Seeking an experienced M&A attorney in Des Moines? Our firm handles complex mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic transactions for companies across Insurance, Financial Services, Agribusiness, 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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 Iowa non-compete laws affect mergers & acquisitions law transactions?
Enforceable under common law if reasonable. Iowa courts consider the time, geographic scope, and scope of activity restrictions. Iowa law requires that non-competes be supported by adequate consideration, and continued employment alone may not suffice if the agreement is signed after initial hire. Courts may reform overbroad covenants.
What are the Iowa tax considerations for a business acquisition or sale?
Iowa significantly reformed its corporate income tax in 2022, moving to a flat 5.5% rate (to be further reduced to 3.9% by 2028 if revenue triggers are met). The state previously had among the highest corporate rates. Iowa uses single-factor sales apportionment. Iowa does not conform to all federal provisions and has its own depreciation schedules.
Does Iowa have a bulk sales law that affects business acquisitions?
Iowa has repealed UCC Article 6 (Bulk Sales). Iowa Code Section 422.52 permits the Department of Revenue to impose successor liability on asset purchasers for the seller's unpaid taxes. Buyers should obtain a tax clearance certificate before closing.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Des Moines?
During your confidential initial consultation in Des Moines, we'll discuss your mergers & acquisitions law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to Iowa, 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 Des Moines?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Des Moines. 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
Iowa Legal Considerations for Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Non-Compete Laws
Enforceable with reformation available. Consideration requirements apply.
Filing Requirements
Entity mergers and conversions must be filed with the Iowa Secretary of State. Annual biennial reports are required. Agricultural land acquisitions are subject to the Iowa Agricultural Areas Act and may require additional filings.
Key Iowa Considerations
Iowa law restricts corporate ownership of agricultural land (Iowa Code Chapter 9H), which must be considered when structuring acquisitions of farming and agribusiness operations
Iowa's corporate income tax reform (2022) is creating a gradually declining rate environment, which affects multi-year deal structures and earnout calculations
Iowa's insurance regulatory framework is robust, as the state is home to numerous insurance companies and requires detailed review of ownership changes
Iowa Bar Authority
Iowa State Bar Association. Voluntary bar. Iowa Supreme Court handles attorney admission separately.
Business court: Iowa District Court Business Specialty Court (Seventh Judicial District) (established 2013) Specialized business docket in the Seventh Judicial District (Linn County/Cedar Rapids area). Not a statewide standalone court.
Iowa M&A Market Context
Iowa M&A reflects its agricultural and food-processing base, with insurance and financial services (Des Moines) representing a significant secondary deal market.
Watchpoints
Common Des Moines Mergers & Acquisitions Law Pitfalls
These are the items we see derail mergers & acquisitions law transactions in the Des Moines market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.
1
Iowa non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure
State legal framework
Enforceable with reformation available. Consideration requirements apply.
"The seller isn't your enemy, but their interests aren't aligned with yours."
2
Iowa regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI
State statute
Securities regulated by Iowa Insurance Division Securities Bureau (iid.iowa.gov). Iowa follows the Uniform Securities Act of 2004; Blue Sky notice filings required for Reg D.
3
Common mergers & acquisitions law mistake from the field
From Alex Lubyansky
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.
Guides and Resources
In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction
