Forward-looking and dynamic, Farella’s Business Transactions Practice advises public and private corporations, entrepreneurs, investors, closely-held businesses, and family offices on needs that range from day-to-day operations to mergers and acquisitions, financings, structuring and organizational matters, investments, complex contracts, data security issues, insurance coverage needs, growth strategies, and more. Deploying responsive guidance, we work closely with decision makers who rely on our business-oriented judgment in pursuing their opportunities and goals. 

Tailored for Your Needs

We become intimately familiar with our clients’ businesses and industries, and frequently act as their outside general counsel. Through in-person meetings and site visits, we get to know their company’s management structure, financials, operations, personnel, policies, and goals. This critical knowledge informs our ability to create value, and effectively represent their interests.

Our clients appreciate our ability to staff lean teams—often comprised of a partner and an experienced associate—without sacrificing quality. However, we have the depth to staff larger deal teams for highly complex or time-sensitive matters, as needed. From our firm’s inception, our founders believed that hiring top quality associates and investing in their development would not only provide clients with the best service available but would also ensure economy and continuity in counsel over time—because at Farella, relationships are long-standing. 

Scope and Reach

Most business transactions cover a range of issues, including employment, compensation, tax, intellectual property, data security, environmental, insurance, and sometimes, litigation. Because Farella is a full-service firm, our transactional attorneys are able to assemble multi-disciplinary teams of attorneys with the specialized expertise to address these issues efficiently.

When special needs arise, our clients look to us for introductions to investment banks, accounting firms, appraisers, wealth managers, and potential investors. We maintain a strong network of personal relationships that fosters strategic, innovative opportunities for our clients—we are always looking to make great things happen.

Area of Focus  

The core focus of our work involves a variety of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and financings. On a daily basis, our deal lawyers bring their wealth of experience and market knowledge to provide a nuanced and creative perspective. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—rather, each deal is unique and requires a careful understanding of the underlying motivations and dynamics.

A significant part of our practice focuses on governance matters and structuring relationships among founders, owners, partners, boards of directors, managers, and other stakeholders. We help these groups manage internal conflicts and work through the labyrinth of business and legal considerations involved in operating a business, such as making strategic decisions and undertaking complex transactions.

Also, we represent high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Often, these clients have special needs ranging from negotiating and structuring investments to protecting family assets from risk, monitoring portfolio companies and real estate assets, tax planning for family entities, dealing with regulatory compliance, and planning for generational wealth transfers. Our entrepreneurial and family business clients rely on our advice not only to grow their businesses, but also to incentivize the next generation of leaders through compensation or ownership transfer.

As market conditions fluctuate and business needs evolve, our Business Transactions Group ensures that our clients are fully advised on emerging topics and trends. We strive to be true business partners and advisors to our clients, with a focus on helping them succeed and reach their goals.

Firm Highlights

Publication

Corporate Transparency Act: A Guide on Beneficial Ownership for Nonprofit Executives

The Corporate Transparency Act, enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, represents a significant shift in regulatory requirements for entities across the United States. This act, set to...

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Publication

What Nonprofit Leaders Need To Know About the Corporate Transparency Act

Welcome to  EO Radio Show – Your Nonprofit Legal Resource. I'm Cynthia Rowland, and today on EO Radio Show , we are discussing a new law that will have implications for many nonprofit organizations...

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Publication

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

Corporate Transparency Act Guide - PDF 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...

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Publication

Life Is Too Short for Bad Wine Distribution Agreements: 10 Key Considerations

If you are like most wine brands, DTC through your tasting room, club, and website can only take you so far. Success usually means accessing the general on- and off-premise markets, and accessing those...

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News

Farella 2024 Partner Elevations: Cynthia Castillo and Greg LeSaint

Northern California legal powerhouse Farella Braun + Martel is pleased to announce the election of two lawyers to partnership effective Jan. 1: Cynthia Castillo and Greg LeSaint. “We are thrilled to elevate Cynthia and...

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News

Farella Braun + Martel Earns 2024 Best Law Firms® Rankings

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