Business Succession Planning

Proper succession planning is a vital and growing area of concern for owners of privately owned businesses. We have planned a substantial number of succession plans for our clients over the years that encompass management buyouts, leveraged employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), transfers to family members active in the business and sales to third parties (including publicly traded strategic investors). We maintain the expertise for the complete handling, coordination and proper staffing of transactions to ensure that the objectives of the privately owned business owner are met, including the best treatment of the difficult income, estate and gift tax issues that may arise.

Our business succession practice involves counseling family-owned and privately held businesses in a variety of industries on the best method for transitioning ownership of the business to family members, partners and/or employees. We represent clients in all types of such transactions, including stock or asset purchase agreements, management or key employee buyouts, family limited partnerships and ESOPs.

We possess tremendous expertise in assisting clients in the full range of such transactions ranging from small asset purchases to complex mergers and acquisitions. Our experience includes several deals in excess of $50,000,000.00 in which we have successfully and efficiently guided our clients through the transaction process.