Harris Beach provides experienced legal counsel on merger and acquisition activities in a wide range of industries. Our attorneys understand the complexities of structuring deals and the importance of speedy transactions. Each industry has specific considerations, and our experience can be crucial to buyers, sellers, financial sources and parties to joint ventures and strategic alliances in securing the best deal possible, protecting our clients’ interests and furthering long-term goals.

We represent clients in asset and equity acquisitions and divestitures, mergers, joint ventures, change of control and other strategic transactions. We help our clients in all phases of a merger, sale or acquisition transaction, from the negotiation of a letter of intent through the due diligence process, contract negotiation and drafting, closing, and post-closing issues, including indemnification claims, deferred purchase price payments, transition services and earnouts.

With Harris Beach, you’ll have access to attorneys across a wide range of industry teams and practice groups so the full breadth of our experience is available to you while executing your deal. Our mergers and acquisitions experience includes regulatory due diligence and securities law compliance as well as providing counsel on handling tax, finance, structural, environmental, immigration, ERISA, securities, labor relations and real estate matters associated with acquisitions and divestitures.

We know what to expect with these complex business transactions and how to anticipate potential problems, so they can be addressed preemptively. Our innovative approaches and tenacious commitment complement our deep experience to help clients achieve their strategic business goals.

SERVICES

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Ventures

Your expansion strategy, divestiture or alliance will come with a myriad of legal, tax, regulatory and other issues. Harris Beach has deep experience across a full spectrum of industries and can help through every phase of the project. We’ll bring the firm’s full breadth of knowledge to develop creative solutions, overcome roadblocks and execute successful agreements. Our attention to detail is an asset when it comes to the many steps necessary to execute these complex deals.

Compliance

It is imperative for companies to comply with corporate governance rules and guidelines to successfully execute mergers, acquisitions and related activities. Harris Beach will help assess regulatory obstacles and strategize the best path to regulatory approval. We’ll help manage the risks associated with your complex business deal.

Due Diligence

Harris Beach will help structure the deal, map out each step, and assess the risks to avoid delays and surprises. We’ll review the entities involved, highlight legal considerations and draft required documents so you have all the knowledge you need to move forward.

Family-owned Companies

Even a family business has legal, tax and financial considerations. Harris Beach can help with establishing company protocols, service contracts for family members, dividends and compensation programs, transfer of shares, and other challenges. We can tailor solutions to your family’s specific needs.

Financing

Harris Beach has worked with sellers, buyers, investors and company management teams, counseling throughout every phase and transaction of a deal. With years of experience, we work to help you get the capital you need on the best financial terms. Whether equity financing, debt financing or some other financial vehicle, our team will work with you on flexible financing that secures the deal.

International Mergers

Complex transactions can be even more so when they cross borders, languages and legal systems. Harris Beach can help you navigate unfamiliar territory. Harris Beach’s experienced attorneys represent both international clients doing business in the United States, and U.S. clients doing business internationally. Doing business in multiple jurisdictions requires experienced counsel.

Negotiating

Any deal requires negotiation. Harris Beach attorneys are skilled, experienced negotiators determined to protect our client and reach agreements in their best interests. We’ll carefully strategize with you to help ensure compromises further your long-term business goals.

Post-merger Integration Activities and Legal Entity Reduction

Once the deal is done, there’s still work to do. Harris Beach can help with structuring and effective integration to maximize the benefits of the deal. Our experienced attorneys will help you develop a step-by-step plan for handling tax implications, integrating departments such as human resources and finance, and successfully moving forward as one entity.

Private Equity and Venture Capital

Mergers and acquisitions are core tools for venture capitalists. Whether investing in a startup or a company at a growth stage, we’ve helped broker deals from all sides of the table. We can help with assessing prospects, strategizing negotiations, executing transactions, drawing up documents and finalizing deals.

Reorganizations

Entity structuring can help businesses manage costs, improve tax positions and achieve business goals. Harris Beach has experience simplifying group structures, transferring assets and business units, aligning legal structures to business models and converting subsidiaries to branches, or vice versa. Our multidisciplinary team can help plan and implement your reorganization to achieve long-term business goals.

Shareholder Relations

Shareholder relations are important to every company and must be carefully and proactively managed. Harris Beach’s experience includes assisting companies in negotiating and executing shareholder agreements that spell out duties, rights and privileges, as well as managing resulting conflicts. Our experience across industries and throughout the lifecycle of a business allows us to give customized advice tailored to individual clients.

Tax Implications

Harris Beach helps clients mitigate tax exposure while maximizing value. We have attorneys experienced in working all elements of tax law and through all phases of a deal. We’ve performed due diligence for both buyers and sellers, established tax structures, conducted tax cost analyses, and handled transaction reporting. We’ll help you plan for tax losses, credits, earnings and profits.