The reasons why a business may not have an in-house lawyer vary: a newly established startup, business growth outpacing legal department hiring, or the sudden departure of an in-house counsel.

None of these should be a reason to operate without legal support—the risks of working “in the dark” simply aren’t worth it.

Over more than a quarter-century of supporting companies of various sizes and industries, we’ve developed an understanding that providing day-to-day legal support as a substitute for an in-house lawyer is a unique service—and we know how to deliver it.

OUR CLIENTS:

• A leading manufacturer of heavy industrial machinery for construction and mining:
• Regularly covering for the sole in-house lawyer during annual leave periods, fully performing the functions of a legal department, reviewing contracts with counterparties within tight deadlines set by internal regulations, seamless integration into the client’s management system and document workflow
• Owner and operator of an esports team: Since the inception of this business, AT has acted as the in-house legal counsel, supporting the establishment of business units in each jurisdiction of operation (Cyprus, UAE, UK, Russia), providing legal support for day-to-day operations—including player and coach agreements, team promotion, sponsorship deals, tournament participation, and the development, production, and sale of team-branded merchandise
• A non-profit organization aimed at supporting fundamental scientific research in one of the exact sciences, as well as assisting students and graduate students specializing in this field—including through scholarships and specialized advanced courses at leading universities in the country. Since the organization’s establishment, AT has served as its legal department, ensuring compliance with applicable laws (including those governing non-profit status and educational activities), drafting internal policies and regulations, supporting corporate governance and decision-making by collegial bodies, reviewing contracts, and providing legal consultations on day-to-day matters—with a guaranteed response time of no more than 24 hours for each inquiry

LEVEL 1

IN-HOUSE LAWYER

(OUTSOURCE LEGAL SERVICES):

If your company lacks an in-house legal department (or has only one legal specialist handling core business matters), we offer the following key services:

• drafting, reviewing, and negotiating all commercial contracts, including agreements with foreign counterparties
• examination and approval of other legal documents: claims, responses to government inquiries, bank requests, etc.
• oral and written legal consultations for all departments on fundamental legal matters
• temporary replacement of your in-house counsel during vacations,
• medical leaves, maternity leave, or other absences
• legal analysis of regulatory requirements when planning new business ventures, with oral/written consultations
• preliminary assessment and guidance on necessary actions regarding litigation threats

LEVEL 2

TRUSTED ADVISOR:

Your company has an in-house legal department that primarily handles legal support for core business operations. However, management and company owners are interested in a qualified legal partner with diverse expertise who can oversee other critical matters to proactively protect the interests of the business and shareholders. For such companies, we offer the following key services:

• Independent review of key commercial contracts, including those with foreign counterparties, to identify major business risks and provide recommendations for mitigation
• Identification and mitigation of shareholders’ personal risks and assessment of their impact on the business: addressing risks of future disputes among shareholders’ heirs, conflicts over asset division with shareholders’ former spouses, risks related to shareholders (or their family members) holding foreign citizenship (residency permits) and minimizing their impact on the business
• Advisory services for business owners on personal holding structures, ensuring effective current control as well as smooth business succession to heirs or sale to management
• Development and administration of long-term incentive programs for management to retain top-performing and talented executives
• Representation of business interests in negotiations with foreign counterparties, alignment of key terms (term sheets) for new business ventures requiring
• Specialized expertise and cross-border transaction experience preliminary assessment and advisory on necessary actions in case of international legal claims against the business or the need to defend the business in foreign courts
• Selection and recommendations of foreign contractors for specialized services (appraisers, lawyers, accountants, auditors, trust managers, banks, etc.)
• Other services tailored to the specifics of the business

LEVEL 3

INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE COUNSEL:

Your company operates across multiple countries, has diversified business lines, and plans to raise debt financing, onboard new shareholders, acquire businesses, engage in M&A transactions, enter new markets, and establish relationships with international partners. Shareholders and management require a qualified legal partner with expertise across specialized areas and high-level professional competencies. For such companies, we offer the following services:

• Participation in negotiations with banks, funds, financial institutions, etc., to discuss and draft key terms (term sheets) for securing debt financing, admitting new equity partners, issuing new shares, etc
• Preparation of necessary agreements for capital-raising transactions, including share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, option agreements, convertible loan agreements, pledge agreements, guarantees, etc
• Assessment of key legal and tax requirements in foreign jurisdictions where the company
• Plans to operate
• Strategic protection of business and shareholder interests for market expansion: designing corporate and personal holding structures, tax planning, and risk assessment
• Protection and management of personal legal and reputational risks for shareholders and top executives in critical business decisions: signing loan agreements, providing personal guarantees, entering into agreements with new partners
• Legal support for international operations: drafting key commercial contracts with counterparties, liaising with accountants and auditors, advising on core business activities
• Design and maintenance of “phantom” equity incentive programs to retain top-performing executives
• Other services tailored to business needs