Protecting the Business You Built.
And the Family Behind It.
Lauren Welling is a Partner at Slater Slater Schulman LLP and founder of The Welling Firm. She advises business owners and entrepreneurs on the legal decisions that protect the companies they have built and the families whose futures are tied to them.
A business is rarely just a business. It supports a family, carries years of work, and often represents a significant part of the owner's future and legacy. Lauren and her team look beyond the immediate legal issue — whether The Welling Firm is advising on a contract, succession plan, trust, or fiduciary matter, the goal is to make sure the business plan and the family plan work together.
How Lauren Helps
Business owners face legal decisions throughout the life of their company — from formation and contracts to succession, retirement, and estate planning. Lauren helps clients build a legal framework that protects the business, supports future transitions, and provides clarity when major life events occur.
Build & Grow Your Business
Legal guidance that grows with your company — from formation and contracts to employment and everyday business decisions.
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Integrated Legal Planning
Legal needs change as a business grows. Lauren helps clients anticipate those transitions and coordinate one stage with the next.
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Planning What's Next
Every business eventually changes hands. A succession plan ensures it happens according to your wishes — not by accident.
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Trustee & Executor Guidance
Helping trustees, executors, and fiduciaries understand their responsibilities and confidently navigate the legal process.
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Protect Your Family
Trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives that protect the people behind your business.
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Resolving Legal Challenges
When disputes arise, Lauren helps clients evaluate options, protect their interests, and move forward with confidence.
Discuss Your Situation Learn more →Legal Needs Change as a Business Grows
A business may need different legal guidance at each stage of its life — from formation and contracts to ownership changes, succession, retirement, and estate planning. Lauren helps clients anticipate those transitions and coordinate the legal decisions that connect one stage to the next.
The Welling Firm directly advises clients across the highlighted stages. For hiring and employment, trademark and IP, financing and fundraising, and real estate matters, Lauren coordinates with the appropriate specialists as needed.
Experienced in complex cases. Personal in every conversation.
Lauren built her career on over a decade of complex litigation experience, coordinating large-scale matters through multi-district litigation and California's coordinated proceedings. Today, she brings that same procedural rigor to business succession, fiduciary, and estate matters — helping clients put a plan in place instead of leaving it to chance.
Clients don't get a rehearsed pitch from Lauren — they get someone who explains exactly where they stand and stays personally involved throughout.
Read Lauren's full story →Over a decade in complex litigation.
Concentrated for nine years in product liability, pharmaceutical, and medical device litigation before broadening her practice to business succession, fiduciary, and estate work — more than a decade as a licensed California attorney.
From the blog
Business owners make better decisions when they understand the legal issues before they become problems. Our articles explain the questions clients ask most often — in plain English.
What Is a Buy-Sell Agreement, and Do You Need One?
The document that decides what happens to your business when an owner dies, retires, or wants out.
Coming soon
You've Been Named Executor in California — Now What?
First steps, obligations, and common missteps for a first-time executor.
Read the article →Do You Need a Will, a Trust, or Both?
Why these two documents usually work together, not as substitutes.
Read the article →Common questions
What is a buy-sell agreement, and do I need one?
What happens to my business if I die without a succession plan?
Do I need a will if I already have a trust?
What happens if I die without a will in California?
I've been named executor or trustee — what happens now?
Can a fiduciary be removed or replaced?
Ready to Plan What's Next?
Whether you're starting a business, preparing for retirement, updating your estate plan, or navigating a major transition, Lauren and her team are here to help.
Speak With LaurenSpeak With Lauren and Her Team
You do not need to know the exact legal name for your problem before reaching out. Start by explaining what happened, who is involved, and what decision or deadline you are facing. Lauren and her team will help identify the type of matter, determine what needs immediate attention, and guide you toward the appropriate next step. When the situation requires additional tax, financial, valuation, or specialized legal support, the firm can also help coordinate with the appropriate professionals.
For urgent matters, call 714-455-9126.