Jeffrey K. Helfrich

Co-Managing Partner

Phone: (812) 423-3183, ext. 2205

Assistant:
Gayle Schmidt
gschmidt@KDDK.com

About
Experience
Transactions
Publications
Affiliations

Jeff Helfrich is a business attorney with over 30 years’ experience whose practice includes mergers and acquisitions, real estate, commercial finance, business organizations, and healthcare law. Jeff has represented clients in the purchase and sale of businesses locally and on a nation-wide basis, and has represented banks as well as commercial borrowers in the negotiation, preparation, and review of loan documentation. He also represents business owners in a variety of general business matters, including the formation of new businesses, the negotiation of business and real estate contracts, and resolving shareholder disputes.

Education
  • 1982: Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind., B.S., Accounting
  • 1985: Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Ind., J.D. cum laude
Bar Admissions
  • State of Indiana
  • Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
Recognitions
  • Selected, The Best Lawyers in America©, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Selected, The Best Lawyers in America©, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Selected, The Best Lawyers in America©, Commercial Finance Law
  • Selected, The Best Lawyers in America©, Commercial Transactions/UCC Law
  • Selected, The Best Lawyers in America©, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Selected, The Best Lawyers in America©, Real  Estate Law
  • Rated, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell®

 

Experience
  • Mergers and Acquisitions: Advises sellers of businesses on pre-sale strategies to maximize sale price and minimize obstacles to a successful transaction. Advises purchasers on legal due diligence and other matters necessary to evaluate a target business. Advises both purchasers and sellers of businesses on alternate ways of structuring transactions, including asset sales, stock sales, and mergers. Negotiates terms and conditions of purchase and sale documents to protect his client’s interests, using a practical and cost-effective approach to achieve the client’s business objectives and to consummate the transaction in a timely basis.
  • Real Estate Transactions: Represents clients in both commercial and residential real estate transactions, including the purchase and sale of real estate, negotiation and drafting of lease agreements and construction agreements, and resolving disputes in real estate transactions. Jeff has taught real estate licensing courses as an instructor for the Real Estate Certification Program and the Indiana Association of Realtors since 1989.
  • Business Entities: Advises clients in selecting the proper choice of business entity, including limited liability companies, Sub Chapter S corporations, limited partnerships, joint ventures, not-for-profit corporations, and other business organizations. Represents clients in all phases of structuring their business organization, including the negotiation and drafting of stock restriction agreements, shareholder buy-sell agreements, articles of incorporation, articles of organization, by-laws, and operating agreements.
  • Business Contracts: Represents clients in the negotiation, review and drafting of business contracts of all types, including franchise agreements, supplier agreements, independent contractor agreements, employment agreements, and non-competition and confidentiality agreements.
  • Commercial Loan Transactions: Represents banks and commercial lenders in the negotiation, drafting, and review of complex loan transactions and documentation, including credit agreements, promissory notes, mortgages, security agreements, stock pledge agreements, subordination agreements, personal guaranties, estoppels and consent, and non-disturbance and attornment agreements.
Representative Transactions

Jeff has been involved in transactions including the following, which range from $10+ to $300+ million:

  • Sale of broadcasting company with multi-state operations
  • Sale of construction industry supplier with multi-state operations
  • Sale of consumer research firm
  • Sale of advertising agency
  • Sale of music streaming business unit
  • Sale of industrial construction company
  • Sale of packaging material manufacturer
  • Multiple M&A transactions involving hospitals, nursing homes, alcohol rehabilitation facilities, and medical-related companies
Publications
Professional Affiliations
  • Indiana State Bar Association
  • Evansville Bar Association
  • Indiana Licensed Real Estate Instructor
  • Indiana Association of Realtors: Licensing Instructor
Civic Affiliations
  • Easterseals Rehabilitation Center: Board of Directors, Member
  • Evansville Chapter Institute of Management Accountants Educational Foundation, Inc.: Former Director and Secretary
  • Evansville Chapter of Sertoma: Former Director and President
  • Mater Dei Friends and Alumni Association: Former Director