Buying a business is one of the highest-stakes decisions you will make. Our Short Hills business acquisition lawyers bring 15+ years of transaction experience and personal Managing Partner involvement to every deal, guiding buyers through acquisitions across Finance, Professional Services, 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 Short Hills 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 Short Hills 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 Jersey non-compete laws affect business acquisition law transactions?
Enforceable under common law if reasonable. New Jersey courts apply a three-pronged test from the Solari/Whitmyer cases: the restraint must protect a legitimate interest, must not impose an undue hardship on the employee, and must not injure the public. Courts will blue-pencil and reform overbroad covenants. The state has considered but not enacted legislation to ban non-competes.
What are the New Jersey tax considerations for buying a business?
New Jersey imposes an 11.5% corporate business tax on income over $10 million (9% on income under $1 million), making it one of the highest in the nation. The state also levies a separate minimum tax based on gross receipts. Pass-through entities can elect the Business Alternative Income Tax (BAIT). New Jersey requires combined reporting for unitary groups.
Does New Jersey have a bulk sales law that affects business acquisitions?
New Jersey retains its Bulk Sale provisions under the New Jersey Bulk Sale Law (N.J.S.A. 54:32B-22(c)) for tax purposes. Buyers must provide the Division of Taxation at least 10 business days' notice before a bulk sale and must withhold sufficient funds from the purchase price to cover the seller's tax liabilities, or obtain a letter of no further obligation.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Short Hills?
During your confidential initial consultation in Short Hills, we'll discuss your business acquisition law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to New Jersey, 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 Short Hills?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Short Hills. 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: Short Hills & 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 Short Hills
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 Jersey 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.
New Jersey Legal Considerations for Business Acquisition Law
Non-Compete Laws
Enforceable with three-pronged test. Reformation available.
Filing Requirements
Entity mergers require filing with the New Jersey Division of Revenue. The Division of Taxation requires 10 business days' advance notice of bulk sales (Form C-9600). Annual reports are required. Foreign entities must obtain a Certificate of Authority.
Key New Jersey Considerations
New Jersey's effective 11.5% corporate business tax rate on large businesses is among the highest in the country and significantly affects deal economics
The state's bulk sale notification requirement to the Division of Taxation is a tax-specific provision that survived even though UCC Article 6 was repealed
New Jersey's combined reporting requirement (adopted 2019) pulls affiliated entity income into the tax base, which can affect the tax cost of acquiring multi-entity targets
New Jersey Bar Authority
New Jersey State Bar Association. Voluntary bar. The Supreme Court of New Jersey handles attorney admission and discipline separately.
Business court: New Jersey Complex Business Litigation Program (established 2015) Statewide complex business litigation program handling high-value and complex commercial disputes. Operates in multiple vicinages including Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, and Union counties.
New Jersey M&A Market Context
New Jersey M&A is driven by pharmaceutical and life sciences (largest pharma cluster in the U.S. by employment), financial services, and logistics, with significant private equity activity proximate to New York City.
Watchpoints
Common Short Hills Business Acquisition Law Pitfalls
These are the items we see derail business acquisition law transactions in the Short Hills market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.
1
New Jersey non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure
State legal framework
Enforceable with three-pronged test. Reformation available.
"The conversation you're avoiding today becomes the lawsuit you're defending tomorrow."
2
New Jersey regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI
State statute
Securities regulated by New Jersey Bureau of Securities within the Division of Consumer Affairs (njconsumeraffairs.gov/bos). Blue Sky notice filings required for Reg D.
3
Common business acquisition law mistake from the field
From Alex Lubyansky
The seller isn't your enemy, but their interests aren't aligned with yours.
Guides and Resources
In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction
