Indianapolis sellers operate in a market whose buyer pool is shaped by life sciences (Eli Lilly, Roche Diagnostics, the Purdue-adjacent biotech corridor), logistics (FedEx hub, the central US distribution economy), and a deep insurance and financial services cluster. On top of that, Indiana is one of the handful of states with active franchise registration through the Securities Division, and Indiana's tax and non-compete rules shape the closing mechanics. Our managing partner handles Indianapolis sell-side engagements directly. Submit the transaction details if you have a qualified buyer.
Share the basics. Alex reviews every inquiry personally.
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
What We Do
Alex Lubyansky handles business sale transaction law work for buyers and sellers in Indianapolis and across the country. Here is what that looks like:
Buy-side and sell-side legal representation for business sales
Purchase agreement drafting, review, and negotiation
Deal structuring for asset purchases and stock purchases
Due diligence management and risk assessment
Escrow, earnout, and contingent payment structuring
SBA loan coordination and lender-required documentation
Non-compete, employment, and transition agreement negotiation
Post-closing adjustments and dispute resolution
Who We Serve
We work best with people who know what they want and are ready to move:
Buyers and sellers in active business sale transactions
Business broker-referred clients who need transaction counsel
SBA-financed buyers and sellers needing compliant deal documentation
Partners buying out co-owners or selling their interest in a business
Entrepreneurs purchasing their first business
Business owners selling to employees, family members, or outside buyers
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 sale transaction law
1
Transaction Assessment
We review the proposed deal, understand your objectives (whether buying or selling), and develop a legal strategy tailored to your specific transaction and timeline.
2
Deal Structuring
We structure the transaction to optimize risk allocation, tax treatment, and operational continuity, whether as an asset purchase, stock purchase, or membership interest transfer.
3
Due Diligence
Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky oversees legal due diligence, identifying risks and opportunities that directly inform the purchase agreement and deal terms.
4
Agreement Negotiation
We draft or negotiate the purchase agreement and all ancillary documents, ensuring every term reflects your interests and addresses the specific risks in your deal.
5
Closing Coordination
We manage the closing checklist, coordinate with lenders, brokers, and opposing counsel, and ensure all conditions are met for a timely and clean closing.
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 Indianapolis Engagement Assessment
Alex Lubyansky handles every business sale transaction 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 Indianapolis clients
Does Indiana require bulk sales notice when I sell my business?
Indiana repealed its old Bulk Sales Act, so the traditional bulk sales notice process no longer applies. Successor liability for unpaid state taxes still applies, and buyers will request tax clearance from the Indiana Department of Revenue as part of diligence.
Are non-competes enforceable when I sell an Indiana business?
Non-competes tied to a business sale are generally enforceable in Indiana when reasonable in duration, geography, and scope of activity. Indiana courts have shown willingness to modify overbroad covenants in sale contexts, though narrow drafting at the outset is the stronger approach.
Is franchise registration an issue when I sell an Indianapolis business?
Indiana is a franchise registration state through the Indiana Securities Division. That regime typically applies to franchise offerings, not to standard business sales. If the business operates as a franchisor or has franchising-like arrangements, the registration regime shapes how those relationships transfer to a buyer and how ongoing disclosures are handled after closing.
What does a business sale attorney do?
A business sale attorney handles the legal side of buying or selling a business. This includes structuring the deal, conducting or managing due diligence, drafting and negotiating the purchase agreement, and coordinating the closing. At Acquisition Stars, Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky is personally involved in every transaction.
Do I need an attorney for a small business sale?
Yes. Even straightforward business sales involve purchase agreements, liability allocation, non-compete terms, and closing mechanics that carry real legal risk. The cost of experienced counsel is small compared to the cost of a poorly structured deal or a post-closing dispute that could have been prevented.
How much does a business sale attorney cost?
Legal fees depend on the size and complexity of the transaction. Acquisition Stars provides personal attention and 15+ years of M&A expertise with the managing partner on every deal. We discuss scope and structure during your initial engagement assessment.
Can you represent both the buyer and the seller?
No. Representing both sides in the same transaction creates a conflict of interest. We represent one party, either the buyer or the seller, and advocate exclusively for that client's interests throughout the deal.
How is Acquisition Stars different from a general business lawyer?
Our practice is focused exclusively on M&A transactions. Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky brings 15+ years of deal experience, which means we have seen and solved the issues that general practice attorneys encounter for the first time. You get specialized M&A counsel with the personal responsiveness of a boutique firm.
How do Indiana non-compete laws affect business sale transaction law transactions?
Enforceable under common law if reasonable. Indiana courts apply the "blue pencil" doctrine, allowing modification of overbroad restrictions. Indiana enacted a physician non-compete restriction (effective July 1, 2020) limiting enforcement against physicians. For other employees, reasonableness factors include time (typically 1-2 years), geography, and scope of restricted activity.
What are the Indiana tax considerations for selling a business?
Indiana imposes a flat 4.9% corporate income tax, one of the lower rates in the Midwest. The state uses single-factor sales apportionment with market-based sourcing. Indiana conforms to most federal tax provisions. No separate franchise tax applies.
Does Indiana have a bulk sales law that affects business acquisitions?
Indiana has repealed UCC Article 6 (Bulk Sales). The Indiana Department of Revenue may pursue successor liability claims against asset purchasers for the seller's unpaid taxes. Buyers should request a tax clearance letter (Form BC-100) before closing.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Indianapolis?
