When it comes to buying and selling businesses, regardless if you are the seller or the buyer, you need to find someone who can help you with the legal papers as well as other arrangements which are involved during the entire process.

First and foremost, you need a merger and an acquisition lawyer to help you manage the overall number of mergers, starting from the smallest to the biggest details in every organization. If you are looking for someone who can handle these tasks and responsibilities efficiently, here are some important tips and steps that you can take to protect your company and to make sure that you will be going through the entire process the proper way.

Look around – looking at the internet is the first step in finding an acquisition attorney. Do your homework and do a little bit of research finding a lawyer that has extensive experience in the industry, including one that has a positive reputation at the same time.

Sometimes, asking some of your business associates for references can also lead you into finding a merger and acquisition attorney that could adhere to all of your needs, standards and expectations. Aside from your business associates, you may also ask some of your lawyers (your tax lawyer for instance) and your legal counselors at the same time.

Find out more about the fees – a good merger and acquisition lawyer doesn’t have to ask for a very expensive professional fee. Most of the time, you’d see a good one that offers reasonable rates regardless if it is on an hourly rate, or if they charge depending on a flat fee for all the legal services that they will be providing you. Bear in mind that before you even sign and agree to the contract, you fully understand the terms and conditions, most especially the fees that they are asking from you for the services that they will provide. For example, if you are going on a flat rate, make sure that the contract discusses all the fees that are applicable, along with the description and definition on what the fees are for.

Consider the experience – when it comes to finding a good merger and acquisition lawyer, it has already been said that you have to consider the experience and the number of years that they have been in the industry. You also have to make sure that they have worked with a number of companies so that you can trust on them and make sure that all papers will be taken care of accordingly.

Ask – lastly, do not forget to ask questions. If you already have a list of possible acquisition lawyers, give them a call and ask as many questions as you can. This is the best way for you to determine their expertise in the field, as well as the possible skills and characteristics that he may possess that other lawyers do not possess. Also, consider asking the estimated time it will take for mergers and acquisitions to take place.

17 June 2012