Securities Lawyer • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Securities Lawyer in Philadelphia

By · Managing Partner
Last updated

Looking for an experienced securities lawyer in Philadelphia? Our firm specializes in complex securities transactions, SEC compliance, public offerings, and regulatory matters for companies across Healthcare, Biotech, Finance.

Selective M&A Practice
Personal Attention
Senior Counsel on Every Deal

Talk to Alex About Your Philadelphia Transaction

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What We Do

Alex Lubyansky handles securities law work for buyers and sellers in Philadelphia and across the country. Here is what that looks like:

  • SEC registration statements and compliance filings
  • Public offerings (IPOs, direct listings, SPACs)
  • Private placements and Regulation D offerings
  • Regulation A and Regulation Crowdfunding
  • Blue sky compliance and state securities laws
  • Securities litigation defense
  • Corporate governance and reporting obligations
  • Insider trading and Section 16 compliance

Who We Serve

We work best with people who know what they want and are ready to move:

  • Companies planning to go public
  • Private companies raising capital
  • Public companies with ongoing SEC obligations
  • Startups and growth-stage companies
  • Investment funds and advisors
  • Directors and officers facing securities issues

See If Your Deal Is a Fit

Tell us what you are working on. We respond within one business day.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

Our Process

A structured, methodical approach to securities law

1

Initial Consultation

We discuss your securities law needs, review your current situation, and outline potential strategies and timelines.

2

Due Diligence & Analysis

Our team conducts thorough due diligence of your corporate structure, financial statements, and compliance history.

3

Strategy Development

We develop a customized securities strategy tailored to your business goals, whether it's going public, raising capital, or maintaining compliance.

4

Execution & Filing

We prepare and file all necessary documentation with the SEC, state regulators, and exchanges, managing the entire process.

5

Ongoing Support

After the transaction closes, we provide continued support for ongoing compliance, reporting, and corporate governance matters.

What Happens After You Submit

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 Philadelphia Engagement Assessment

Alex Lubyansky handles every securities 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.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

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 Philadelphia clients

What does a securities lawyer do?
A securities lawyer advises companies on all aspects of securities law, including public offerings, private placements, SEC compliance, securities litigation, and regulatory investigations. We help companies navigate complex federal and state securities regulations to raise capital, go public, and maintain ongoing compliance.
When should I hire a securities lawyer?
You should engage a securities lawyer whenever you're planning to raise capital, considering going public, facing SEC compliance issues, or dealing with securities litigation. Early involvement allows us to structure transactions properly and avoid costly mistakes.
What is the process for going public?
Going public involves preparing registration statements, completing financial audits, implementing corporate governance structures, conducting due diligence, filing with the SEC, and coordinating with underwriters and exchanges. The process typically takes 6-12 months depending on the complexity and readiness of your company.
How do I know if my company is ready to go public?
Companies ready to go public typically have strong financial performance, audited financials, solid corporate governance, experienced management, a compelling growth story, and the ability to meet ongoing reporting obligations. We can assess your readiness during an initial consultation.
What are the alternatives to a traditional IPO?
Alternatives include direct listings, SPAC mergers, reverse mergers, Regulation A offerings, and private placements under Regulation D. Each option has different requirements, costs, and benefits. We can help you evaluate which path is best for your situation.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Philadelphia?
During your confidential initial consultation in Philadelphia, we'll discuss your securities law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to Pennsylvania, 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 Philadelphia?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Philadelphia. Our managing partner handles securities 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

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Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

The Philadelphia M&A Market

Philadelphia's M&A market is anchored by healthcare (home to more medical schools than any other US city), pharmaceutical manufacturing, and financial services. The region's strength in cell and gene therapy - centered around the University of Pennsylvania and CHOP - creates cutting-edge biotech acquisition targets. The city's industrial legacy means a deep pool of established manufacturing and distribution businesses available for acquisition.

Top M&A Sectors in Philadelphia

  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
  • Financial Services
  • Education
  • Industrial Manufacturing

Deal Environment

Philadelphia offers access to high-quality targets at valuations 15-25% below comparable New York businesses, making it attractive for PE firms and strategic acquirers seeking value. The region's aging business owner demographics suggest accelerating deal flow in the coming years.

Why Acquire in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's location between New York and Washington DC, combined with significantly lower operating costs, makes acquired businesses well-positioned for growth across the entire Northeast corridor.

Pennsylvania Legal Considerations

Pennsylvania does not have a specific non-compete statute - courts evaluate reasonableness on a case-by-case basis using common law standards, and the state's Bulk Sales Act has been repealed, simplifying asset purchase transactions.

