Helen Sterling Coburn

Helen is a corporate and securities attorney at Bernstein Shur whose practice centers on capital raising and compliance with federal and state securities laws. She advises entrepreneurs, startups and operating companies on structuring and executing early- and later-stage financings, including angel and venture capital investments. Her work also includes preparing disclosure documents for capital-raising transactions, with attention to compliance and transparency.

Helen represents investors and high-net-worth individuals in reviewing offering documents, conducting due diligence and negotiating deal terms. Across her financing work, she focuses on moving transactions toward closing through collaborative, practical advice. She explains complex legal concepts in plain English so clients can understand the implications of their transactions.

Her corporate counsel extends beyond financing. Helen guides businesses through entity formation and selection, corporate structure and governance considerations, and exit strategies. She represents B-corps, benefit corporations and other alternative business entities, as well as mature businesses addressing complex governance matters.

Helen also serves as outside general counsel, providing ongoing advice to businesses and working alongside the advisors of growing companies. For startups raising capital to carry out their business plans, that role brings together her securities and corporate counsel with an understanding of the company’s broader objectives.

• JD, Boston College Law School
• BA, Dartmouth College, cum laude

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• State of Maine

The Best Lawyers in America® 2027

• Business Organizations (including LLC's and Partnerships)
• Corporate Law
• Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Securities Regulation

Super Lawyers New England Rising Stars, Business and Corporate Law (2015–2021)

• Maine State Bar Association
• Massachusetts Bar Association
• Startup Maine, Inc., Volunteer (Former Member, Board of Directors)

Speaker, “Term Sheets: What Matters?” Startup Maine Week (2026)

Guest Lecturer, “Startups and Entrepreneurship,” University of Maine School of Law (2023-2025)

Panelist, “Preparing to Raise: Diligence and Cap Table Best Practices to Help You Close Fast,” Startup Maine Week (2025)

Speaker, “Legal Entity Structures for Mission-Driven Businesses,” Coastal Enterprises, Inc., CEI “Do Well & Do Good Part II” Webinar (2024)

Panelist, “Financing and Growth Strategies,” Cooperative Economy Webinar Series (2023)

Interviewee, “Legal Perspective on Becoming a Benefit Corporation,” Maine Venture Fund Interview (2022)

Speaker, “Differences Between B Corps and Benefit Corporations,” Responsibly Different Podcast (2021)

Panelist, “Is a Benefit Corporation Right for You?” Institute of Family-Owned Businesses (2021)

Guest, “Legal Structure and Purpose Alignment for Benefit Corporations,” Benefit Corporations: Profit and Purpose Podcast (2020)

Speaker, UIA International Association of Lawyers 2020 Virtual Congress – Crowdfunding in the U.S. (2020)

Organizer & Lead Speaker, “Angel Investing 101 – An Overview,” and “Understanding Deal Terms,” 2019 Women Angels in Training: An Experiential Investment Workshop (2019)

Panelist, “Early-Stage Capital Raising,” Maine Scratchpad Accelerator (2018)

Panelist, “Financing 101 – How to Access Capital and Plan For Financial Success,” Maine Brew Summit (2017)

Panelist, “What Do Small Businesses Expect from Their Attorneys?” Maine Law’s Business Law Association (2016)

Co-Author, “SEC’s New Crowdfunding Rules,” New Hampshire Bar News (2015)