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

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...

I help business owners navigate the sometimes unchartered waters of business ownership and succession planning. As co-founder of our firm’s Startup Team , I assist entrepreneurs with structuring their business entity (drafting and negotiating governing documents) and then taking the company through its growth phase (hiring employees, protecting intellectual property, implementing equity incentive plans for executives and owners, assisting with and positioning the company for institution...

Shelley Detwiller DiGiacomo 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 Governance Law, Corporate Law, Securities Regulation and Venture Capital Law. Shelley Detwiller, who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shelley Detw...

Neal has extensive experience in real estate, advising clients on the acquisition and sale of all types of commercial property, as well as residential and commercial real estate disputes. He also advises clients on issues related to bankruptcy (debtor/creditor issues), construction, and commercial litigation including the prosecution and defense of complex, multi-party disputes. Neal views his job to be helping individuals and businesses manage their legal risks whether in a transaction or li...

Beth Mcintosh Irving 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 Real Estate Law. Beth, who practices law in Rockville, Maryland, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Beth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael High was the leader of the firm’s Business and Commercial Services Practice Group for more than 20 years and currently serves as co-leader of the Group. He has extensive experience in representing businesses, investors, lenders and borrowers in a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, including entity formation, shareholder/owner relations, corporate governance, drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex contracts, mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, corporate fina...

Jonathan L. Grob 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, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Jonathan L., who practices law in Omaha, Nebraska, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan L....

Michael J. Zdeb is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. Michael J., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bert Wolf is a tax lawyer, and a member of the firm's Business Services and Trusts & Estate Groups. He assists individuals and organizations at every stage of business, from formation and raising capital to tax structure and operations planning, and the development of all types of growth strategies – including acquisitions, mergers, and reorganizations. He regularly consults with clients concerning succession planning, wills, trusts and estate planning, buy/sell agreements, risk ass...

Jeff’s practice focuses on business law, real estate, and estate planning. He works with many small- and medium-sized companies and handles all of their legal issues, including business transactions, financing, contracts, licensing matters, and real estate transactions. Jeff has special expertise in commercial real estate development and financing and in the ownership, management and transfer of family cottages, farms and vacation properties. He also represents clients in the agricultur...

Joshua Bennett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Joshua, who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joshua is held by other top lawyers in the s...

Michael F. Schaff is co-chair or the Corporate and Health Law teams at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. Mr. Schaff assists healthcare providers and businesses of all sizes in evaluating both the legal and business ramifications of any transaction, contract, agreement or negotiation, leveraging an educational and professional background rooted in business, finance, and taxation. His healthcare practice includes the representation of healthcare professionals and group practices, hospitals, ...

Scott J. Hill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Scott J., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Cross is a corporate attorney and business adviser, often serving as the outside general counsel for companies not large enough to have an in-house legal department. He assists clients in general business and transactional matters, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, securities, franchises, and real estate. John works with individuals and businesses on various corporate and transactional matters, including formation, organization and choice of entities, shareholder agreements, LLC agree...

Patricia L. Bland 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 Real Estate Law. She has representative clients in various industries including car dealerships, electrical contracting, and real estate. Her advanced degree of Master of Laws in Taxation allows her to seamlessly advise clients in complicated tax matters involving business organiz...

Michael Schiavone has provided legal guidance to businesses for 30 years. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business law, commercial real estate, and estate planning. Mr. Schiavone is experienced in regularly counseling clients in a wide array of legal matters, including: Commercial lending and financial transactions Mergers and acquisitions Corporate, partnership, and limited liability matters Business formation Business succession planning Contract negotiation and dispute resolut...