During your confidential initial consultation in Indianapolis, we'll discuss your business sale transaction law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to Indiana, 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 Indianapolis?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Indianapolis. Our managing partner handles business sale transaction 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
The Indianapolis M&A Market
Indianapolis is a major center for life sciences and pharmaceutical M&A, anchored by Eli Lilly's massive presence and a network of contract research organizations, medical device companies, and health tech startups. The city's logistics sector, fueled by its position as the 'Crossroads of America' with more interstate highways than any other U.S. city, generates significant deal activity in trucking, warehousing, and supply chain services. Motorsports engineering and agribusiness round out a distinctive mid-market M&A landscape.
Top M&A Sectors in Indianapolis
Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals
Logistics & Transportation
Insurance & Financial Services
Agribusiness & Food Processing
Healthcare IT & SaaS
Deal Environment
Indianapolis offers robust deal flow in the $2M-$25M range, with many family-owned logistics and manufacturing businesses approaching generational transitions. The market is moderately competitive, with local firms like Hammond Kennedy Whitney and Centerfield Capital competing for quality deals alongside national PE platforms building Midwest portfolios.
Why Acquire in Indianapolis
Indiana's pro-business tax environment, including no tax on inventory for manufacturers and distributors, makes Indianapolis acquisitions financially attractive from day one. The metro's central location enables next-day ground shipping to 75% of the U.S. population, a compelling logistics advantage for distribution-oriented roll-ups.
Indiana Legal Considerations
Indiana has adopted the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act with business-friendly provisions, and the state's non-compete law was updated in 2016 to require employers to provide independent consideration for existing employees, which directly affects workforce retention assumptions in acquisition models.
Indianapolis M&A Market Insight
Indiana is a franchise registration state through the Indiana Securities Division, which matters for franchise-adjacent businesses but typically doesn't affect a standard business sale. Indiana repealed its old Bulk Sales Act, simplifying asset-sale mechanics, though successor liability for unpaid state taxes still applies and buyers will request tax clearance from the Indiana Department of Revenue. Indiana non-compete law enforces covenants tied to a business sale when reasonable in duration, geography, and scope of activity, with Indiana courts generally willing to modify overbroad covenants in sale contexts. Indianapolis's buyer pool is shaped by three concentrated ecosystems. The Eli Lilly and Roche Diagnostics orbit, combined with the broader life sciences corridor, produces buyers who run institutional IP, FDA, and regulatory diligence. The FedEx hub at the Indianapolis International Airport and the broader logistics network produce buyers who run customer contract assignability and change-of-control diligence. The insurance and financial services cluster produces regulated buyers with producer licensing, E&O, and carrier appointment diligence.
Common Deal Scenarios in Indianapolis
1
Life Sciences or Medical Device Sale with FDA and IP Diligence
Buyers of life sciences businesses in the Lilly and Roche orbit run extended diligence on FDA registration status, quality system documentation, customer audit history, IP chain-of-title, and regulatory compliance. Gaps in employee invention assignments or open FDA findings become rep exceptions or indemnity demands. Sellers should close known findings and organize IP documentation before the data room opens.
2
Logistics or Warehousing Sale with Customer Contract Diligence
Logistics businesses tied to the FedEx hub and the central US distribution economy face diligence on customer contract assignability, change-of-control clauses with major shippers, real estate lease terms, and subcontracted carrier relationships. A sale can stall when a key customer holds a consent right the seller forgot about. Pulling every major customer contract before the data room opens is the highest-impact pre-sale step.
3
Insurance Agency or Financial Services Sale
Buyers in the Indianapolis insurance and financial services cluster run institutional diligence on producer licensing, E&O claims history, carrier appointments, book retention, and customer data privacy. Purchase agreements tend to include structured earnouts tied to book retention. Sellers should negotiate earnout mechanics that reflect natural attrition rather than buyer-controlled definitions.
Why Indianapolis for M&A
Indianapolis concentrates life sciences, logistics, and insurance in ways that each produce distinct buyer playbooks. Sellers who organize sector-specific diligence upfront, draft non-competes carefully, and plan for Indiana's tax clearance process preserve value that less-prepared sellers concede during the process.
Indiana Legal Considerations for Business Sale Transaction Law
Non-Compete Laws
Enforceable with blue-pencil modification. Physician non-competes restricted.
Filing Requirements
Entity mergers and conversions require filing with the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division. Annual business entity reports are required. Regulated industry acquisitions (gaming, utilities, insurance) require separate agency approvals.
Key Indiana Considerations
Indiana's gaming industry is heavily regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission, which must approve any change of control of a gaming license holder
Indiana's low corporate income tax rate (4.9%) and lack of a separate franchise tax make it a cost-effective jurisdiction for certain deal structures
Indiana law restricts physician non-competes, which is particularly relevant for healthcare practice acquisitions
Indiana Bar Authority
Indiana State Bar Association. Voluntary bar. Indiana Supreme Court handles attorney admission separately.
Business court: Indiana Commercial Court (established 2016) Indiana Supreme Court established a pilot commercial court program; business courts operate in Marion County (Indianapolis) and other counties.
Indiana M&A Market Context
Indiana M&A clusters around Indianapolis in life sciences and healthcare services, with secondary deal flow in manufacturing and logistics sectors.
Recent Indiana Legislative Changes (2024-2025)
[object Object]
Watchpoints
Common Indianapolis Business Sale Transaction Law Pitfalls
These are the items we see derail business sale transaction law transactions in the Indianapolis market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.
1
Recent Indiana statutory change buyers and sellers miss
State statute
[object Object]
2
Indiana non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure
State legal framework
Enforceable with blue-pencil modification. Physician non-competes restricted.
"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."
3
Indiana regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI
State statute
Securities regulated by Indiana Secretary of State Securities Division (in.gov/sos/securities). Indiana 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
