Effective, Affordable Counsel

Every successful entrepreneur who launches a small or medium sized business has a common trait: unparalleled grit and the tenacity to do whatever it takes to win.

However, most entrepreneurs are also strapped for cash and can ill afford to make a decision that triggers liability. Many business owners know what and where are the risks, but often don't know how to best cover their bases.

Having immediate and regular access to counsel before a decision is made, before a policy is implemented, before an employee is hired, before an employee is disciplined or dismissed, or before a deal is signed, could be the difference between making or breaking a business.

As a business owner with broad experience as general counsel for different companies in distinct industries, Mark V. Asdourian and his team of seasoned professionals can make that difference. NHLG has the legal, financial, and practical expertise to meet the in-house general counsel needs for almost any business. We can help you mitigate the risks associated with your business operations at a cost far below big law or the overhead incurred for an in-house general counsel. Our firm lets you focus on realizing your dreams while we handle risk and make sure you are protected.

NHLG can assist in your business in drafting contracts, including purchase and sale agreements, lease agreements, employment agreements, manuals and guides, confidentiality agreements and non-compete agreements. We can also design and help you implement risk mitigation practices. We will be at your side when you negotiate transactions so that you maximize the benefits that may be realized and avoid potential litigation. And if and when litigation is unavoidable, our seasoned business litigators will represent you in Court.

For example, our firm has provided general counsel services for the following companies:

General Counsel of WMC Mortgage, LLC, a GE Capital subsidiary

For over seven years, Mark served as Chairman of the Board, CEO and General Counsel for WMC Mortgage, LLC, a subsidiary of GE Capital US Holdings Inc. Mark managed billions of dollars of repurchase litigation that was filed across the country against WMC and GE Capital in the wake of the Great Recession. He was also responsible for responding to a broad FIRREA investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice in addition to broad legacy issues associated with WMC's discontinued mortgage loan origination operations. As President and CEO, Mark formulated and signed off on reserves, was responsible to internal corporate reporting, overseeing finance, and managing HR related policies, practices and issues.

General Counsel of Universal Guardian Holdings, Inc.

Mark served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Universal Guardian Holdings, Inc., a small cap, publicly traded company which provided security products, systems and services to mitigate terrorist, criminal and security threats to governments and businesses across the globe through the company's several operating subsidiaries. With Mark's counsel and guidance, the company manufactured and marketing the Cobra StunLight, a product designed to assist law enforcement and provide self-defense for individuals. Mark navigated through the application of international trade laws involving multiple jurisdictions including Switzerland and Saudi Arabia. He also negotiated and drafted agreements governing the company's supply chain and marketing of its products through an infomercial. Mark also managed the company's intellectual property including its patents and trademarks.

General Counsel of Shopping.com

Mark served as General Counsel of shopping.com from an initial public offering through its sale. With Mark's counsel guidance, shopping.com launched a pioneering e-commerce platform in 1997. As compared to category specific websites launched at that time (e.g. Amazon's initial focus on the sale of books), shopping.com adopted the novel business model of offering all types of products for purchase with one click. With Mark's management and counsel, shopping.com's success was realized with a cash tender offer from Compaq Computer for $260M.