Hugh Helm has been practicing law since 1977. His broad experience enables him to offer counselling and representation in a variety of legal areas. The general focus of his practice is employment, business, commercial, construction, and real estate transactions and litigation. His service since 1989 as a settlement conference panelist, arbitrator, and Pro Tem judge for the Sonoma County Superior Courts has developed his ability to skillfully mediate or arbitrate disputes. His fifteen years as Professor of Law at Empire College School of Law, teaching Professional Responsibility, permits him to counsel other attorneys regarding their professional ethical obligations, and he has been retained as an expert on the subject. If you have further questions after reviewing this page, please contact us for more information.
He represents employers and employees in employment matters, if their interests do not conflict. This experience equips him to provide sound advice as well as zealous representation, so matters are resolved on the best possible terms for his clients. These matters include:
- overtime, minimum wage, and unpaid wage claims
- Labor Commission audits and investigations
- wrongful termination
- independant contractors
- rest and meal period violations
- sexual harassment
- discrimination based on sex, age, sexual orientation, etc.
- exempt vs. nonexempt employees
- employment contracts - executive, commission-based, etc.
- employee handbooks
- "serious and willful" claims by injured workers
He provides document preparation and dispute resolution assistance with:
- business startups
- formation of corporations partnerships, LLC's, LP's
- buy-sell, partnership, and operating agreements
- purchase and sale of businesses
- mergers and acquisitions
- commercial leases
- commercial contracts
- trade secrets
- confidentiality agreements
- noncompetition agreements
He has represented developers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and homeowners. He provides document preparation and dispute resolution assistance with:
- construction contracts and subcontracts
- mechanics liens
- construction defects
- breach of contract claims
- collection matters
- home improvement contracts
- bond claims
- State Contractors License Board matters
He assists buyers, sellers, lessors, commercial lessees, and realtors in commercial and residential real estate matters, including document preparation and dispute resolution assistance with:
- commercial real estate sales and leasing
- failure to disclose and fraud claims
- boundary disputes
- easement and right of way
- options
- co-tenancy agreements
- partition actions
For matters outside his areas of practice, Hugh Helm will gladly use his familiarity with the legal community to refer prospective and current clients to another attorney or law firm he is comfortable recommending and that matches their needs.
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