Metz Lewis Brodman Must O'Keefe

We provide clients with practical legal advice on a number of issues involving securities law, including: venture capital, private debt and equity placements, investment company and mutual fund management, complex financing transactions, and issues that come out of using business brokers. We alert and advise clients on securities law compliance issues that are often overlooked, such as investment advisory and broker/dealer compliance issues. We prepare and review filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory agencies, and advise on both regulatory and public compliance and disclosure matters. We counsel clients on board and shareholder meetings, preparation of proxy materials, and other operational matters affected by securities laws. We provide counsel to private equity firms, mezzanine funds, venture capital funds and portfolio companies, with a focus on transactions involving middle market companies. We also have a deep history of representing owners of companies and management teams in transactions involving private equity or venture capital financing. We have specific industry experience in manufacturing, information services and technology, distributors, automotive, plastics, healthcare, biotechnology, and food and consumer products sectors. From a transactional standpoint, we are deeply experienced in the merger and acquisition, corporate finance, and recapitalization aspects of private equity transactions, including add-on financing and investment banker-led exit transactions. We staff our private equity transactions exclusively with a team of experienced attorneys led by an experienced partner. An appropriately drafted shareholder, operating or partnership agreement will set the stage for a clear understanding of the rights and duties of shareholders, LLC members and business partners. A well drafted agreement is critical to achieving a clear and efficient resolution to the inevitable changes which occur with multiple owner entities, such as the death, disability, or departure of a partner, or a deadlock or other business disagreement among owners.