For many Lehigh Valley business owners, their company is more than just a financial asset. It represents years of hard work, risk, sacrifice, and dedication. In many cases, it is a family legacy.
As an M&A lawyer, I’ve had the privilege of guiding local entrepreneurs through one of the most significant chapters of their lives: selling their business.
More Than Just a Deal
Selling a business isn’t simply a transaction; it’s a transition to a new chapter. In many cases, the owner will no longer be “calling the shots,” and in some cases, may even be working alongside their family members who previously answered to them.
Most, if not all, of the owners I work with feel mixed emotions. They feel pride in what they’ve built, uncertainty about what’s next, and sometimes even some grief in letting go. For some, a sale marks retirement or a well-earned sabbatical. For others, it may be the start of a new venture, or an opportunity for the next generation to spread their wings and build upon that business legacy. Understanding those motivations is just as important as negotiating deal terms.
Defining Success on Your Terms
No two business sales look the same. Some owners want to maximize value to secure their family’s financial future. Others want to find the right buyer to protect their employees and preserve their culture.
I see my role as more than structuring a deal. In concert with the client’s other trusted advisors, like accountants and financial advisors, I help owners define and achieve their personal vision of success and set the table for what is next. For example:
- Suppose a seller wants to ensure long-term stability for employees (some of whom might be family members). In that case, those expectations should be communicated and established early in the negotiations.
- If their goal is philanthropy, I ensure the transaction’s tax consequences will support that mission.
Every decision should serve the seller’s long-term goals, not just the immediate sale price.
How Counsel Makes All the Difference
The sale process can be overwhelming. Beyond the complex financial and legal terms, emotions can run high, especially when family is involved from an ownership or management perspective. The right M&A counsel provides clarity, confidence, and care.
My job is to advocate for owners’ best interests both in the numbers and in the legacy they leave behind, meaning:
- First and foremost, understanding the owner’s goals and objectives, as well as any sensitivities around family members involved in the business
- Explaining complicated terms in plain language and advocating, where required, for better or “market” terms
- Protecting against risks and liabilities
- Keeping the deal aligned with the seller’s personal goals
When the proper legal guidance is in place, business owners can focus on the bigger picture: what this transition means for them, their families, and their employees.
Closing Thoughts for Lehigh Valley Owners
For Lehigh Valley entrepreneurs, selling a business is more than a financial decision. It’s the culmination of a dream, a chance to secure the future, and an opportunity to celebrate what they’ve built. Entrepreneurs are remarkable. They take risks, create jobs, and shape communities. Here in the Lehigh Valley, we’ve seen family-owned businesses grow into regional anchors, startups thrive in Bethlehem’s innovation and tech hubs, and companies contribute to revitalization projects in our downtown centers and beyond.
A successful sale is a celebration of that impact. It’s recognition that years of effort produced something enduring—an enterprise with new opportunities for growth under the next generation of leadership. I feel privileged to be part of these stories by helping owners achieve smooth, meaningful outcomes that respect both their hard work and their aspirations. Whether it is unveiling new ventures, ensuring employees are cared for, or safeguarding a family’s legacy, my mission is to make the process as rewarding as possible and in alignment with the business and its goals.
If you’re considering selling your business, please do not hesitate to contact me at gsimmons@norris-law.com.
Graham Simmons, a member of the firm’s Management Committee and Co-Chair of the Business Law Practice Group, advises businesses and municipalities on M&A, credit facilities, real estate, leasing, and land use, with a leading role in Easton, Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone (“NIZ”) and the Bethlehem City Revitalization & Improvement Zone (“CRIZ”).
