and mission-driven companies.
WHAT I DO
I counsel companies through the full business life cycle:
• Choosing and forming the right entity, and building governance that works
• Raising capital from angels, venture investors and lenders, with securities compliance
• Buying, selling and merging businesses
• Drafting and negotiating the contracts that run the business
• Planning for succession and exit
FRACTIONAL COUNSEL
Companies can also work with me on a monthly retainer, which makes me part of their team rather than a lawyer they call only in a crisis. That means regular check-ins, help preparing for board and shareholder meetings, annual governance reviews and contract support, for a predictable monthly fee and without the cost of an in-house lawyer.
PURPOSE-DRIVEN BUSINESS
I believe business can be a powerful force for good. I help founders build purpose into their legal structure, through public benefit corporations, B Corp certification and stakeholder-focused governance, and I can serve as a benefit director. Leemhuis Legal is itself organized as a benefit company, and I was recognized in Who's Who in Impact Investing.
BACKGROUND
Before founding the firm, I spent 27 years as a partner at the Quinn Law Firm in Erie, where I chaired the business law group. I've represented everyone from single-owner start-ups to public companies with international sales, helped bring an angel investment network to Erie, and formed and led several nonprofit organizations. I'm licensed in Colorado and Pennsylvania.
