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

Don Sperling’s extensive experience handling issues related to businesses, from start-ups to fully matured companies, enables him to evaluate clients’ legal and business concerns and opportunities from multiple angles. He adeptly guides them through short- and long-term considerations for their businesses, whether in the context of a potential merger or acquisition, key hire, a real estate transaction, an employment issue, a business strategic planning consideration or a litigatio...

Mr. Keller is a member in our wealth strategies and corporate practice areas. He concentrates his practice in estate planning, probate and general business, corporate law and succession planning. Mr. Keller is an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law in the Master's of Taxation Program where he teaches a class in business succession planning. Mr. Keller is a frequent lecturer and speaker on estate planning, business succession planning and tax issues. He has authored ar...

Terry is one of the most experienced real estate and restaurant attorneys in Hawaii and is a licensed real estate broker. In his roughly 40 years of practice, Terry has represented a "who's who" list of local and national developers, hoteliers, investors and entrepreneurs on a wide variety of Hawaii real estate acquisition, development, business, hotel and restaurant matters. Terry's current clients include Safeway, Inc., Parallel Capital Partners, Roy's Holdings, Inc., Outback Steakhouse, In...

Christopher W. Boyett co-chairs Holland & Knight's National Private Wealth practice. Mr. Boyett advises domestic and international wealthy families throughout Florida on sophisticated estate planning strategies and options and counsels family businesses on succession planning and tax planning. Additionally, he advises both institutional and individual clients on estate and trust administration issues. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami School of Law, Graduate Program in...

Jennifer R. D'Amato 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, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Jennifer R., who practices law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer R. is held by other top lawyers in t...

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...

JIM O'SULLIVAN represents closely-held businesses, including law firms and other service professionals. Serving as general counsel and primary contact for businesses and their owners, Jim focuses on the ongoing legal needs of these clients, as well as strategic planning for growth and ownership succession opportunities. Jim leverages his considerable planning, negotiation and contract drafting experience to counsel clients through key events such as business formation, joint ventures, mergers...

As a member of the law firm, Stroud, Willink & Howard, LLC , Joe specializes in complicated transactions, and for that reason he is known as one of Madison’s top real estate and business attorneys. Joe maintains a strong reputation as being detail- and solution-oriented. He is a trusted counselor who listens to his clients’ concerns and cares about their long-term success. Specialties Section 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges Construction Financing Construction Contracts Eminent Domain

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...

Mr. Murrah's practice is concentrated primarily in estate planning, probate, federal transfer taxation, estate and trust administration, and federal income taxation. He advises clients on all elements of wealth transmittal and preservation, including preparation of wills and trusts, closely held business succession issues, asset protection strategies, and techniques for the minimization of transfer taxes. His experience also includes representation of trustees and trust beneficiaries. Mr. Mur...

Ken Coe strives to take a sophisticated yet practical approach to the practice of law and the counsel and advice given to clients and their families. Ken advises business clients who represent a broad spectrum of industries and a wide range of business functions. Ken’s clients benefit from his ongoing working familiarity with various income, gift and estate tax matters, contracts of all kinds, shareholder, partnership agreements, limited liability company arrangements, real estate activ...

Clark Luke is a partner in the firm’s Tax and Trusts & Estates practice groups. His practice is primarily focused on estate planning and administration, taxation, corporate law, and M&A. Clark has been listed in Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide , The Best Lawyers in America ®, and Mid-South Super Lawyers . He has an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Richard M. Hall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. Richard M., who practices law in Carmel, Indiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason F. Haupt 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 and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jason F., who practices law in Canton, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practic...

Jacqueline Duval is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. Jacqueline, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jacqueline is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gregory F. Monday 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, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Gregory F., who practices law in Madison, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geograp...