Buying a business is one of the highest-stakes decisions you will make. Our Celebration business acquisition lawyers bring 15+ years of transaction experience and personal Managing Partner involvement to every deal, guiding buyers through acquisitions across Hospitality, Technology, Healthcare 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 Celebration 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 Celebration 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 Florida non-compete laws affect business acquisition law transactions?
Florida has one of the strongest non-compete enforcement frameworks in the country under Florida Statute Section 542.335. Courts presume reasonable any restraint of six months or less, apply a rebuttable presumption of reasonableness for restraints up to two years, and presume unreasonable any restraint exceeding two years. Courts may not consider the hardship to the restricted party when deciding enforceability. Blue-penciling and reformation are expressly authorized.
What are the Florida tax considerations for buying a business?
Florida imposes a 5.5% corporate income tax but has no personal income tax. This makes Florida particularly attractive for S-corp and LLC acquisitions, as pass-through income to Florida-resident owners avoids state income taxation. Asset purchases benefit from Florida's favorable treatment of intangible property (no intangible tax since 2007).
Does Florida have a bulk sales law that affects business acquisitions?
Florida has repealed UCC Article 6 (Bulk Sales). However, Florida Statute Section 212.10 imposes successor liability on buyers of business assets for the seller's unpaid sales tax. Buyers must request a tax clearance letter from the Florida Department of Revenue. Closing without a clearance letter exposes the buyer to the seller's tax debt, up to the purchase price.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Celebration?
During your confidential initial consultation in Celebration, we'll discuss your business acquisition law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to Florida, 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 Celebration?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Celebration. 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: Celebration & the Orlando Metro
Orlando's M&A landscape extends far beyond tourism, with significant deal activity in defense simulation and training (the region hosts more simulation companies than anywhere in the world), healthcare, and technology. The I-4 corridor's growth has created acquisition opportunities in construction services, hospitality management, and real estate technology. Orlando's position as the theme park capital drives a massive ecosystem of entertainment technology, food service, and staffing businesses.
Top M&A Sectors Near Celebration
Simulation & Defense Training
Hospitality & Tourism
Healthcare
Construction Services
Entertainment Technology
Deal Environment
Orlando's diversified economy provides consistent deal flow even when tourism fluctuates. The defense simulation cluster creates highly specialized acquisition targets with significant government contract revenue and IP portfolios.
Why Acquire in the Orlando Area
Central Florida adds over 50,000 residents annually, and the region's diverse economy has reduced its dependence on tourism. Orlando's lower operating costs compared to South Florida, combined with strong population growth, create favorable conditions for acquirers.
Florida Legal Considerations
Florida's favorable non-compete enforcement, combined with no state income tax, makes Orlando particularly attractive for acquirers who need to retain key employees and protect customer relationships post-acquisition.
Local Market Context
Celebration M&A Market
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL MSA · MSA population 2.8M
MSA Population (2024)
2.8M
U.S. Census Bureau
Top Industry Concentration
1 tourism and hospitality
2 simulation and defense technology
3 healthcare
Orlando's economy is anchored by tourism and hospitality, simulation and defense technology, and healthcare. Walt Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld create a hospitality and entertainment M&A sub-market focused on hotel, restaurant, and attraction acquisitions. The metro also has a significant defense simulation and modeling cluster (the world's largest concentration of simulation technology firms) near the UCF Research Park, which generates defense contractor M&A activity.
Major Celebration Employers and Deal Anchors
Walt Disney World
Universal Orlando
Lockheed Martin (simulation)
Orlando Health
AdventHealth
Darden Restaurants
Transit and Logistics
Orlando International Airport is a major domestic and international tourist gateway and is undergoing significant expansion. SunRail regional rail serves commuters. The metro's logistics infrastructure supports tourism supply chain distribution.
Recent Celebration Deal Signal (2024-2025)
No verified 2024-2025 metro-specific deal signal found. Orlando's hospitality sector resumed robust performance post-pandemic and represented an active investment target market, but specific company-level M&A transactions at the metro level were not surfaced in research.
Local Regulatory Notes for Business Acquisition Law
Florida OFR handles securities. No unusual Orange County or City of Orlando restrictions on business transfers.
Florida Legal Considerations for Business Acquisition Law
Non-Compete Laws
Strongly enforced under statutory framework (Section 542.335). Hardship to employee not considered.
Filing Requirements
Entity mergers, conversions, and dissolutions require filing with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). Bulk asset purchasers must obtain a clearance letter from the Department of Revenue. Professional license transfers require separate filings with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Key Florida Considerations
Florida's non-compete statute expressly prohibits courts from considering the hardship to the restricted party, making it one of the most employer-friendly non-compete regimes in the country
Florida has no personal income tax, which significantly affects deal structure and makes pass-through entity acquisitions (S-corps, LLCs) particularly tax-efficient for Florida-resident buyers
Florida's homestead exemption (unlimited value, subject to acreage limits) can complicate personal guarantees and indemnification provisions in acquisition agreements involving individual sellers
Florida Bar Authority
The Florida Bar (mandatory unified bar). Unified/integrated bar. Membership required to practice law in Florida.
Federal districts: N.D. Fla., M.D. Fla., S.D. Fla.
Business court: Florida Circuit Court Business Courts (multiple counties) (established 2003) Specialized business court divisions operate in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough (Tampa), and Orange (Orlando) counties. Florida Statute sec. 542.335 governs restrictive covenants and is nationally notable for its pro-enforcement stance.
Florida M&A Market Context
Florida is a major lower-middle-market M&A state, with Miami as an international deal-flow hub and Tampa-Orlando as domestic healthcare and distribution transaction centers.
Watchpoints
Common Celebration Business Acquisition Law Pitfalls
These are the items we see derail business acquisition law transactions in the Celebration market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.
1
Florida non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure
State legal framework
Strongly enforced under statutory framework (Section 542.335). Hardship to employee not considered.
"Your lawyer might help you close the deal. But if they're not there to help you realize its value afterward, you're leaving money on the table."
2
Celebration local regulatory exposure
Local regulatory
Florida OFR handles securities. No unusual Orange County or City of Orlando restrictions on business transfers.
3
Florida regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI
State statute
Securities regulated by Florida Office of Financial Regulation (flofr.gov). Florida follows a comprehensive securities act; Blue Sky notice filings required for Reg D. Florida is a significant enforcement state for unregistered offerings.
Guides and Resources
In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction
Attorney perspective on business acquisition lawyer matters in Celebration
"Elite transactions require integrated teams where everyone understands the shared objective, their specific role, how their work affects others, and the overall strategy."
Alex Lubyansky, Senior Counsel
On advisor dynamics (advisory) (Alex LinkedIn Published (Notion library))
15+ years of M&A and securities transaction experience·Senior counsel on every engagement·Admitted in Michigan, practicing nationwide