Expensive Mistakes When Buying And Selling Companies

About The Authors

Stuart Sorkin and Dick Stieglitz met at a weekend retreat for a men’s group called the Mankind Project (MKP). It didn’t take long to discover they had common business interests and, more importantly, shared values. After the weekend, they met to explore opportunities and plan Dick’s exit from the company he had founded 20 years earlier. Dick’s objectives were vague, but he knew he wanted to pass part of the proceeds to his heirs. Stuart suggested that Dick transfer some of his stock to a family trust in return for a lifetime annuity. Stuart prepared the trust documents, served as interim trustee, and represented the trust in negotiations. After the deal closed, Dick and Stuart began collaborating to help business owners buy other companies or sell their company. This book is based on their combined M&A experiences and their interviews with business owners and CPAs, attorneys, and brokers who specialize in M&A transactions.

RICHARD G. STIEGLITZ, Phd

Richard (Dick) Stieglitz has experienced the full spectrum of M&A. He was an executive in a company that was sold, was involved in transactions to buy companies, and built and sold his own company. Since he sold his company, Dick has consulted with CEOs who are grooming their company to be sold or building it through acquisitions and organic growth. Dick has a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, and served ten years refueling submarines as a naval officer. After leaving the Navy, he was Vice President in a software firm and Director of Consulting for a large aerospace company. In 1984, Dick founded his own company. His earlier book, “Taming the Dragons of Change in Business”, is based on 30 years experience in helping business and government executives achieve positive organizational change.

STUART H. SORKIN, JD, LL.M, CPA

Stieglitz Stuart Sorkin has represented buyers and sellers in M&A transactions for more than 25 years. He has participated in transactions involving publicly-traded companies, but mostly he helps owners of privately-held companies buy and sell businesses. He began his career in the tax department of an international accounting firm, and moved to the national tax office of another international accounting firm where he consulted with their local offices on M&A transactions. Stuart has worked for various law firms where he specialized in M&A transactions, asset protection, and estate planning. Stuart earned a JD from the University of Miami Law School and an LL.M atStuart Sorkin has represented buyers and sellers in M&A transactions for more than 25 years. He has participated in transactions involving publicly-traded companies, but mostly he helps owners of privately-held companies buy and sell businesses. He began his career in the tax department of an international accounting firm, and moved to the national tax office of another international accounting firm where he consulted with their local offices on M&A transactions. Stuart has worked for various law firms where he specialized in M&A transactions, asset protection, and estate planning. Stuart earned a JD from the University of Miami Law School and an LL.M at Georgetown University Law Center, and is also a Certified Public Accountant.