Why Work with an M&A Lawyer?

professional profile

March 12, 2024

by a professional from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor in Detroit, MI, USA

Every searcher should partner with a lawyer they trust. But why? After all, there is no rule requiring you to hire a lawyer. You are free to do as many deals as you want, without paying a dime for legal advice. Here are two reasons:
1. Structure. A lawyer can help you structure your deal. There are countless ways to do it. The right structure will depend on, among other things, the nature of the business, your financing options, and tax. A lawyer can help you navigate these complex issues.
Yet truth be told, lawyers are not the only ones who can help with structure. There are countless M&A advisors, many experienced, who may also be able to help. So, what’s the second (perhaps more compelling) reason?
2. Information Asymmetry. Where a lawyer brings serious value to the table is in addressing information asymmetry. In any deal, there is a gap between what the seller knows or ought to know, and what the buyer knows. A good lawyer will ask the right questions during diligence, and translate any unknowns into a strong purchase agreement that protects the buyer's interests.

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commentor profile
Reply by a professional
from University of Michigan in Detroit, MI, USA
Thanks Shauna. Transactional lawyers occupy a strange place in the legal world--the need to hire a litigator is, conversely more obvious! So from time to time, I just like to remind myself what it is I actually do for my clients and why I do it!
commentor profile
Reply by a professional
from Sam Houston State University in Boise, ID, USA
Great information for searchers. I’d personally be hesitant to work on a deal with no lawyer involved. The cost is well worth it.
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