Going Public Attorney

By Managing Partner Last updated

IPO & Going Public Law representation for buyers, sellers, and operators nationwide.

Donald Hateley serves as Of Counsel to Acquisition Stars and handles the securities law work. Alex Lubyansky leads the M&A work, with an associate supporting the engagement.

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Donald Hateley, Of Counsel for securities law at Acquisition Stars

Donald Hateley

Of Counsel, Securities Law | Acquisition Stars

Donald Hateley serves as Of Counsel to Acquisition Stars for securities law matters. His background includes advising public and private companies on securities transactions, corporate finance, and corporate governance, including public and private equity and debt financings. Admitted to the California bar in 1993, he is a graduate of the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and Southwestern Law School.

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Direct Answer

A going public attorney advises companies preparing for a public listing, whether through a traditional IPO, a direct listing, a SPAC combination, or a reverse merger. The work includes evaluating which path fits the company's size and timeline, preparing registration statements, and building the corporate governance structure public markets expect. Acquisition Stars advises companies and their boards on the M&A side of this evaluation, including SPAC and reverse merger structuring, and works with securities counsel on the registration statements and filings that follow.

Why a Going Public Attorney Matters

Companies preparing to go public often assume the traditional IPO is the only route, when a direct listing, SPAC combination, or reverse merger may fit their timeline, size, or cost tolerance better. Choosing the wrong path, or choosing the right path without the governance and reporting infrastructure a public company needs, can slow the process or create compliance problems after listing. A going public attorney who has worked more than one of these structures can help a board weigh the tradeoffs honestly before committing to a path that is hard to reverse once underway.

What We Do

  • M&A structuring and negotiation of SPAC business combinations
  • M&A structuring and negotiation of reverse mergers and shell company transactions
  • Coordination with securities counsel on traditional IPOs and underwritten offerings
  • Coordination with securities counsel on direct listings and direct IPOs
  • Coordination with securities counsel on OTCQB and OTCQX listings
  • Coordination with securities counsel on Regulation A Tier 2 offerings (mini-IPOs)
  • Coordination with securities counsel on exchange listing applications (NYSE, NASDAQ)
  • Coordination with securities counsel on corporate governance and board structuring for public company readiness

Who We Serve

  • Growth companies ready for public markets
  • Private equity-backed portfolio companies
  • Mature private companies seeking liquidity
  • Foreign companies seeking U.S. listings
  • Pre-IPO companies building infrastructure
  • Companies considering alternatives to traditional IPOs
Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner at Acquisition Stars
"The hardest part of any ipo & going public law engagement is not the documents. It is reading the relationship across the table early enough to structure around it. By the time the purchase agreement is on the table, half the meaningful negotiating leverage is already gone."
Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner On ipo & going public law structuring

M&A counsel since 2013 Senior counsel on every engagement Admitted in Michigan, practicing nationwide

Reviewed by Alex Lubyansky on . Read full bio

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?"

Ask how the engagement is scoped, what is included, and what factors drive cost increases. Defined scope with a retainer gives the clearest cost picture.

Going Public Attorney Locations We Serve

Additional Markets

Cincinnati

Service Areas by State

Browse Going Public Attorney service areas by state. Each state page lists all cities and suburbs we serve in that state, plus the state-specific legal framework that affects ipo & going public law transactions there.

California
63 locations
Michigan
33 locations
New York
7 locations
Ohio
45 locations
Virginia
19 locations
Washington
11 locations

Related M&A and Securities Services

Acquisition Stars handles M&A transactions nationwide and works with securities counsel on securities matters. Alex Lubyansky leads every M&A engagement.

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Going Public Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions

What does Acquisition Stars handle for ipo & going public law matters?

Donald Hateley serves as Of Counsel to Acquisition Stars and handles the securities law work. Alex Lubyansky leads the M&A work, with an associate supporting the engagement.

Who does Acquisition Stars typically represent in ipo & going public law engagements?

The firm represents growth companies ready for public markets, private equity-backed portfolio companies, mature private companies seeking liquidity, along with other parties involved in mid-market and lower-middle-market transactions. Engagements range from single-buyer acquisitions to multi-party recapitalizations.

Does the firm represent clients outside Michigan?

Yes. While the firm office is in Novi, Michigan, Alex Lubyansky represents clients nationwide on M&A transactions. Most engagements involve out-of-state buyers, sellers, or target companies. The firm regularly admits pro hac vice in other states when matters require it.

Who will work on my deal?

Donald Hateley serves as Of Counsel to Acquisition Stars and handles the securities law work. Alex Lubyansky leads the M&A work, with an associate supporting the engagement.

How does the firm price ipo & going public law engagements?

Pricing varies with deal size, complexity, and timeline, so Acquisition Stars does not publish a fee schedule. After a brief initial conversation about the deal specifics, the firm provides a written engagement scope, typically as a bundled engagement or with a not-to-exceed budget, so clients can plan the matter with confidence.

Ready to Discuss Your IPO & Going Public Law Engagement?

Donald Hateley serves as Of Counsel to Acquisition Stars and handles the securities law work. Alex Lubyansky leads the M&A work, with an associate supporting the engagement.

M&A counsel since 2013. Nationwide practice. LOI through closing.

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We review every transaction inquiry within one business day.

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