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Structuring M&A and Private Equity Transactions Involving ESOPs

Evaluating Advantages and Risks, Best Practices for Structuring the Deal

Recording of a 90-minute premium CLE video webinar with Q&A

This program is included with the Strafford CLE Pass. Click for more information.
This program is included with the Strafford All-Access Pass. Click for more information.

Conducted on Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Recorded event now available

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The CLE course will examine the growing use of leveraged employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) in structuring acquisitions, divestitures, and private equity sales in the challenging market times that we all are facing, particularly with today’s higher interest rates. The panel will discuss the advantages and challenges of selling all or part of a business to an ESOP trust and best practices for structuring the transaction.

Description

ESOPs provide an alternative strategy for selling a business. ESOPs allow company owners to cash out of their businesses and receive pre-tax dollars that are deferred from taxation, while simultaneously rewarding the employees who helped build the business. When structuring a deal, counsel should consider the advantages and risks of using leveraged ESOPs as an option for transitioning the ownership of a business. Counsel must also understand the mechanics of structuring a leveraged ESOP transaction.

The benefits of using ESOPs in structuring deals include the opportunity to execute a partial rather than complete sale, significant tax advantages, increased cash flow, strong employee benefits and the ability to attract seller financing, including SBA loan incentives for eligible businesses. Drawbacks to the ESOP structure are the increased regulatory and compliance mandates that need to be addressed by an ESOP company and the potential for ESOP litigation.

Listen as our authoritative panel discusses the latest developments in the use of leveraged ESOPs as an option to move acquisitions, divestitures, and private equity sales forward in today’s market. The panel will discuss the pros and cons of the structure and considerations for counsel when structuring deals with ESOPs.

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Outline

  1. Current trends in the use of ESOPs to structure deals
  2. Tax advantages of ESOP transactions to selling shareholders, employees, and ESOP plan sponsors
  3. Non-tax benefits and risks of the ESOP structure
  4. Best practices for structuring the transaction including private equity parties

Benefits

The panel will discuss these and other key issues:

  • What are the latest trends in the use of ESOPs in structuring acquisitions, divestitures, and private equity sales?
  • What are the tax and other benefits of using leveraged ESOPs in structuring deals? What are the downsides of the ESOP structure?
  • What are the mechanics of structuring a leveraged ESOP transaction?

Faculty

Jacob, Anthony
Anthony J. Jacob

Partner
Hinshaw & Culbertson

Mr. Jacob is engaged in general corporate practice, including various aspects of private merger, acquisition,...  |  Read More

Johanson, David
David R. Johanson

Senior Partner
Hawkins Parnell & Young

Mr. Johanson assists clients in general corporate matters and in employee ownership, benefit, ERISA, and related...  |  Read More

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