Security Alarm
The Security Alarm Group, with more than a dozen lawyers in the Firm's Pittsburgh, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC offices, has a well-established practice in the security alarm industry. The practice is multi-faceted and extends to counseling both start-up and established companies in acquisitions, dispositions, financings, joint ventures, tax planning, licensing, litigation, employment law, non-compete enforcement, franchising, customer contracts and other day-to-day concerns.
Client satisfaction with our services is reflected in our growth, as we represent dozens of clients in the industry. In the past few years, our lawyers have been involved in a multitude of industry transactions with an aggregate value well in excess of $1 billion, including:
- Representing parties in both asset and stock purchase and sale transactions
- Representing lenders in various loan transactions
- Representing companies in raising equity from outside investors
- Representing borrowers in obtaining secured and other types of financing
As a result of this experience, we understand the business issues and challenges facing the security alarm industry. We also have developed various checklists and forms applicable to the industry. For example, we have found that our "seller's checklist" of legal and business issues has been an invaluable tool for clients considering the sale of their business.
We realize, especially in the transaction context, that business necessities often outweigh legal issues, so we work to solve problems and achieve our clients' goals with a minimum of risk and cost. We also know that timing is crucial to our clients' transactions, and we respond promptly to their needs.
We act as counsel to the Electronic Security Association, and have also represented other alarm organizations from time-to-time. In doing so, we have become familiar with the day-to-day issues that confront operators in the industry. For example, when Pennsylvania adopted a law requiring that all consumer contracts be written in plain language, we worked with our clients to draft the first "plain language" contract approved by the Attorney General's office. We advise security alarm clients on a variety of matters, including customer contracts, employment agreements, state licensing, personnel policies, insurance and liability claims, trade names, Federal Trade Commission and state advertising requirements, consumer protection laws and other areas.
Members of our group have written numerous articles for industry publications, as well as participated in industry seminars on a variety of topics, including the purchase and sale of a business, customer contracts, financings, electronic contracting, data security, employment, estate planning, tax and related matters. As a result of our broad practice, we have an extensive network of contacts within the industry. Consequently, we have been successful in introducing those new to the industry to established operators, consultants, brokers and lenders.
The Security Alarm Group also co-sponsors the Barnes Buchanan Conference, an annual financing and acquisition-oriented conference for the security alarm industry in Palm Beach, Florida. Recognizing the real need within the security alarm industry for more financing sources, our lawyers were instrumental in creating a conference where members of the banking and investment community have the opportunity to meet with, and learn from, the industry's leaders.