Buying a business is one of the highest-stakes decisions you will make. Our Manhasset business acquisition lawyers bring 15+ years of transaction experience and personal Managing Partner involvement to every deal, guiding buyers through acquisitions across Finance, Healthcare, Real Estate 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 Manhasset 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 Manhasset 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 New York non-compete laws affect business acquisition law transactions?
Enforceable if reasonable in scope, duration (typically 1-2 years), and geographic area. Courts apply a three-pronged reasonableness test from the BDO Seidman line of cases. Non-competes must protect a legitimate business interest such as trade secrets or client relationships, must not impose an undue hardship, and must not be harmful to the public. Courts will partially enforce (blue-pencil) overbroad covenants.
What are the New York tax considerations for buying a business?
New York imposes a corporate franchise tax with rates up to 7.25% on business income, plus alternative bases (capital, fixed dollar minimum). The state requires combined reporting for unitary groups. New York City imposes its own General Corporation Tax (8.85%) and Unincorporated Business Tax (4%) on businesses operating within the five boroughs.
Does New York have a bulk sales law that affects business acquisitions?
New York repealed its Bulk Sales Act (UCC Article 6), but buyers face successor liability risk under state tax law. The Department of Taxation and Finance can hold acquirers liable for a seller's unpaid taxes if proper tax clearance certificates (Form AU-196.10) are not obtained before closing.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Manhasset?
During your confidential initial consultation in Manhasset, we'll discuss your business acquisition law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to New York, 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 Manhasset?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Manhasset. 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: Manhasset & the New York Metro
New York is the undisputed capital of M&A deal-making, home to the largest concentration of investment banks, private equity firms, and corporate acquirers in the world. Lower middle-market deals in the $1M-$50M range are driven by professional services consolidation, healthcare practice roll-ups, and technology company acquisitions. The city's dense business ecosystem creates fierce competition for quality targets, with PE-backed platforms actively seeking add-on acquisitions across the tri-state area.
Top M&A Sectors Near Manhasset
Professional Services
Healthcare
Technology
Financial Services
Media & Entertainment
Deal Environment
New York's deal flow is the highest in the nation, but competition from well-capitalized PE firms means sellers often receive multiple offers. Buyers need experienced counsel to structure competitive bids while protecting their downside.
Why Acquire in the New York Area
The New York metro area has over 200,000 businesses with employees, creating one of the deepest acquisition target pools in the country. The region's talent density and infrastructure make post-acquisition integration smoother than most markets.
New York Legal Considerations
New York's Bulk Sales Act (UCC Article 6) has been repealed, but buyers must still conduct thorough due diligence on successor liability under state tax law, as the Department of Taxation can hold buyers liable for a seller's unpaid taxes.
Local Market Context
Manhasset M&A Market
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA MSA · MSA population 20.1M
MSA Population (2024)
20.1M
U.S. Census Bureau
Top Industry Concentration
1 financial services and investment banking
2 media and entertainment
3 professional and business services
New York is the dominant US M&A market, anchored by financial services, private equity, and investment banking concentration on Wall Street. The metro drives the largest deal volumes by dollar value of any US city, with heavy mid-market and large-cap activity across financial services, media, technology, and real estate. Cross-border deal flow is substantial, given the metro's role as the primary gateway for international capital entering US markets.
Major Manhasset Employers and Deal Anchors
JPMorgan Chase
Goldman Sachs
Citigroup
Bloomberg
Verizon
NYU Langone Health
Transit and Logistics
JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty airports provide major international air connectivity. Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port on the East Coast. Dense transit infrastructure supports professional service concentration in Manhattan.
Recent Manhasset Deal Signal (2024-2025)
Private equity deal activity in the New York metro remained elevated in 2024-2025, with notable middle-market financial services and technology platform consolidations driven by firms headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.
Local Regulatory Notes for Business Acquisition Law
New York City imposes additional local business taxes; New York State has active antitrust enforcement posture from the AG office independent of federal review.
