Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are common in the business world. Having a business litigation lawyer on your team is important to ensure these transactions go smoothly. If you’re not sure whether you’ll require an attorney, consider how a business litigation attorney can help with M&A.
What is a business litigation attorney?
A business litigation attorney represents companies in legal disputes. These disputes can be between two companies or within a company (for example, between shareholders).
Business litigation attorneys often have experience in multiple areas of law, including contract law, intellectual property law, and employment law.
What can a business litigation attorney do in mergers and acquisitions?
Business litigation attorneys can help with every step of the M&A process, from due diligence to post-transaction disputes. Here are some specific ways they can help:
Reviewing Contracts
One of the most important aspects of M&A is reviewing and negotiating contracts. This includes everything from the purchase agreement to employment contracts. A business litigation attorney will explain how to protect your interests in the contract.
Dividing Up Intellectual Property
If you’re merging with another company, chances are you have some intellectual property that needs to be divided up. This could be anything from patents to trademarks to copyrights. A business litigation attorney can help you determine who owns what and ensure that the division is fair.
Relocating Employees
Acquiring another company often means that you’ll need to relocate some of their employees. This can be tricky, as you must guarantee you comply with all the relevant laws. A business litigation attorney can help you navigate the legalities of employee relocation so that everything is done legally and fairly.
Negotiating Terms
In any business transaction, there’s always room for negotiation. A business litigation attorney can help you negotiate the terms of a merger or acquisition, whether it’s the price of the acquisition or who gets which assets.
They’ll also be able to advise you on what’s fair and what’s not, as well as assist you with coming up with creative solutions to problems.
Handling Disputes
Every once in a while, the M&A process will run into some bumps. If there’s a dispute between the companies, a business litigation attorney can help resolve it. This dispute could be anything from a contract disagreement to an issue with the IP division.
Complying with Regulations
Mergers and acquisitions are subject to many regulations, both at the state and federal levels. A business litigation attorney can check to ensure you comply with all the relevant laws and regulations. This way, you can avoid any legal challenges down the road.
Protecting Your Interests
At the end of the day, a business litigation attorney’s job is to protect your interests. They’ll go above and beyond to see that you get the best possible outcome in the M&A process. If anything goes wrong, they’ll be there to fight for you.
Post-Merger Integration Process
Once the merger is complete, there’s still work to be done. The business litigation attorney can help with the post-merger integration process. This includes drafting new contracts, dividing up assets, and more.
Start on the Right Foot
Having a business litigation counselor on your side during a merger or acquisition can help ensure the transaction goes smoothly. They can help with everything from contract review to employee relocation.
If you’re looking for an experienced business litigation attorney in Providence, RI, contact the Law Offices of William M. Kolb, LLC today. We’ll be delighted to help you with all of your M&A needs. Call us or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation.