When deciding on an M&A law firm, finding one with the experience and expertise you need is important. The right M&A lawyer will help you navigate the transaction process, advising on legal issues and negotiating tactics to ensure your deal is a success.
Experience
M&A lawyers handle complex legal issues, such as corporate law, private equity, tax, real estate, employment, pensions and antitrust. They typically work with a team of other attorneys to complete a deal and address any issues that may arise. The M&A process is a dynamic and high-stakes one. As a result, it’s important to choose an M&A law firm with experience in the field. It’s also a good idea to choose a law firm with a reputation for excellence, so you can be sure that they will take your case seriously and treat it with the care it deserves. Many M&A lawyers work for a large, well-known law firm. This gives them access to a wide range of deals and experiences. It also means they can learn more about the intricacies of these transactions and how they affect business decisions.
For instance, another key work aspect of an M&A law firm is advising the board of directors. This can involve negotiating with the board and guiding them through their various concerns about the deal. Experienced M&A lawyers are skilled negotiators who know when to let a minor issue go and when to address it head-on. This can save them a lot of stress and heartache down the line.
Flexibility
When looking for an M&A law firm, flexibility should be one of your top priorities. The deal process can be a fast-paced, unpredictable experience, and a flexible lawyer can adjust to the changing requirements of the business and their client. Ideally, you want your lawyer to have a great work-life balance so that they can enjoy their family life and pursue other interests outside of work. This makes them a more valuable asset and allows you to keep them on board longer. Flexible working has become increasingly important in the UK and many other countries, not least because it is seen as a key feature of good employment. 40% of lawyers consider it to be the biggest benefit when they are considering a new employer. Flexibility is also an extremely positive attribute of a law firm’s culture and directly contributes to a company’s ability to attract more diverse clients. It opens the sector up to a wider range of people, and their views and experiences are often very helpful in problem-solving and innovation.
Personality
M&A attorneys typically work at the top tier law firms, and many command billing rates over $1,000 per hour. To stand out in this highly competitive field, you need more than just excellent client service skills and a knack for finding out what’s on the other side of the negotiation table. It also helps to have a personality that complements your wares, a tenacious work ethic and a can-do attitude. The best M&A lawyers are the ones that make you want to come to work each day. These people aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and don’t hold back when it comes to getting the job done. Some may even make you laugh out loud at times. Fortunately, there are more than a few places to find these high-rollers. Whether you’re searching for the next big thing or the latest and greatest, there’s sure to be an M&A law firm out there waiting to be your next gig. The key is to be able to pick and choose the right one for you.
Cost
The cost of an M&A law firm depends on a variety of factors. These include the firm’s size, geographic location and the industry the M&A involves. You can also expect to pay various fees, including retainers and billing rates.
The most expensive M&A law firms typically charge high hourly rates. For example, a lawyer in the top 10 percent of billing rates increased their rates by 14.6% between 2012 and 2015, according to a recent study by CounselLink. In contrast, lawyers in the bottom 10 percent of billing rates saw their rates rise by only 2.4 percent during the same period.
A law firm’s hourly rates may also fluctuate based on the specific details of each deal. The size of the company, its industry, its financial history and other aspects of the transaction contributes to an M&A legal team’s costs.
When evaluating a potential M&A deal, an attorney’s first task is identifying any existing tax exposures. These can include sales tax liabilities that a buyer may not have paid when it completed the purchase of a business.
An M&A attorney’s job is to provide their clients with the best legal advice possible and peace of mind that the deal will be successful in the long run. The attorney’s role is crucial in ensuring that the transaction will be profitable for both the buyer and the seller.