New York Legal Considerations for Business Acquisition Law
Non-Compete Laws
Enforceable with three-pronged reasonableness test
Filing Requirements
Entity mergers and conversions require filing with the New York Department of State. Tax clearance certificates are required for asset purchases (Form AU-196.10). New York City requires separate business filings for city-level taxes. Foreign entities must obtain authority to do business.
Key New York Considerations
New York City imposes its own General Corporation Tax (8.85%) and Unincorporated Business Tax (4%), effectively doubling the state-level tax burden for NYC-based businesses
Commercial rent tax applies to certain tenants in Manhattan below 96th Street, which can affect the valuation of acquired businesses with Manhattan leases
New York's Department of Financial Services (DFS) regulates financial services, insurance, and banking acquisitions with extensive review requirements
New York Bar Authority
New York State Bar Association. Voluntary bar. The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court handles attorney admission; NYSBA membership is voluntary.
Federal districts: S.D.N.Y., E.D.N.Y., N.D.N.Y., W.D.N.Y.
Business court: New York Supreme Court Commercial Division (established 1995) Established November 1995 following Chief Judge Judith Kaye task force. Commercial Division operates in New York County (Manhattan) and 10 other jurisdictions statewide including Nassau, Kings, Suffolk, Westchester, Albany, Erie, Monroe, Onondaga, Queens, and Richmond counties.
New York M&A Market Context
New York City is the top U.S. M&A market by deal volume, with Wall Street serving as the center of large-cap and private equity M&A transactions across all industries.
Watchpoints
Common Manhasset Business Acquisition Law Pitfalls
These are the items we see derail business acquisition law transactions in the Manhasset market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.
1
New York non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure
State legal framework
Enforceable with three-pronged reasonableness test
"When the other side returns a redlined definitive, you don't need to be an attorney to scan the document and see whether it's signal or noise. If the entire document is now red, you can see it visually. The quick scan is whether these are actually important points or whether this is grammatical nitpicking for the sake of grammatical nitpicking. The latter is a pretty big red flag pretty quickly. In a good transaction, the redlining focuses on risk allocation, earnouts, exclusivity. The structural points that matter to the client on either side. That's fair. That's fine. When you see the same point reraised three rounds later, you have to ask whether that's a memory problem or just another way to keep the meter running. Sometimes I wonder if the firms are working together to make sure it goes back and forth. I'm not part of that."
2
Manhasset local regulatory exposure
Local regulatory
New York City imposes additional local business taxes; New York State has active antitrust enforcement posture from the AG office independent of federal review.
3
New York regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI
State statute
Securities regulated by New York Attorney General Investor Protection Bureau under the Martin Act (General Business Law art. 23-A). The Martin Act gives the NYAG among the broadest securities enforcement powers of any state; Blue Sky notice filings required for Reg D. New York also has Bulk Sales Act (UCC Art. 6) implications for asset transactions.
Guides and Resources
In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction
Attorney perspective on business acquisition lawyer matters in Manhasset
"Buying a business is equally attractive right now, if not more attractive, than investing in more traditional means. A Vanguard index fund is a fantastic investment. It's stable. It's calm. It's predictable. Few fires, and you know what you'll get over the long haul. But for a certain personality type, acquisition gives you something an index fund can't... not just from a return perspective, but from a lifestyle one. Folks with a proper deal team and proper guidance are finding businesses, cash flowing them, and minimizing the time they spend running them over the long term. It's not perfect. It's not easy. It's not hands off. But it is manageable once you've developed your teeth in the field. That's why you're seeing people get into the space who traditionally wouldn't have done so."
Alex Lubyansky, Senior Counsel
On founder psychology (advisory) (Leo Landaverde M&A Podcast)
15+ years of M&A and securities transaction experience·Senior counsel on every engagement·Admitted in Michigan, practicing nationwide
