In addition to the usual business law matters, closely held businesses need practical advice to meet their unique needs, both from a business entity and tax perspective.

Entity Planning

Through our extensive knowledge and experience working with the owners of closely-held businesses, and because of our exposure to numerous complex transactions, we are able to prepare effective terms of operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and buy-sell arrangements for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and joint ventures. Our attorneys structure innovative solutions that are available for small and medium sized corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, taking advantage of the flexibility offered by those entities.

Financing

In order to address the capital needs of our clients who are enjoying expanding growth, we help them negotiate and obtain bank financing. Additionally, we assist our clients in working with venture capital firms and angel investors, as well as establishing joint ventures and making private placement offerings. We aid our clients in key aspects of financial transactions, such as retaining control over company management, limiting liability with respect to personal guarantees, requiring disclosure of critical information and maintaining confidential information.

Succession Planning

Our attorneys have extensive experience in crafting, developing and implementing buy-sell arrangements, life insurance arrangements that minimize liquidity problems during estate administration, family limited partnerships (and unwinding family limited partnerships), non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements, private annuities and sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts. SSE&C’s attorneys counsel our clients in connection with the transfer of their businesses from one generation to the next, so as to maximize the tax benefits that may be available to the clients and to minimize any tax obligations associated with the transition.

Exit Strategies

SSE&C attorneys have participated in numerous transactions involving sales of closely-held businesses to key employees, other closely-held companies and Fortune 500 companies. We provide highly personalized and responsive attention to the needs of our clients in negotiating the terms of business sales to achieve the best possible results for them. Our attorneys structure the sale of a business in a tax-advantaged manner, including participating in Section 1031 like-kind exchanges and maximizing potential estate planning opportunities.