Business Transactions

Mergers & Acquisitions

Farella Braun + Martel offers a vibrant mergers and acquisitions practice comprised of highly experienced lawyers who provide comprehensive services to maximize value retention. We have advised on mergers and acquisitions in Northern California for over 60 years representing a diverse set of clients and industries based in California, the United States and internationally. We’ve represented buyers and sellers, family-owned businesses, emerging and mature companies, professional services firms, and others across myriad industries, in domestic and cross-border transactions.

Farella’s team of strategic, proactive, accessible deal lawyers maintain a focus on retaining value and thoughtfully addressing risks and contingencies in order to help our clients achieve their desired outcomes. Our clients and opposing counsel describe us as responsive, personal, and detailed lawyers capable of closing even the most difficult deals.

Why Farella?

Quality and efficiency are paramount for executing successful mergers and acquisitions. Our M&A lawyers know firsthand that the longer a deal takes to complete, the more likely it will be that costs will increase and obstacles to closing will arise. Therefore, we prioritize agile, informed decision-making by giving our clients all they need to anticipate and address challenges and to meet the discrete demands of their transaction.

We staff our teams leanly with highly experienced lawyers, and manage mergers, acquisitions, and other major corporate transactions proactively to deliver maximized value. Our clients work directly with the lead partner, who understands the details and nuances of their deal and can keep all aspects of the transaction moving forward promptly. Our knowledge and expertise allow us to work hand-in-hand with our clients to prioritize the key issues and properly allocate and minimize risk associated with any transaction.

Experience Matters

Farella is a prominent Northern California powerhouse law firm leveraged by buyers and sellers of businesses because we know the territory, the deal landscape, the law, and how to translate that to meet our clients’ goals. Combined with our transactional expertise, we also have the resources to cover a full range of specialist areas including antitrust and competition, employment and benefits, environmental, real estate, intellectual property, tax, and corporate governance.

Our lawyers offer clients big-law talent and experience without big-law fees. A majority of our M&A team started their careers in large law firms, gaining expertise on large middle market deals and then put their expertise to work at Farella to provide a direct and efficient model for client service. When you engage us, you’ll develop a strong relationship with your lawyer, who will become your advisor, strategist, drafter, negotiator, and sounding board. First-time buyers and sellers thrive in this ecosystem, as our firm also provides excellent support in multiple, related practice areas that typically come in to play in deals, saving time and costs.

Cross-Border Transactions

In addition to our work leading domestic transactions, our team also acts as U.S.- and California-based “local” counsel for international clients in cross-border transactions. We partner with international law firms on complex multi-national mergers and acquisitions, mostly involving buyers, sellers or target companies located in California. We provide tremendous value with our deep understanding of the U.S. M&A market and our experience completing California-based deals.

Along with our talented group of specialists, we support our international colleagues through the fundamental elements of any cross-border transaction, including navigating corporate/tax structuring, Hart-Scott-Rodino and other governmental filings, executive employment contracts, intellectual property licensing, real estate transfers, environmental liabilities, and general legal diligence.

Comprehensive Counsel and Trusted Advisors

While nearly all major transactions have twists and turns, mergers and acquisitions are particularly noted for last minute surprises and complexity. We work as trusted advisors to principals and decision-makers, guiding them through the sale process, risk allocation, negotiation hurdles, and more in what can otherwise be very stressful process. Exercising savvy business judgment while advocating forcefully for our clients’ interests, our deal attorneys help keep things calm, focused, and straightforward—honest, truthful, and trustworthy—putting clients at ease throughout the process.

Firm Highlights

News

Chris Locke Recognized for Jack London State Historic Park Pro Bono Work

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News

Farella Braun + Martel Ranked in Chambers High Net Worth 2023

Farella Braun + Martel is pleased to announce that our Private Client Industry Group and Family Wealth Partner Mark Weaver were recognized in Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) Guide 2023 in the Private Wealth...

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Publication

Quick Tip: State Filings in Massachusetts and Connecticut

Welcome to  EO Radio Show – Your Nonprofit Legal Resource.  I'm Cynthia Rowland, and episode 55 is the sixth in a series of Quick Tip episodes focusing on the details of state registration of...

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Publication

Corporate Transparency Act Imposes New Disclosure Obligations on Business Entities Effective January 1, 2024

If you own an interest of 25% or more in any business entity or have any substantial control over any business entity (including as a manager or senior officer), or if you are responsible...

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Publication

Nonprofit Tenants and Lease Agreements: Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid

Welcome to  EO Radio Show – Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . I'm Cynthia Rowland, and today, we are again lucky to have Farella real estate partner Quinn Arntsen with us to talk about leasing...

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Event

CalCPA Wine Industry Conference 2023

Holly Sutton and Rebecca Stephens are speakers at the CalCPA Wine Industry Conference 2023 for the session "Labor Law Update." Session Overview: Explore the critical distinctions between employees and contractors, delve into wage and hour regulations, gain...

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News

Who’s Who Legal 2023 Recognizes Farella Lawyers

Six Farella Braun + Martel lawyers have been recommended by Who’s Who Legal 2023 as leading practitioners in their fields. Who’s Who Legal – Environment 2023 James Colopy Robert Hines David Lazerwitz Chris Locke...

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Publication

IRS Moves to Target Wealthy Taxpayers in Historic Compliance Drive

This month, the IRS announced that it is using the long-term funding approved by Congress through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to shift its attention to wealthy taxpayers in an effort to “identify sophisticated...

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Event

All the Legalese: What You Need to Know About the New Pay Transparency Law and Other Legal Updates

Holly Sutton is a Winejobs.com 2023 HR Summit speaker for the session "All the Legalese: What You Need to Know About the New Pay Transparency Law and Other Legal Updates." Session Overview: It can be...

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Event

19th Annual Renewable Energy Law Conference

Dirk Mueller is speaking at the 19 th Annual Renewable Energy Law Conference on "Mineral Issues’ Impact on Real Estate Documents, Siting and Planning: Texas vs. California."

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