Lawyer for CEOs

As a CEO, You Have a Lot to Protect. Oberheiden P.C.’s Senior Lawyers Are Here to Help.

Attorney Nick Oberheiden
Business Litigation
CEO Lawyer Team Lead

Chief executive officers (CEOs) have a lot on their plate. Not only must they devote the time and energy required to run their companies successfully, but they must simultaneously take the necessary steps to protect their personal interests as well. While CEO’s corporate and personal interests will often align, this is not always the case. In many cases, the lines can get blurry, and CEOs will need to carefully make strategic decisions based on the advice of experienced legal counsel.

We represent CEOs throughout the United States and across the globe. With a nationwide network of senior lawyers, we are available to provide remote and onsite representation to CEOs from coast to coast. With significant international law experience, we advise foreign CEOs with interests in the U.S. as well, handling matters from asset protection and OFAC compliance to civil and criminal defense.

Why Choose the Lawyers at Oberheiden P.C.?

As a CEO, you need to make informed decisions every step of the way. This is true in business and in life. So, why should you choose the lawyers at Oberheiden P.C. to advise you? At Oberheiden P.C., we offer:

A Nationwide Network of Senior Attorneys – Every lawyer at Oberheiden P.C. has senior-level experience. Our headquarters are in Dallas, Texas, we have satellite offices in major cities across the country, and our nationwide network includes highly-experienced lawyers from Los Angeles to New York City.
In-House Consultants with High-Level Federal Law Enforcement Experience – Along with our senior-level lawyers for CEOs, our team also includes in-house consultants with high-level federal law enforcement experience. This includes former Special Agents, Supervisory Special Agents, and Special Agents-in-Charge with the DOJ, FBI, IRS, and numerous other federal agencies.
Around-the-Clock Accessibility for Our CEO Clients – For our CEO clients, we make ourselves available around the clock. If you have a question or need legal representation on an emergency basis, you can expect to speak with a senior lawyer at Oberheiden P.C. promptly.
Strategic and Custom-Tailored Legal Advice – For all of our clients, we offer strategic and custom-tailored legal advice. We do not offer “programs” or “packages.” We advise each and every client with that specific client’s risks, needs, and financial interests in mind.
A Long Track Record of Successful Representation – Above all, we have a long track record of successful representation. This includes helping CEOs avoid federal scrutiny, favorably resolving federal investigations, and securing dismissals and acquittals prior to and during trial.

Our Legal Services for CEOs in the U.S. and Abroad

We provide a comprehensive suite of legal services for CEOs in the U.S. and abroad. Whether you need help with a discrete issue or are looking for counsel to advise you on an ongoing basis, our senior lawyers are available to provide advice and representation in the areas of:

Corporate Governance Compliance

CEOs need to ensure that they comply with their companies’ corporate governance rules, and they need to ensure that their companies’ shareholders and other executives comply with these rules as well. We advise CEOs on all aspects of corporate governance compliance, and we help CEOs enforce compliance as necessary.

Business Litigation

CEOs can find themselves facing business litigation for a variety of reasons. We defend CEOs in contract and tort litigation involving allegations ranging from violation of non-disclosure agreements to tortious interference with business opportunities. When warranted, we also pursue claims in litigation on behalf of CEOs as well.

Employment Negotiations, Severance, and Litigation

Our lawyers for CEOs negotiate employment agreements, compensation structures, severance agreements, and other employment-related contracts. We also provide representation for employment-related litigation, including (but not limited to) litigation focused on enforcing CEOs’ rights to stock options and severance pay.

Insider Trading and Securities Fraud

Insider trading is an omnipresent risk for CEOs. Public company executives must be extremely careful to avoid unlawfully trading in their companies’ shares while they have access to material non-public information (MNPI). From withholding information about business risks to misrepresenting financial performance, companies and their CEOs can face a variety of other securities fraud allegations as well. At Oberheiden P.C., we have significant experience representing companies and their executives in this area.

