Seeking an experienced M&A attorney in Charleston? Our firm handles complex mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic transactions for companies across Aerospace, Tourism, Logistics, from middle-market deals to large corporate transactions.
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 mergers & acquisitions law work for buyers and sellers in Charleston and across the country. Here is what that looks like:
Mergers and acquisitions (buy-side and sell-side)
Due diligence and risk assessment
Purchase agreements and transaction documents
Asset purchases and stock purchases
Merger integration planning
Earnouts and contingent consideration
Representations and warranties
Post-closing disputes and adjustments
Who We Serve
We work best with people who know what they want and are ready to move:
Companies looking to acquire competitors or complementary businesses
Business owners planning to sell their companies
Private equity firms executing buy-side mandates
Companies facing unsolicited acquisition offers
Strategic buyers seeking bolt-on acquisitions
Family-owned businesses planning succession through sale
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 mergers & acquisitions law
1
Transaction Planning
We work with you to define deal objectives, identify targets or buyers, and develop an M&A strategy aligned with your business goals.
2
Due Diligence
Our team conducts comprehensive legal, financial, and operational due diligence to identify risks and opportunities.
3
Deal Structuring
We structure the transaction for optimal tax treatment, risk allocation, and regulatory compliance, whether as a stock purchase, asset purchase, or merger.
4
Negotiation & Documentation
We negotiate letters of intent, purchase agreements, and all transaction documents to protect your interests and facilitate a smooth closing.
5
Closing & Integration
We manage the closing process and provide post-closing support for integration, earnout disputes, and transition matters.
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 Charleston Engagement Assessment
Alex Lubyansky handles every mergers & acquisitions 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 Charleston clients
What does an M&A attorney do?
An M&A attorney advises clients on all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including transaction structuring, due diligence, contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, and closing. We represent buyers, sellers, and target companies in strategic transactions, private equity deals, and corporate restructurings.
How long does an M&A transaction take?
The timeline varies significantly based on transaction complexity, but typical M&A deals take 3-9 months from initial discussion to closing. Factors affecting timeline include due diligence scope, financing arrangements, regulatory approvals, and negotiation complexity.
Should I structure my acquisition as a stock purchase or asset purchase?
The choice depends on tax considerations, liability concerns, and transaction goals. Stock purchases are simpler but transfer all liabilities, while asset purchases allow selective acquisition of assets and liabilities but may trigger tax consequences. We analyze your specific situation to recommend the optimal structure.
What is due diligence in an M&A transaction?
Due diligence is the comprehensive investigation of a target company's legal, financial, operational, and commercial affairs. It helps identify risks, validate assumptions, inform purchase price, and shape deal terms. Thorough due diligence is essential for successful acquisitions.
How are M&A deals valued and priced?
Valuation methods include comparable company analysis, precedent transactions, discounted cash flow analysis, and asset-based valuation. Purchase price is negotiated based on valuation, market conditions, strategic value, and competitive dynamics. We work with financial advisors to ensure fair pricing.
How do South Carolina non-compete laws affect mergers & acquisitions law transactions?
Enforceable under common law if reasonable. South Carolina courts evaluate reasonableness based on the necessity to protect legitimate business interests, the restriction's scope, and the impact on the restricted party. Courts will blue-pencil overbroad covenants. South Carolina has been generally favorable to enforcement.
What are the South Carolina tax considerations for a business acquisition or sale?
South Carolina imposes a 5% corporate income tax. The state uses a three-factor apportionment formula with double-weighted sales (transitioning to single-factor sales). South Carolina offers significant tax incentives for job creation and capital investment through the Enterprise Zone Act and similar programs.
Does South Carolina have a bulk sales law that affects business acquisitions?
South Carolina has repealed UCC Article 6 (Bulk Sales). The South Carolina Department of Revenue may assert successor liability against asset purchasers for the seller's unpaid taxes. Buyers should obtain a tax clearance (Form C-268) before closing.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Charleston?
During your confidential initial consultation in Charleston, we'll discuss your mergers & acquisitions law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to South Carolina, 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 Charleston?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Charleston. Our managing partner handles mergers & acquisitions 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
Charleston Business Landscape
Key Industries:
Aerospace Tourism Logistics Healthcare Technology
South Carolina Legal Considerations for Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Non-Compete Laws
Enforceable with blue-pencil modification. Generally employer-friendly.
Filing Requirements
Entity mergers and conversions must be filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State. Annual reports are required. Tax clearance (Form C-268) is needed for asset purchases.
Key South Carolina Considerations
South Carolina's extensive tax incentive programs (Job Tax Credits, fee-in-lieu of property tax, Enterprise Zones) can represent significant value in manufacturing and industrial acquisitions
The state's port system (Port of Charleston) expansion creates regulatory and competitive considerations for logistics and import/export business acquisitions
South Carolina courts have been generally employer-friendly on non-compete enforcement, making the state comparatively favorable for buyers seeking to retain restrictive covenants
South Carolina Bar Authority
South Carolina Bar (mandatory unified bar). Unified/integrated bar. Membership required to practice law in South Carolina.
Business court: South Carolina Business Court (established 2007) Statewide business court with locations in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville. Pilot program began 2007, made permanent by Supreme Court order.
South Carolina M&A Market Context
South Carolina M&A reflects automotive and aerospace manufacturing (BMW, Boeing, Michelin facilities), and a growing technology sector in the Charleston-Columbia corridor.
Watchpoints
Common Charleston Mergers & Acquisitions Law Pitfalls
These are the items we see derail mergers & acquisitions law transactions in the Charleston market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.
1
South Carolina non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure
State legal framework
Enforceable with blue-pencil modification. Generally employer-friendly.
"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
South Carolina regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI
State statute
Securities regulated by South Carolina Attorney General Securities Division (scsecurities.org). Blue Sky notice filings required for Reg D.
3
Common mergers & acquisitions law mistake from the field
From Alex Lubyansky
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.
Guides and Resources
In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction
Attorney perspective on ma attorney matters in Charleston
"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
