Services for Closely-Held Businesses

Our lawyers frequently advise clients who control or operate closely-held businesses. We help maximize their success through optimal structuring of their businesses for legal, business and tax objectives.

Closely-held business clients also rely on us to act as advisors to their boards, special committees and shareholder groups. As a result, we have deep experience dealing with critical issues involving closely-held corporate governance, frictional relationships among shareholders, employment contracts, compensation plans, sales of assets and operating divisions, acquisitions, buyouts, exit plans and other significant matters.

Services for Family Businesses

We have broad experience in representing family-owned businesses and are sensitive to the dynamic interplay of family and business issues. Clients of the firm regard their lawyers as trusted advisors with whom they can discuss the full range of business, personal and family matters.

Due to the unique and varied needs of family-owned businesses, our multi-disciplinary service teams frequently include attorneys with significant experience in corporate, tax, real estate, litigation, trust and estate planning and other practice areas to make certain that all of the client’s business and legal needs are being addressed. We also work closely with our clients' other professional advisors, including accountants, financial and insurance consultants and family counselors. 

Among other things, we deal with: 1. family and corporate governance structures; 2. the roles of family members as shareholders, managers and spouses; 3. recurring issues related to stewardship and responsibility; and 4. planning for and adapting to unexpected developments, such as divorce and disability.   Our lawyers also address retirement planning, succession, legacy planning, trust and estate planning, and charitable family foundations.