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

James M. Zimmerman is a partner in Taft’s Business and Finance Group and co-chair of the firm’s private equity and venture capital practice. He represents businesses, entrepreneurs and investors on a range of matters, including financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, technology licensing agreements, and stock options/executive compensation. James serves as outside counsel for numerous startups and growth companies, and represents private equity and ...

Matthew B. Edwards is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Matthew B. practices law in Greenville, South Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew B. Edwards since 2019. The Best Lawyers reco...

Bradley J. Dougherty is a partner in the Corporate Department of the Indianapolis, Indiana office of Barnes & Thornburg. Bradley concentrates his practice in the areas of business transactions, estate planning and estate administration. He represents individuals, closely held businesses and family businesses. Bradley provides services for the formation and operation of corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies, and representation of these entities as corporate/legal couns...

Kenneth M. Krock concentrates his practice in advising and representing clients in business and commercial litigation involving real estate, construction, bankruptcy related disputes, financial institutions, and employment disputes. His experience includes: Advising and representing owners, developers, landlords, property management companies, sellers, buyers, general contractors, subcontractors, construction equipment lenders, real estate professionals, lenders, and others in the real estate...

Richard O. Kissel II is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. Richard O. practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana Best Lawyers has recognized Richard O. Kissel II since 2015. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Richard O. Kissel II is held by other lawy...

Andrew Apfelberg, a Partner at Greenberg Glusker LLP, is a corporate and finance attorney for middle-market companies throughout the United States. Andrew often acts as outside general counsel to his clients, providing advice on a business’ significant transactions whether it’s a merger or acquisition, private equity or other financing, joint venture or licensing deal. He has a considerable depth of experience in the branded consumer products and manufacturing & distribution i...

Joe Camilli is a Shareholder in the Business Practice Group at von Briesen & Roper, s.c. He focuses his practice on business and corporate issues, mergers and acquisitions, and employment matters. Joe enjoys working with entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses. Joe finds the greatest success and joy in helping clients navigate and conquer the challenges and opportunities they face. Whether clients need help selling their business, navigating a challenging employment situation, or r...

David C. Tingstad maintains an extensive practice in the areas of business and real estate matters, limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations and real estate. David regularly counsels clients in all aspects of business including operations, asset acquisitions, conversions and mergers. In addition, his practice includes assisting operating businesses with succession planning, financing, dissolution and disputes between owners. David’s clients range from family businesses to renewa...

James D. Wegner is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Aviation Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. James D. practices law in Omaha, Nebraska Best Lawyers has recognized James D. Wegner since 2013. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in w...

Douglas E. Starcher is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Public Finance Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Douglas E. practices law in Orlando, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Douglas E. Starcher since 2010. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the...

Pursuant to a merger with the firm in which he was a principal since 1985, Alan has been a Partner at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP since 2015. He primarily works with closely held and family businesses of all types and the individuals and families who own those businesses. Alan’s practice areas cover a broad range of business and personal matters, including – tax-exempt nonprofits; real estate; estate planning and estate & trust administration; planning, structuring, and f...

Luther D. (Lew) Starling, Jr. is a life-long resident of Clinton, North Carolina. He attended Clinton High School where he served as President of his senior class and President of the Future Farmers of America. He graduated from Campbell University in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. While at Campbell, Lew served as President of the Adam Smith Club, the university's second largest student organization. 1n 1990, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest Univer...

Sean P. Murphy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law . Sean is also recognized by Martindale-Hubbell with an AV-Rating, denoting preeminence in law practice and peer-rated for the highest level of professional excellence and ethics. After founding The Law Offices of Sean P. Murphy & Associates, Sean was recruited to open the Naples, Florida office of The Lynch Law Group - a full-service firm representing bu...

Colleen Lyons has represented a wide assortment of public and private companies. However, the primary focus of her practice involves the representation of small- and medium-sized entities concerning matters ranging from entity selection, formation and structuring to counseling regarding ongoing operational and governance matters. She has a broad-based transactional practice with particular emphasis in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financings, commercial contracts and commercial le...

Brendan P. Snowden is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. Brendan P. practices law in Stamford, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Brendan P. Snowden since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Brendan ...

Bruce W. Haffey is a senior, highly-qualified business and tax lawyer with the firm of Giarmarco, Mullins and Horton, P.C. in Troy, Michigan, and is a member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Haffey practices primarily in the areas of corporate law, commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, franchise and distribution law and tax law and for closely-held business clients engaged in a wide assortment of industries. Mr. Haffey represents privately-held business clients throughout the life ...