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...

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...

Tony Sayess 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 and Corporate Law. Tony practices law in Concord, New Hampshire Best Lawyers has recognized Tony Sayess since 2024. 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 Tony Sayess ...

Mr. August is a shareholder in the firm. Mr. August has been with the firm since 1994. He is a certified specialist in the fields of both Taxation Law, and Estate Planning and Probate by The Supreme Court of South Carolina. He is listed in the book The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Bursiness Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates Law. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree, magna cum laude ...

Paul R. Elofson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Corporate Law. Paul R. practices law in Omaha, Nebraska Best Lawyers has recognized Paul R. Elofson since 2020. 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 Paul R. Elofson is held by other lawyers.

Kathleen W. Bilderback 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 and Trusts and Estates. Kathleen W. practices law in Clayton, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Kathleen W. Bilderback since 2020. 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 t...

Jon Sparkman is a shareholder of the firm counseling privately-held businesses and non-profit organizations. Jon's business law practice involves representing small- to medium-size businesses from start-up to eventual sale, providing advice with respect to formation and financing, growth and expansion as well as mergers and acquisitions. Jon's representation of non-profit organizations focuses on formation , obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status, governance issues and mergers. Specific ...

Jennifer R. D'Amato 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, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Jennifer R. practices law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Best Lawyers has recognized Jennifer R. D'Amato since 2007. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. Th...

Attorney Johanna J. Allex is a partner in Stafford Rosenbaum LLP 's Madison office where she helps families and individuals plan for and manage life’s expected and unexpected transitions. Johanna’s law practice covers all aspects of estate planning and estate administration, marital property law, business succession planning, and tax-exempt organization planning and operations. Johanna is a Certified Public Accountant and serves on the Firm’s Board of Directors. Johanna&rsqu...

Kap has represented buyers and sellers in business acquisitions in a wide variety of industries, including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, hospitality, foodservice, retail, insurance, and aerospace. He is also experienced in private business strategy and planning, including corporate formation, structuring and organization.

Nicole Bodoh is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Nicole practices law in Manchester, New Hampshire Best Lawyers has recognized Nicole Bodoh since 2027. 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 Nicole ...

Court J. Anderson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Court J. practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota Best Lawyers has recognized Court J. Anderson since 2020. 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 ...

Lawrence Brody retired as an Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law, after fifty years of teaching Estate Planning and Drafting. He is a visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami Law School, teaching a course on Life Insurance. Mr. Brody is the author or co-author of numerous articles and books on the use of life insurance in estate and employee benefit planning, including two BNA Tax Management Portfolios, two books for the National Underwriter Company, and a nu...

Beth Mcintosh Irving 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 and Real Estate Law. Beth practices law in Rockville, Maryland Best Lawyers has recognized Beth Mcintosh Irving since 2023. 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...

Dean F. Reisner is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Corporate Law. Dean F. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Dean F. Reisner 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 Dean F. Reisner is held by other lawyers.

Ann Gerwin is an experienced Cincinnati corporate attorney who represents closely held businesses and their owners across Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Her practice focuses on business and corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, venture capital, financing, shareholder disputes, and succession planning. Ann regularly advises clients on complex transactions such as stock and asset purchases, overseeing all phases of due diligence, negotiation, and documentation. In addi...