When assessing the ability of a law firm to execute merger and acquisition transactions, the sheer number of deals closed in a year can be a strong indicator of its track record and skills. Our corporate attorneys regularly close more than a hundred deals annually — a remarkable number for a firm of our size — which means there are few issues we haven’t seen and dealt with many times. We are equally adept on the buy and sell sides of deals, and our keen understanding of issues that fall on both sides of the table gives us a unique perspective that facilitates a market approach to resolving complex deal-related matters.
Running the Gamut
While we are best known for middle-market mergers and acquisitions in the service sector, the knowledge gained from our extensive experience readily translates to the full gamut of other clients we serve in many industries — from marketing communications giants and global financial services firms to hospitality industry ventures, distribution and manufacturing businesses, and digital and technology start-ups. We have experience with virtually every type of transaction, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic alliances.
Understanding the Economics
Clients want us at the negotiating table, knowing we’ll take a practical, business-oriented approach to drive deals over the finish line. They count on us to grasp the economics of the deal in great detail — understanding balance sheets, purchase price mechanics (with particular in-depth understanding of earn-out transactions), tax treatments and accounting procedures — and to know “what’s market” in any given situation. We let them know when the economics are sound, the terms and conditions are realistic, and the level of risk is acceptable.
Deal Efficiencies
We are known to be highly judicious with our clients’ legal budgets, and we strive for cost efficiencies at every stage of a transaction. These efficiencies are especially pronounced when we’re brought in at the earliest stages to lay the groundwork before the negotiating and drafting grow complicated, often preparing a client for a transaction years in advance. We are firm believers in focusing our diligence on what is truly important so we can execute effectively while keeping costs reasonable. Once the basic deal is agreed to, we meet with counsel on the other side to lay out the mechanics and try to collaborate on the most linear way to get the transaction completed. We have no use for “scorched earth” approaches — and while our clients’ success is paramount, we often expect all sides to come away with a fair deal.