Federal Subpoenas

If you receive a subpoena from the DOJ, SEC, or any other federal agency, you must begin your response efforts immediately. While CEOs must be extremely careful when choosing what to disclose, they must also avoid mistakes that could lead to a finding of contempt. Our lawyers for CEOs regularly advise clients regarding federal subpoenas, and we can work with the investigating agency directly on your behalf.

White Collar Criminal Defense

We defend CEOs facing allegations of all types of federal white collar crimes. Along with insider trading, this includes embezzlement, money laundering, conspiracy, financial fraud, and a long list of other offenses. While federal criminal allegations can present substantial risks (including the risk of federal imprisonment), we have had significant success resolving clients’ white collar cases without penalties or publicity.

Tax Audits and Investigations

As a CEO, you are a prime target for the IRS. The IRS and its Criminal Investigation division (IRS CI) routinely conduct audits and investigations targeting CEOs’ income, deductions, exemptions, and offshore holdings. We have significant experience in these audits and investigations as well; and, along with former federal prosecutors, our team includes a former IRS Tax Attorney and former Special Agents with IRS CI.

Asset Protection

Given the risks CEOs face on a daily basis, strategic asset protection is vital. We work closely with our CEO clients to help them protect their assets through a variety of different means, from establishing limited liability entities and trusts to storing assets overseas. We also advise our CEO clients regarding steps they can take in their daily business and professional lives to mitigate their risk of facing litigation in their individual capacities.

Individual and Corporate Risk Management

Ultimately, as a CEO, the key to protecting your career and finances is to take a strategic and comprehensive approach to risk management. We make ourselves available to our CEO clients to help them answer difficult questions such as:

What is (and isn’t) safe to post on social media?
Should your company hire a desirable candidate with an unfavorable past?
What is the best strategy for minimizing your (or your company’s) tax liability?
How can (and should) you protect assets offshore?
Is a non-competition or non-solicitation covenant enforceable (and, if so, how should you strategically address its limitations)?

FAQs: Legal Risk Management and Asset Protection for CEOs

What Are Some of the Biggest Liability Risks CEOs Face On the Job?

CEOs face a variety of liability risks on the job. Even though CEOs are agents of their companies, CEOs can still face personal liability for their decisions in various circumstances. For example, if a CEO leads his or her company down a path that results in substantial investor losses, investors may seek to hold the CEO personally liable. CEOs can face personal liability for decisions deemed to fall outside of the realm of their corporate responsibility and authority as well.

What Are Some of the Biggest Liability Risks CEOs Face In Their Personal Lives?

Like all individuals, CEOs can face a variety of risks in their personal lives as well. From car accidents to premises liability claims, CEOs should ensure that they have adequate insurance to shield their personal holdings, and they should engage their own legal counsel when dealing with claims for liability.

What Compensation and Benefits Should You Receive as a CEO?

While there are certain standards within various industries, the compensation you should receive as a CEO is largely based on your personal capabilities and experience. Certainly, you should not be under-compensated; and, if you are considering a new executive position, you will want to work with an experienced lawyer who can negotiate for a favorable compensation package on your behalf.

As a CEO, What Factors Should You Consider Before Joining (or Starting) a New Company?

If you are a CEO and you are thinking about joining or starting a new company, there are several factors you will need to consider. Are you subject to any confidentiality or competitive restrictions that limit what you can do? What risks does the new venture present, and how can you manage these risks effectively? These are just two of numerous questions that will require the advice and insights of experienced counsel.

Can CEOs Seek Legal Advice from Their Companies’ Corporate Counsel?

Generally, in-house corporate lawyers get paid to represent the corporation itself; and, as a result, they cannot represent the company’s executives in most circumstances. If your interests are adverse (or potentially adverse) to the company’s, then the company’s lawyers certainly cannot represent you. In any case, to ensure that you receive personalized legal advice and avoid any implications of impropriety, it is best to engage your own legal counsel independently.

Speak with a Senior Lawyer for CEOs At Oberheiden P.C.

If you are a CEO and you need a lawyer in the U.S., we encourage you to contact us for more information. To discuss your needs with a senior lawyer for CEOs at Oberheiden P.C. in confidence, please call 888-680-1745 or tell us how we can reach you online today.