When selling a company, it is easy to focus on the most visible stages of the process – identifying a buyer, negotiating a price, diligence, and documenting and closing the deal. Yet, some of the most important factors in ensuring a successful sale occur long before the company is actually “in play.” 

Our 2023 edition of this panel will feature an investment banker, an accountant with an active M&A advisory practice, a wealth manager and a corporate/M&A lawyer.  They will explore many of the critical elements in long-range M&A planning, including the following:

• Recognizing and concentrating on the metrics that purchasers in the relevant industry will use to value the company
• Staying abreast of developments in the industry, activities of competitors, other acquisition activity and similar market information, in order to identify trends and to be able to recognize when the climate is right for a sale
• Long-term legal arrangements to prepare for a transaction, including avoiding problematic contractual provisions and establishing proper ownership and protection of intellectual property
• Maintaining orderly commercial, financial and legal records to increase the attractiveness of the company, expedite the sale process and prevent surprises during diligence that can reduce the purchase price
• Engaging in timely wealth management planning for founders

Bring your questions for the panelists, or send them in advance – time has been set aside.

RSVP on Zoom here.

Agenda
11:30 - 12:00 - Virtual Networking
12:00 - 1:00 - Panel Discussion and Q&A
1:00 - 1:30 - Virtual Networking

Speakers

Paul Ellis, Managing Partner, Ellis Law Group LLC

As Managing Partner of the 12-lawyer Ellis Law Group, Paul counsels on issues including formation, early-stage financing (friends and family, angel and VC), joint venture and strategic partnering relationships, employment, equity plans, mergers and acquisitions, and, together with his colleagues, protection and licensing of intellectual property. His experience spans multiple industries including software, digital media, e-commerce, healthcare, fintech and blockchain and cryptocurrency. He has represented companies ranging from startups to multinationals, as well as funds, family offices and individual investors. Clients choose Paul to negotiate complex business matters and provide sophisticated, strategic legal advice for establishing, financing, operating and exiting highly successful, and often rapidly-growing, companies.

Jeanette Jordan, CPA, CM&AA, Withum

With over 26 years in the public accounting realm, Jeanette Jordan brings extensive expertise to the transaction advisory field, with 15 years focused on due diligence. Specializing in guiding clients through strategic and financial buyer transactions, she has successfully led projects with valuations ranging up to $900M, particularly excelling in the $30M to $80M range. As a licensed CPA in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and a Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor, she contributes actively to professional bodies like AICPA, NJCPA, ACG, and AM&AA. In addition to her industry involvement, she serves as President of XPX New Jersey and Tri-State XPX Board Member, demonstrating her commitment to community engagement through volunteer work with the New Jersey Special Olympics and various educational foundations. Her diverse experience spans sectors like hospitality, manufacturing, private equity, technology, and consumer products, and her services encompass transaction advisory, due diligence, and management consulting.

Brian Mizoguchi, CEPA®, CPFA®, CSRIC®,Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Brian Mizoguchi is a Senior Financial Advisor and Portfolio Manager at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He runs a New York-based wealth management team specializing in advising the owners and executives of privately held businesses, with a focus on technology, healthcare, and life sciences companies. A Certified Exit Planning Advisor®, Brian helps clients prepare for and execute M&A transactions through comprehensive financial planning. Brian is a leader in sustainable and impact investing, serving as the chairman of the Impact Capital Forum and as a program mentor for Wharton’s Turner Impact Portfolio Challenge. He holds a degree in Economics from Hamilton College. 

Don More, Managing Director, Lincoln International

Don More is a Managing Director at Lincoln International, a global investment bank, and advises clients in the Cybersecurity and Risk/GRC sectors, where he has consummated 70+ M&A and financing transactions, on behalf of the most accomplished entrepreneurs and investors. Don has more than 20 years of banking and sector expertise.

RSVP on Zoom here.