Buying a business is one of the highest-stakes decisions you will make. Our Buckhead business acquisition lawyers bring 15+ years of transaction experience and personal Managing Partner involvement to every deal, guiding buyers through acquisitions across Finance, Real Estate, Technology with the strategic precision and speed your timeline demands.
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
Tell us what you are working on. We respond within one business day.
Submission Received
Your transaction details are under review. If there is alignment, we will be in touch.
Meanwhile, feel free to call us directly at (248) 266-2790
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.
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 Buckhead 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.
Submission Received
Your transaction details are under review. If there is alignment, we will be in touch.
Meanwhile, feel free to call us directly at (248) 266-2790
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 Buckhead 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 Georgia non-compete laws affect business acquisition law transactions?
Enforceable under the Georgia Restrictive Covenants Act (O.C.G.A. Section 13-8-50 et seq.), enacted in 2011 via constitutional amendment. The Act overturned decades of hostile case law and now permits blue-penciling. Covenants must be reasonable in time, geography, and scope. Non-competes in connection with the sale of a business are given broader latitude than employment-based covenants.
What are the Georgia tax considerations for buying a business?
Georgia imposes a flat 5.39% corporate income tax (reduced from 5.75% under recent legislation). The state uses single-factor sales apportionment with market-based sourcing. Georgia conforms to most federal tax provisions, including Section 338(h)(10) elections. Film tax credits are transferable and can be relevant when acquiring entertainment industry businesses.
Does Georgia have a bulk sales law that affects business acquisitions?
Georgia has repealed UCC Article 6 (Bulk Sales). Buyers should obtain a tax clearance certificate from the Georgia Department of Revenue before closing asset purchases, as successor liability for the seller's unpaid withholding and sales taxes can attach.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Buckhead?
During your confidential initial consultation in Buckhead, we'll discuss your business acquisition law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to Georgia, 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 Buckhead?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Buckhead. 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
Submit transaction details and Alex will respond directly.
Submission Received
Your transaction details are under review. If there is alignment, we will be in touch.
Meanwhile, feel free to call us directly at (248) 266-2790
M&A Market: Buckhead & the Atlanta Metro
Atlanta is the business capital of the Southeast, with M&A activity driven by logistics (home of UPS and Delta), financial technology (NCR, Fiserv), and healthcare. The city's position as a transportation hub creates unique opportunities in distribution, supply chain, and franchise businesses. Atlanta's robust Black business community adds diversity to the deal pipeline not seen in most markets.
Top M&A Sectors Near Buckhead
Logistics & Supply Chain
Financial Technology
Healthcare
Franchise Operations
Film & Entertainment
Deal Environment
Atlanta offers strong deal flow at valuations below the Northeast corridor. The region's rapid population growth and business formation rate create a steady supply of acquisition targets across all sectors.
Why Acquire in the Atlanta Area
Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport (the world's busiest) makes it the most accessible city in the US - a strategic advantage for acquirers building multi-location platforms that require frequent travel between portfolio companies.
Georgia Legal Considerations
Georgia enforces non-compete agreements under its 2011 Restrictive Covenants Act, which provides clearer standards than the prior common law framework - courts can now 'blue pencil' overly broad restrictions rather than voiding them entirely.
Local Market Context
Buckhead M&A Market
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA MSA · MSA population 6.3M
MSA Population (2024)
6.3M
U.S. Census Bureau
Top Industry Concentration
1 financial technology and payments
2 logistics and supply chain
3 media and entertainment production
Atlanta is the Southeast's dominant business hub and an increasingly important national M&A market. The metro has built particular depth in fintech and payments technology, logistics and supply chain, and media. Atlanta's role as a film and television production center adds an entertainment M&A layer. The city's position as the Southeast gateway for corporate headquarters drives consistent mid-market deal flow across professional services and technology sectors.
Major Buckhead Employers and Deal Anchors
Delta Air Lines
Coca-Cola
Home Depot
NCR Voyix
Global Payments
WellStar Health System
Transit and Logistics
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport by passenger volume. Atlanta is a major Southeast distribution hub at the intersection of I-75, I-85, and I-20.
Recent Buckhead Deal Signal (2024-2025)
Atlanta's fintech and payments sector saw continued consolidation through 2024, building on the metro's established reputation as a global payments processing hub. Global Payments and NCR Voyix restructuring activity generated downstream deal flow.
Local Regulatory Notes for Business Acquisition Law
Georgia Secretary of State regulates securities. No notable city-level business transfer taxes or unusual local rules beyond state-level requirements.
Georgia Legal Considerations for Business Acquisition Law
Non-Compete Laws
Enforceable under 2011 statutory framework. Blue-pencil available.
Filing Requirements
Entity mergers and conversions are filed with the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division. Annual registrations are required. Professional license transfers require separate filings with the relevant Georgia licensing board.
Key Georgia Considerations
Georgia's 2011 constitutional amendment and Restrictive Covenants Act dramatically changed non-compete enforceability, making pre-2011 Georgia case law unreliable for assessing existing covenants in target companies
Georgia's transferable film and entertainment tax credits can represent significant value in acquisitions of qualifying businesses
The state's port system (Port of Savannah) creates opportunities and regulatory considerations for acquisitions of logistics and import/export businesses
Georgia Bar Authority
State Bar of Georgia (mandatory unified bar). Unified/integrated bar. Membership required to practice law in Georgia.
Business court: Georgia State-wide Business Court (established 2020) Constitutional amendment approved November 2018; enabling legislation HB 239 passed 2019; court became operational August 3, 2020. Handles complex commercial matters with statewide jurisdiction. Georgia O.C.G.A. sec. 13-8-50 governs restrictive covenants.
Georgia M&A Market Context
Metro Atlanta is Georgia's M&A engine, with concentrations in technology, logistics, financial technology, and healthcare services transactions.
Watchpoints
Common Buckhead Business Acquisition Law Pitfalls
These are the items we see derail business acquisition law transactions in the Buckhead market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.
1
Georgia non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure
State legal framework
Enforceable under 2011 statutory framework. Blue-pencil available.
"The longer a deal drags, the worse it gets. Deal fatigue is real. Even when both parties agreed to something early on, if dates slip and deadlines slip, human nature takes over. At some point one side goes back to the internal drawing board and decides they don't want to be part of it anymore. I usually find this to be symptomatic of a poor process on the front end. Not malice. Not negative intent. Not someone running up fees. Just poor alignment, poor qualification, poor structuring at the start of the engagement. Once that's the foundation, every missed date compounds. The fix isn't more negotiation in the middle. The fix is doing better qualification before the deal team is even hired."
2
Buckhead local regulatory exposure
Local regulatory
Georgia Secretary of State regulates securities. No notable city-level business transfer taxes or unusual local rules beyond state-level requirements.
3
Georgia regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI
State statute
Securities regulated by Georgia Secretary of State Securities Division (sos.ga.gov/securities). Georgia follows the Uniform Securities Act; Blue Sky notice filings required for Reg D.
Guides and Resources
In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction
