COURSE DESCRIPTION
Master the foundational elements of stockholder agreements that govern ownership relationships, decision-making authority, and wealth transfer in closely-held corporations. This program provides essential guidance on structuring shareholder arrangements that balance control, liquidity, and family harmony in private company contexts. Build the knowledge base necessary for effective corporate governance planning in family and closely-held business enterprises.
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Design voting agreements and control mechanisms that ensure effective corporate governance
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Structure buy-sell provisions that establish fair valuation methods and funding mechanisms
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Address employment and compensation issues affecting shareholder-employees in closely-held corporations
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Draft transfer restrictions and right of first refusal provisions that maintain ownership control
Speakers:
Frank Ciatto is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Venable, LLP, where he has 20 years’ experience advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, limited liability companies, tax and accounting issues, and corporate finance transactions. He is a leader of his firm’s private equity and hedge fund groups and a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Subcommittee of the ABA Business Law Section. He is a Certified Public Accountant and earlier in his career worked at what is now PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York.
Molly Merritts is an attorney in the Washington, D.C. office of Venable, LLP, where she focuses her practice on a wide range of corporate law matters, including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, and real estate investment trusts. She also advises clients on corporate governance matters, transactional and commercial contract negotiations, and corporate reorganizations.