Structuring Acquisitions of Family-Owned Businesses: Valuation, Due Diligence, Deal Structure, Operational Transition, and More
Recording of a 90-minute premium CLE webinar with Q&A
This CLE course will examine key legal considerations involved in structuring acquisitions of family-owned businesses. The panel will discuss strategies for addressing valuation, conducting due diligence, and evaluating whether to structure the deal as a stock purchase, asset purchase, or purchase of LLC units. The panel will also address transitioning business operations to the new owner and other vital issues.
Outline
- Key legal, business, and tax considerations with the acquisition of a family-owned business
- Due diligence best practices
- Structuring the deal
- Valuation challenges and solutions
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- What legal and business issues arise with the acquisition of family-owned businesses?
- What are the key components of a comprehensive due diligence plan for both buyers and sellers?
- What are the benefits, risks, and tax aspects of structuring the sale as a stock sale versus asset sale versus merger?
- What valuation challenges do acquisitions of family-owned businesses present and how can they be overcome?
- When and how should family members decided to "reinvest" in the family business with "rollover equity" when selling to a financial buyer and what are the tax impacts of doing so?
- How to prepare in advance of a transaction to address the family's estate planning needs?
- What management and transition-related issues could arise when selling a family business?
Faculty

Will Chuchawat
Partner
Sheppard Mullin
Mr. Chuchawat is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Practice. He has closed hundreds... | Read More
Mr. Chuchawat is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Practice. He has closed hundreds of deals in A&D, life sciences, healthcare, consumer, TMT, industrials, financial services, manufacturing, food and beverage and other industries. Mr. Chuchawat’s practice includes public and private M&A transactions representing buyers and sellers in domestic, international and cross border transactions; private placements of equity and debt securities; and negotiation and counseling in a number of commercial business and financial transactions. He is a frequent author and lecturer on M&A issues.
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Kenneth W. Clingen
Partner
Clingen Callow & McLean
Mr. Clingen chairs the firm’s business counseling department. He is general counsel to a number of privately... | Read More
Mr. Clingen chairs the firm’s business counseling department. He is general counsel to a number of privately owned businesses across a variety of industries and also represents high net worth individuals and family offices. He counsels clients in starting new business ventures, operating their ongoing business enterprises and preparing business succession plans for business owners.
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Brett D. Koeller
Shareholder
Godfrey & Kahn
Mr. Koeller is co-chair of the firm’s Corporate Law Practice Group, which includes, among others, the... | Read More
Mr. Koeller is co-chair of the firm’s Corporate Law Practice Group, which includes, among others, the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity & Venture Capital, Securities, and Emerging Companies Practice Groups. His practice focuses primarily on buy-and-sell-side acquisitions, debt and equity financings, and general business law issues. Mr. Koeller’s transactional experience includes representative matters involving both strategic and financial buyers and public and privately-held sellers, as well as registered investment advisers and tribally-owned businesses. In addition to his broad experience as a transactional adviser, Mr. Koeller regularly consults with clients on general corporate structure, contract, risk management and other business law concerns and in this manner acts as outside general counsel to a number of the firm’s privately-held clients.
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