Local Market Context

Philadelphia M&A Market

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA · MSA population 6.2M

MSA Population (2024)

6.2M

U.S. Census Bureau

Top Industry Concentration

  1. 1 life sciences and pharmaceuticals
  2. 2 healthcare systems
  3. 3 financial services

Philadelphia's M&A market is anchored by life sciences and pharmaceuticals, financial services, and healthcare systems. The metro is home to a large concentration of pharmaceutical and biotech firms, making it one of the most active life sciences M&A markets outside of Boston and San Francisco. Wilmington, Delaware's presence within the MSA adds a corporate domicile dimension, as many companies incorporated in Delaware are managed from the Philadelphia metro.

Major Philadelphia Employers and Deal Anchors

  • Comcast
  • Jefferson Health
  • Penn Medicine
  • AmerisourceBergen (Cencora)
  • GSK (US HQ)
  • Lincoln Financial

Transit and Logistics

Philadelphia International Airport serves the metro. The Port of Philadelphia handles bulk cargo. The metro sits at the midpoint of the Northeast Corridor Amtrak rail line between New York and Washington.

Recent Philadelphia Deal Signal (2024-2025)

Life sciences consolidation remained active in the Philadelphia metro through 2024, with biotech and specialty pharmaceutical acquisitions by large pharma buyers a consistent theme. Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) continued its acquisition strategy in pharmaceutical distribution.

Source (accessed 2026-04-27)

Local Regulatory Notes for Securities Law

Pennsylvania Securities Commission oversees Blue Sky filings. Delaware corporate law applies to most M&A transactions regardless of where parties are physically located, given Delaware incorporation prevalence.

Pennsylvania Legal Considerations for Securities Law

Non-Compete Laws

Enforceable with reasonableness test. Reformation available. Continued employment is sufficient consideration.

Filing Requirements

Entity mergers and conversions must be filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State. Tax clearance certificates (from the Department of Revenue and Department of Labor & Industry) are required for asset purchases. Annual reports are required for foreign entities (decennial reports for domestic corporations).

Key Pennsylvania Considerations

  • Pennsylvania's CNIT rate of 8.99% is among the highest in the nation, though the phase-down to 4.99% by 2031 will significantly improve competitiveness and should be factored into multi-year deal models
  • Philadelphia imposes its own Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) with a gross receipts component (0.1415%) and net income component (5.99%), creating a significant added tax for Philadelphia-based businesses
  • Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zones offer substantial tax abatements that can be highly valuable in acquisitions of businesses operating in designated areas

Pennsylvania Bar Authority

Pennsylvania Bar Association. Voluntary bar. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court handles attorney admission separately via the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners.

Bar association website

Pennsylvania Federal and Business Courts

Federal districts: E.D. Pa., M.D. Pa., W.D. Pa.

Business court: Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas Commerce Case Management Program (established 2000) Commerce programs operate in Philadelphia County (first commerce program court) and Allegheny County (Pittsburgh). Handles complex commercial and business disputes.

Pennsylvania M&A Market Context

Pennsylvania M&A is concentrated in Philadelphia (pharmaceuticals, financial services, healthcare) and Pittsburgh (technology, healthcare, energy), with significant mid-market deal activity statewide.

Watchpoints

Common Philadelphia Securities Law Pitfalls

These are the items we see derail securities law transactions in the Philadelphia market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.

1

Pennsylvania non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure

State legal framework

Enforceable with reasonableness test. Reformation available. Continued employment is sufficient consideration.

"Founders get excited about the check amount and focus on valuation headlines while the fine print gets glossed over."
Alex Lubyansky · Alex LinkedIn Published (Notion library)
2

Philadelphia local regulatory exposure

Local regulatory

Pennsylvania Securities Commission oversees Blue Sky filings. Delaware corporate law applies to most M&A transactions regardless of where parties are physically located, given Delaware incorporation prevalence.

3

Pennsylvania regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI

State statute

Securities regulated by Pennsylvania Securities Commission (psc.pa.gov). Pennsylvania follows a comprehensive securities act with merit review authority for certain public offerings; Blue Sky notice filings required for Reg D.

Other Securities Lawyer Service Areas Near Philadelphia

Acquisition Stars represents clients across Pennsylvania and nationwide. Alex Lubyansky handles every engagement personally.

Don't see your city? View all Securities Lawyer service areas or contact us directly.

Attorney perspective on securities lawyer matters in Philadelphia

Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner at Acquisition Stars
"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."
Alex Lubyansky, Senior Counsel On negotiation (warning) (Leo Landaverde M&A Podcast)

15+ years of M&A and securities transaction experience Senior counsel on every engagement Admitted in Michigan, practicing nationwide

Reviewed by Alex Lubyansky on . Read full bio

Ready to Talk About Your Philadelphia Deal?

Alex Lubyansky handles every engagement personally. Tell us about your transaction and we will let you know if there is a fit.

Request Engagement Assessment

Tell us about your deal. We review every submission and respond within one business day.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

One attorney on every deal. Nationwide. 15+ years of M&A experience.