Business Acquisition Lawyer • Ann Arbor, Michigan

Business Acquisition Lawyer in Ann Arbor

Buying a business is one of the highest-stakes decisions you will make. Our Ann Arbor business acquisition lawyers bring 15+ years of transaction experience and personal Managing Partner involvement to every deal, guiding buyers through acquisitions across Education, Technology, Healthcare with the strategic precision and speed your timeline demands.

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Selective M&A Practice
Personal Attention
Managing Partner on Every Deal

Talk to Alex About Your Ann Arbor Transaction

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What We Do

Alex Lubyansky handles business acquisition law work for buyers and sellers in Ann Arbor and across the country. Here is what that looks like:

  • End-to-end legal representation for business buyers
  • Target company evaluation and risk assessment
  • Purchase agreement drafting and negotiation
  • Asset purchase and stock purchase structuring
  • Escrow, earnout, and contingent consideration arrangements
  • Third-party consent and regulatory approval coordination
  • Representations, warranties, and indemnification provisions
  • Post-closing transition and integration support

Who We Serve

We work best with people who know what they want and are ready to move:

  • First-time business buyers seeking experienced legal guidance
  • Search fund operators acquiring their first company
  • Private equity-backed buyers executing add-on acquisitions
  • Corporate development teams pursuing strategic acquisitions
  • Independent sponsors and fundless sponsors closing deals
  • Entrepreneurs acquiring businesses through SBA-financed transactions

See If Your Deal Is a Fit

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Our Process

A structured, methodical approach to business acquisition law

1

Deal Assessment

We review the target business, your acquisition goals, and the proposed deal terms to develop a strategic game plan tailored to your specific situation.

2

Due Diligence

Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky leads a thorough investigation of the target's contracts, liabilities, intellectual property, and regulatory standing to surface risks before you commit.

3

Deal Structuring & Negotiation

We structure the transaction to optimize risk allocation and negotiate purchase agreements, employment agreements, and ancillary documents that protect your interests.

4

Closing Coordination

We manage the closing checklist, coordinate with lenders and third parties, and ensure every condition is satisfied so your deal closes on schedule.

5

Post-Closing Support

After the deal closes, we assist with purchase price adjustments, earnout calculations, transition matters, and any post-closing disputes that arise.

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What Happens After You Submit

We don't take every matter. Here is what happens when you reach out.

1

Personal Review (Within 24 Hours)

Alex reviews your transaction details personally. No intake coordinators, no junior associates screening your submission.

2

Fit Assessment

We evaluate whether your deal aligns with our practice. Not every matter is a fit, and we will tell you directly if it is not.

3

Initial Conversation

If there is alignment, Alex schedules a direct call to discuss your transaction, timeline, and objectives.

4

Clear Engagement Terms

Before any work begins, you receive a written engagement letter with defined scope, timeline, and fee structure. No surprises.

Request Your Ann Arbor Engagement Assessment

Alex Lubyansky handles every business acquisition law engagement personally.

15+ years of M&A experience. Nationwide. One attorney on every deal.

Request Engagement Assessment

We review every transaction inquiry within one business day.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

Questions to Ask Any M&A Attorney Before Hiring

Use these before you call any firm, including ours.

1. "Who will actually handle my transaction?"

At many firms, a partner sells the work and a junior associate does it. Ask for the name of the attorney who will draft and negotiate your documents.

2. "How many M&A transactions has the lead attorney closed in the past 12 months?"

Volume indicates current, active deal experience, not just credentials from years ago.

3. "What is your experience with my deal size and industry?"

A $500K SBA acquisition and a $50M PE deal require different skill sets. Make sure the attorney has handled transactions similar to yours.

4. "Will you coordinate with my CPA, financial advisor, and broker?"

M&A transactions require a team. Your attorney should work with your other advisors, not in a silo.

5. "How do you handle post-closing disputes?"

Reps, warranties, and indemnification claims surface months after closing. Ask whether the firm handles post-closing litigation or refers it out.

6. "What is your fee structure, and what drives cost?"

Hourly, flat fee, or hybrid. Ask what factors increase legal costs so there are no surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from Ann Arbor clients

What does a business acquisition lawyer do?
A business acquisition lawyer guides you through every stage of purchasing a company, from initial due diligence and deal structuring through contract negotiation and closing. At Acquisition Stars, Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky is personally involved in every deal, bringing 15+ years of M&A experience to protect your interests and keep your acquisition on track.
When should I hire a lawyer for buying a business?
Engage a business acquisition lawyer before you sign a letter of intent. Early involvement allows us to shape deal terms in your favor, identify red flags during due diligence, and avoid costly mistakes that become much harder to fix once you are deep into negotiations.
What is the difference between an asset purchase and a stock purchase?
In an asset purchase, you select specific assets and liabilities to acquire, which gives you more control over what you take on. In a stock purchase, you buy the entity itself, including all of its obligations. Each structure carries different tax, liability, and operational implications, and the right choice depends on your specific deal.
How long does it take to close on a business acquisition?
Most middle-market business acquisitions close within 60 to 120 days from signing a letter of intent. Timelines vary based on due diligence complexity, financing requirements, and regulatory approvals. Acquisition Stars is built for speed, and we work to eliminate unnecessary delays that put deals at risk.
How is Acquisition Stars different from other M&A firms?
Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky is personally involved in every deal, not a junior associate. You get extensive M&A experience with the personal attention and responsiveness of a boutique firm. We move at the speed your deal requires because we understand that in acquisitions, timing is everything.
How do Michigan non-compete laws affect business acquisition law transactions?
Enforceable under the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act (MARA), MCL 445.774a. Non-competes must be reasonable in duration, geographic area, and type of activity. Michigan courts apply the "rule of reasonableness" and may reform overbroad covenants. Typical enforceable periods are 1-3 years depending on the circumstances.
What are the Michigan tax considerations for buying a business?
Michigan imposes a 6% Corporate Income Tax (CIT) on C-corporations. Pass-through entities are generally not subject to entity-level tax. Michigan uses a single sales factor apportionment formula with market-based sourcing. The state repealed its Michigan Business Tax in 2012 and replaced it with the simpler CIT.
Does Michigan have a bulk sales law that affects business acquisitions?
Michigan has repealed UCC Article 6 (Bulk Sales). The Michigan Department of Treasury can impose successor liability on asset purchasers for the seller's unpaid taxes. Buyers should request a tax clearance letter before closing.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Ann Arbor?
During your confidential initial consultation in Ann Arbor, we'll discuss your business acquisition law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to Michigan, and outline a clear path forward. We'll explain our process, answer your questions, and determine if we're the right fit for your needs.
Do you work with companies outside of Ann Arbor?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Ann Arbor. Our managing partner handles business acquisition law matters across all 50 states, coordinating with local counsel where state-specific requirements apply.

