Practice Areas & Industries: Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P.A., A Professional Corporation

Practice/Industry Group Overview

Cole Schotz's Corporate, Finance & Business Transactions Department has earned a reputation for its ability to handle a myriad of corporate transactions at a very sophisticated level for both closely held and public companies.

In the financial area, we represent traditional lenders, venture capital investors and real estate funds in various types of corporate finance and lending transactions. We handle numerous mergers and acquisitions, and provide advice and representation to individuals and companies on securities law matters and in raising capital, both privately and publicly.

Our corporate attorneys are not only called upon to provide representation in extraordinary circumstances. In fact, clients call us for advice involving employment, corporate governance, financial matters, consulting and other issues on a regular (and sometimes daily) basis.

We have significant experience and expertise in fields such as corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, tax, corporate governance, securities, company valuation, intellectual property, licensing, franchising, business succession planning, and Internet and computer law.

Clients who have worked with the Corporate, Finance & Business Transactions Department appreciate the level-headed, practical approach which our attorneys employ when tackling matters.

Services Available

General Business Representation

• Choice of business entity and related tax consequences
• Organizational documents, including stockholder, LLC and partnership agreements
• Employment, consulting and non-compete agreements
• Deferred compensation arrangements, including stock option, stock appreciation and restricted stock plans
• Compliance with federal and state securities laws
• Commercial negotiations
• Resolution of stockholder/partner/LLC disputes
• Family business planning and succession planning
• Business tax planning
• Joint venture agreements
• Software licensing
• E-Commerce

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Taxable and tax-free mergers and consolidations
• Asset acquisitions and divestitures
• Spin-offs of subsidiaries and divisions
• Leveraged buyouts
• Stock, LLC and partnership purchases and sales
• Tax-free exchanges

Corporate Finance and Securities

• Venture capital
• Private and public offerings of securities
• Business loan transactions