Best Lawyers in America for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

May Lu serves the transactional needs of businesses and their owners by assisting them with business formations of limited liability companies and corporations, sales and purchases of businesses/mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations (such as conversions sand domestications), recapitalizations, succession and exit planning strategies, general business planning, joint ventures, owner agreements such as operating agreements, buy-sell agreements, and shareholder agreements, and other commerci...

James F. Contini is a director of Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A., and currently serves as a member of the firm’s management committee. His focus is primarily in estate planning, business succession planning, probate, estate and trust administration, elder law, business law, and real estate law.

Mark Davidson plans, negotiates and documents a wide variety of business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, organization, governance, debt and equity financing, executive compensation, partnership and corporate taxation, and management/ownership succession. Mark focuses his practice on the planning, negotiation and documentation of a wide variety of transactions in the life of a business, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, organi...

For more than 40 years, Harlan Dodson has been helping people and businesses solve problems and plan for the future. Clients seeking general business advice, estate planning services, or problem solving and advice generally count on his vast experience and track record of getting the job done. Dodson provides hands-on guidance for his clients, whether working with them to launch a business, structure a complex real estate deal, or draft a will. He learned this dedication from his attorney fat...

Attorney John Barce focuses his practice on business transactions, federal and state taxation, charitable planning, estate and business succession planning, intellectual property and biotechnology licensing. John is a member of the Indiana State and the Allen County Bar Associations. He is a co-founder and director of the NeighborLink Fort Wayne Foundation, a volunteer attorney with the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, an elder at Northeast Christian Church, and a member of the Board of D...

For over 25 years, Christopher has been serving the legal needs of businesses and entrepreneurs. He often serves as general counsel to clients and his experience covers the spectrum of the business cycle, from start-up, to investment and growth, to succession planning and exit strategies. Christopher also has considerable experience with business disputes and has successfully handled commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. His clients past and present include biotech and techn...

High net worth individuals seek Howard’s advice for their complex wealth and estate planning needs. His estate planning experience includes preparing wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, family limited partnerships, limited liability companies and charitable trusts. In collaboration with those he serves, Howard advises on the design and execution of a transition plan that realizes even the most distinct objectives. He also advises on asset protection planning, ...

Sandra Martin Clark is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Sandra Martin, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sandra Martin is held by other top lawyers in the same geo...

Paul E. Alpuche, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Tax Law. Paul E., who practices law in Bethesda, Maryland, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John M. Zaremba is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. John M., who practices law in Concord, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mayer S. Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Litigation - Real Estate. Mayer S., who practices law in Clayton, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mayer S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris Jones is a nationally recognized specialist in the areas of estate planning and business succession planning. Chris heads the firm’s Wealth & Estate Planning group and has substantial experience advising and counseling clients regarding sophisticated estate planning, business succession, asset protection, charitable planning, life insurance matters, and international estate planning. Understanding that each client has specific, unique objectives, Chris and his team provide cre...

Adam D. Reid is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Tax Law. Adam D., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Adam D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Allen D. Altman focuses his practice in the areas of complex estate, gift and GST tax planning for high-net-worth individuals and family units. He is experienced in issues dealing with executive compensation, stockholder agreements and nonqualified deferred compensation. Allen proactively develops and implements tax and estate planning strategies for his clients. In addition, he provides practical recommendations and structures that draw on his experience representing a wide variety of family...

Professional Experience With more than 40 years of experience, Allen is a leader in Helsell Fetterman’s Business and Real Estate Groups. Allen represents numerous individuals and companies in all types of real estate transactions. He has regularly worked on boundary line disputes and homeowner and condominium owner association matters. He has considerable experience working on commercial leases representing both landlords and tenants. He is skilled in drafting all types of real estate d...

Keith R. Galbut leads Galbut Beabeau’s corporate, construction, real estate, and outside general counsel practices. Keith has extensive experience in corporate and real estate transactions, including matters of corporate formation and governance and the negotiation of commercial contracts, employment agreements, license agreements, leases, mergers, acquisitions, and sales of businesses. He often protects his clients’ rights and advances their interests in commercial and real estat...