Mergers & Acquisitions Practice

Our legal services encompass the entire Transaction process from planning to post-closing, and we work hand-in-hand with other professionals including bankers, accountants, specialist attorneys, consultants and brokers to achieve maximum success on each M&A Transaction we undertake. The typical M&A Transaction Life Cycle includes the following stages in which we offer legal services:

Preliminary Steps in M&A Transactions

  • A. Non-Disclosure Agreements
  • B. Term Sheets
  • C. Letters of Intent
  • D. Exclusivity, No Shop Agreements & Break Up Fees
  • E. Due Diligence Review & Checklists
  • 1. Financial Statements
  • 2. Tax Returns
  • 3. Key Assets
  • 4. Key Contracts
  • F. Structuring the M&A Transaction
  • 1. Determining what should be sold
  • 2. Determining Selling Price
  • 3. Determining Type of Payments (Cash/Stock)
  • a) Equity Roll Over
  • 1) Securities Registration & Liquidity
  • 2) Securities Restrictions & Liquidity
  • 3) Securities Dilution & Valuation
  • 4) Management Rights
  • b) Equity Incentives
  • c) Earn-Outs
  • d) Purchase Price Adjustments
  • 4. Determining Timing of Payments
  • a) Escrows
  • b) Hold Backs
  • c) Earn-Outs
  • 5. Tax Considerations
  • a) Ordinary Income
  • b) Capital Gain
  • c) Basis Considerations
  • d) Section 1202 and Related Tax Breaks
  • e) Tax Free Consideration
  • f) Section 409A
  • g) Elections
  • h) Bulk Sales Tax
  • i) Foreign Investors / Owners
  • 6. Assumption of Liabilities
  • 7. Third Party Consents
  • 8. Creditor Rights Considerations
  • 9. Indemnification Negotiations
  • G. Coordination with Client's other Professionals
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  • Employment Matters in M&A Transactions

  • A. Determining Retention & Termination of Employees
  • B. Treatment of Employee Benefits
  • 1. Equity Incentives (Stock Options, etc.)
  • 2. Health Insurance
  • 3. Retirement Plans
  • 4. Change of Control Bonuses
  • C. New Employment Contract Considerations
  • D. New Benefits / Equity Incentives / Service Credit
  • E. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreements
  • F. Golden Parachute / COBRA / WARN Issues
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    IP/Regulatory Matters in M&A Transactions

  • A. IP Rights Inventory & Due Diligence
  • 1. Patents
  • 2. Trademarks (Registered and Unregistered)
  • 3. Trade Secrets
  • 4. Copyrights (Registered and Unregistered)
  • 5. Know-How & Proprietary Information
  • B. Chain of Title Documentation
  • C. Regulatory Issues (Industry-specific
  • licensing, permits, registrations)
  • D. Excluded Intellectual Property on Side Ventures
  • E. Licensing from Third Parties
  • F. Licensing to Third Parties
  • G. Failed M&A and continued protection of IP
  • H. Successful M&A and post-Closing IP Claims
  • I. Third Party Consents
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  • Real Estate Matters in M&A Transactions

  • A. Company/Affiliate Real Estate Considerations
  • B. Assignment of Leases
  • C. Environmental Risks
  • D. Third Party Consents
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  • Definitive M&A Agreement Negotiation & Drafting

  • A. Economic Bargain details
  • B. Representations and Warranties
  • C. Operation from Signing to Closing
  • D. Covenants to fulfill to achieve Closing
  • E. Termination Clauses to abort transaction
  • F. Indemnification for breaches, misrepresentations
  • and warranty failures (Baskets / Caps / Qual.
  • for Knowledge & Materiality / Time Limits)
  • G. Dispute Resolution
  • H. Purchase Price Adjustments
  • I. Hold Backs
  • J. Escrows
  • K. Earn-Outs
  • L. Disclosure Schedules
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  • Additional M&A Agreements

  • A. Transition Services Agreement
  • B. Management Services Agreement
  • C. Escrow Agreement
  • D. Voting Agreement
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  • M&A Closing

  • A. Amendments to the M&A Agreements
  • B. Negative Covenants / Absence of Conditions
  • C. Affirmative Covenants / Third Party Consents
  • D. Exchanges of Documents / Wires
  • E. Company Certificates
  • F. Regulatory & 3rd Party Notices / Filings
  • G. Creditor Payoff Procedures
  • H. Flow of Funds & Waterfall Reconciliations
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  • Post Closing

  • A. Seller Representative Representation
  • B. Buyer Integration
  • C. Earn-Out Assistance and Advice