Areas of Emphasis
- Succession Planning
- Employment and Human Resources Counseling
- Estate Planning
- Advisory Board Development
- Family Council Development
- Non-Family Executive Issues
- Shareholder Agreements
- Corporate Governance
- Debt and Equity Financing
- Tax Planning and Counseling
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Dispute Resolution
- Compensation and Benefits Advice
- ESOP/Equity Based Compensation
- Intellectual Property Strategy
- Technology Licensing and Contracting
- Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances
Practice Overview
Reed Smith’s Private Client Group works as an interdisciplinary team of legal and business advisors to serve the particular needs of privately held businesses. Often these businesses are traditional family businesses where the goal is to maintain both the pride and success of the business for the long-term. These businesses present special challenges relating to balancing the needs and functionality of the family and the business. Many of our other clients’ businesses, while privately held, do not involve family members. For example, in the new economy, the owners’ objectives are often to develop the business for sale over a shorter time and reinvest the proceeds in subsequent entrepreneurial ventures. Nonetheless, as with family businesses, the relationships among the typically small number of owners are fundamental to the success of the business.