Family business practice

Our attorneys possess considerable expertise in providing legal advice to Family Businesses and their owners (partners), including those with multiple co-owners (partners) who frequently have competing interests.

Our firm has considerable experience in both the area of unexpected succession, which is typically associated with the sudden death of a founding owner or partner, and in planning and executing generational succession in a Family Business.

In particular, we offer legal support in the following areas:

— Ensuring business continuity (continued existence) of a Family Business regardless of its legal form – in the event of untimely or scheduled succession,

— Planning and carrying out succession in a Family Business,

— Assuring that heirs receive fair treatment in Family Business succession cases,

— Creating ‘family constitutions’ and family foundations,

— Mediating between owners (partners) to achieve common goals regarding Family Business interests,

— Performing the role of, or supporting, succession managers,

— Securing bridge financing to address potential financial shortfalls in Family Businesses, as is often the case when there is an unplanned succession,

— Providing interim management services for a Family Business until a permanent manager is elected,

— Performing supervisory functions as a member of the Supervisory Board,

— Private investments by Family Business owners (partners) outside of their core activities, e.g., buying and selling private real estate, acquiring shares, minority interests in unrelated enterprises, establishing and operating other business ventures unrelated to the Family Business, as well as charitable activities.

As part of our transactional practice, we advise owners (partners) of Family Businesses on a full exit or partial sale options if they believe that is the best way forward for the Family Business.