Legal Blog
Is your M&A Attorney an Advisor or a Consultant?
For many people, selling a business is their largest, lifetime financial transaction. And typically it is a one-time event. And further, most people have little experience with this transaction type. Consequently, surrounding oneself with good advisors and advisory teams is paramount. An M&A sale is essentially one really large commercial transaction. Of course, the transaction is documented with contracts containing a host of legal provisions. However, the details of the agreement essentially spin around a sophisticated circumstance where 2 or more parties are negotiating a financial transaction. Hence, understanding market and what are reasonable terms within the “bell curve” of options is important to the seller. The seller’s attorney must routinely work in the M&A space to have the current knowledge base of what is considered market. M&A is not a place to dabble. M&A attorneys must provide their clients with recommendations and suggestions – not merely options, information and forks in the road. Reviewing complicated purchase agreements and understanding the terms is most basic; providing true counsel and advice is a must.
I have practiced in the M&A space for almost 25 years representing both buyers and sellers. My practice and my colleagues at Offit Kurman have successfully concluded hundreds of transactions by carefully subscribing to the formula of (i) educating our clients on the circumstances; (ii) making concrete and definitive recommendations; and (iii) understanding the client’s risk tolerance and ultimate objectives to assist the client with arriving at their decision. Because in the end the M&A transaction is likely the largest financial transaction for most clients.
ABOUT MIKE MERCURIO
Mike Mercurio | mmercurio@offitkurman.com | 301.575.0332
Michael N. Mercurio is a leading attorney in the field of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He serves as outside general counsel in buy-side and sell-side M&A, as well as in all business law and real estate law matters. As a strategic partner to firm clients, Mr. Mercurio regularly counsels entrepreneurial individuals and assorted entities on the many challenges, issues, and opportunities companies face throughout the business lifecycle—from start-up to eventual exit.
ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN
Offit Kurman is one of the fastest-growing full-service law firms in the United States. With 14 offices in seven states, and the District of Columbia, and growing by 50% in two years through expansions in New York City and Charlotte, North Carolina, Offit Kurman is well-positioned to meet the legal needs of dynamic businesses and the individuals who own and operate them. For over 30 years, we’ve represented privately held companies and families of wealth throughout their business life cycles.
Whatever and wherever your industry, Offit Kurman is the better way to protect your business, preserve your family’s wealth, and resolve your most challenging legal conflicts. At Offit Kurman, we distinguish ourselves by the quality and breadth of our legal services—as well as our unique operational structure, which encourages a culture of collaboration and entrepreneurialism. The same approach that makes our firm attractive to legal practitioners also gives clients access to experienced counsel in every area of the law.
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