Need Specific Guidance?

Submit your transaction details for a preliminary assessment by our managing partner

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The Ann Arbor M&A Market

Ann Arbor's M&A market is uniquely driven by the University of Michigan's massive research enterprise ($1.6B+ in annual research spending), which generates a continuous pipeline of biotech, healthcare IT, and deep-tech spinoffs reaching acquisition maturity. The city has become Michigan's premier tech startup hub, with companies in autonomous vehicles (from the Mcity testing ground), AI/ML, medical devices, and SaaS emerging from the university's commercialization ecosystem. Ann Arbor's proximity to Detroit's automotive industry adds a layer of mobility-tech and connected vehicle deal activity.

Top M&A Sectors in Ann Arbor

  • Biotechnology & Life Sciences
  • Healthcare IT & Digital Health
  • Autonomous Vehicles & Mobility Tech
  • SaaS & Enterprise Software
  • Medical Devices & Diagnostics

Deal Environment

Ann Arbor's deal market is characterized by high-quality, IP-rich businesses that attract national strategic and financial buyers. Competition for proven biotech and health IT companies is intense, though earlier-stage spinoffs and services businesses offer more moderately priced entry points. The university's tech transfer office and local accelerators like Ann Arbor SPARK provide early visibility into emerging deal opportunities.

Why Acquire in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor offers access to University of Michigan's elite engineering, medical, and business talent at a fraction of Silicon Valley's cost, and the city consistently ranks among America's most educated metros. Acquiring here positions buyers in a self-reinforcing innovation ecosystem where university research, hospital system demand, and startup talent create compounding value.

Michigan Legal Considerations

Michigan's non-compete statute requires agreements to be 'reasonable' in duration, geographic scope, and type of activity restricted, and acquirers of university spinoffs should note that the University of Michigan retains certain IP rights through its technology transfer agreements, making thorough intellectual property due diligence essential for any acquisition with university-licensed technology.

Michigan Legal Considerations for Business Acquisition Law

Non-Compete Laws

Enforceable under statutory framework (MARA). Reformation available.

Filing Requirements

Entity mergers and conversions are filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. Annual reports are required. Certain regulated industries require separate filings.

Key Michigan Considerations

  • Michigan's automotive industry creates unique M&A considerations, including complex supply chain contracts, UAW labor agreements, and environmental liabilities at manufacturing sites
  • Michigan's Antitrust Reform Act provides a statutory framework for non-competes that differs from the common-law approaches of neighboring states
  • Michigan Renaissance Zone benefits (tax-free zones) may be relevant to acquisitions of businesses operating in designated areas

Guides and Resources

In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction

Sell-Side M&A: When and Why You Need Counsel

Key considerations for sellers navigating the M&A process with legal representation.

Read guide

M&A Due Diligence Checklist

A structured approach to legal, financial, and operational due diligence.

Read guide

LOI vs Purchase Agreement: Key Differences

Understanding the binding and non-binding elements of each document.

Read guide

Why M&A Deals Fail

Common deal-killers and how experienced counsel helps prevent them.

Read guide

Franchise Acquisition: FDD Review Guide

What buyers should look for in a Franchise Disclosure Document.

Read guide

Free M&A Tools for Your Business Acquisition Lawyer Process

Use these tools to prepare for your transaction. Professional analysis at your fingertips.

Buyer Readiness Assessment

Evaluate your readiness to acquire a business.

Use Tool →

Business Valuation Calculator

Understand valuation methods and multiples.

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Financing Calculator

Model SBA loans, seller notes, and deal financing.

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Related Services in Ann Arbor

Other Locations We Serve

Helpful Resources

Attorney perspective on business acquisition lawyer matters

Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner at Acquisition Stars
"If you don't qualify aggressively on the front end, what a terrible waste of time. The other party might not have actual funding, actual backing, actual intent. They're just using the deal as a way to gain free market information."
Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner On qualifying counterparties before due diligence (Leo Landaverde M&A Podcast)

15+ years of M&A and securities transaction experience Managing Partner on every engagement Admitted in Michigan, practicing nationwide

Reviewed by Alex Lubyansky on . Read full bio

Ready to Talk About Your Ann Arbor Deal?

Alex Lubyansky handles every engagement personally. Tell us about your transaction and we will let you know if there is a fit.

Request Engagement Assessment

Submit transaction details for review. We engage selectively with capitalized buyers and sellers.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

One attorney on every deal. Nationwide. 15+ years of M&A experience.