Business Continuity, Succession & Exit Planning

Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger LLP’s business and finance attorneys understand that business continuity, succession and exit planning are fundamental aspects of every sustainable organization.

Business continuity, succession and exit plans are interrelated and often overlap, but nevertheless, have distinct objectives. Business continuity planning is the process through which an organization plans for continuous operations in the face of adverse events. Succession planning is the process through which an organization plans for the eventual transfer of management upon the death, disability or departure of a founder or key leadership. Exit Planning is the process through which an organization’s owners identify exit-related objectives and design a strategy for achieving those objectives in the context of a broader succession plan, taking into account owners’ personal, business, financial, legal and tax goals.

For new businesses, our business continuity, succession and exit planning attorneys offer founders their diverse experience and expansive perspectives in designing organizational structures that allow for flexibility and continued growth even if founders’ paths ultimately diverge.

For established organizations, our business continuity, succession and exit planning attorneys in connection with attorneys in our Privacy & Cybersecurity and Commercial Litigation groups help clients identify risks and develop real-time response strategies to minimize disruption in the face of an organizational threat. 

For organizations facing the exit of a founder or key executive and for family-owned organizations planning for transfers from generation to generation, our business continuity, succession and exit planning attorneys in connection with attorneys in our Employment, Estate Planning and Transactional Tax groups have guided individuals and organizations alike through the process of developing and implementing succession plans designed to facilitate a smooth transition while achieving key objectives and preserving organizational culture.

Our Business & Finance attorneys' recent and notable engagements in business continuity, succession & exit planning include:

• Participated in development and formation of large chain of consumer retail service outlets.  Continuing general corporate representation and assisted in obtaining operational financing.  Represented company in strategic sales of outlets.

• Represented national retail chain through growth to over 60 company-owned stores and over 40 franchised stores in general corporate matters, real estate leasing and property acquisition, franchisee relations, debt financing transactions and ultimate advantageous sale of all stock of the company to strategic buyer while retaining the real estate on long term advantageous leases to Buyer.  Retained by Buyer for other legal work following closing of the transaction.

• Represented of proprietary trading firm since formation, including initial capital raise and follow on investments, development and implementation of employee equity incentive plan and general corporate issue.

• Representation of start up transportation company that has grown to one of the largest providers of livery services in the Chicago area in initial formation, equity offering, and follow on financing.

• Represent family offices in structuring investments for their clients.

• Assisted real estate entrepreneur in structuring and documenting offering of interests in LLC to investors for acquisition of multi-unit residential property in Texas.