Business Services

Business Succession Planning

We work closely with the owners of privately-held and family-owned businesses to plan for changes in ownership and management succession or to position the owners of a business for short- or long-term exit strategies such as an employee purchase or other buy-out or acquisition.  In coordination with the members of our taxation and estate planning practices, we provide a full range of planning tools such as buy-sell and stock restriction agreements, family limited partnerships, trusts, and stock transfer, option and gifting arrangements.

Corporate Governance and Equity Compensation

We regularly advise management and the boards of directors of profit and non-profit corporations and foundations on matters of corporate governance and legal compliance.  In addition, we work closely with management and our taxation practitioners to develop equity and other compensation arrangements to provide financial and ownership incentives for management, employees, key personnel, and consultants.

Entity Formation and Maintenance

Whether working with a new entrepreneur looking for the best structure for a business entity or aiding a mature company with ownership or governance issues, we can provide advice on all aspects of forming and maintaining corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. Our attorneys prepare and file formation documents, and draft and negotiate partnership agreements, operating agreements and corporate and shareholder agreements.  Once a business is up and running, we also assist in the preparation of minutes and other documents necessary to keep the books and records of an entity in legal compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.

Securities

The primary focus of our securities practice is on the planning, preparation and implementation of private placements of client securities with investors, venture capital and key employees. Vehicles for such placements include exempt offerings under state and federal law, qualified and non-qualified stock incentive plans, stock warrants, and options. In addition, we offer Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) legal compliance services for our publicly-traded clients, assisting in the preparation, review and filing of periodic reports and other required documents with the SEC and, if applicable, state securities (“blue sky”) authorities.