Mergers & Acquisitions

Complex Issues.
Brilliant Solutions.

With experience representing buyers, sellers and investors, we have the capacity and depth of knowledge to understand the issues that arise during the course of a transaction and offer solutions to ensure your deal moves forward and closes.

Mergers & Acquisitions

The perfect opportunity can come at any time, but will you be ready to take it?

Business mergers, sales, or acquisitions are complex processes that require experienced legal representation.  Our Mergers & Acquisitions team has handled deals collectively worth billions of dollars.  With Fafinski Mark & Johnson, clients can count on aggressive negotiation, creative solutions, compelling value, and responsive service, all leading to positive outcomes.

Clients benefit from FMJ’s vast experience in a variety of financial or strategic-based deals.  As trusted advisors, we help guide our clients through all phases of the process, from consultation and initial business considerations to leading a team of investment bankers, accountants, and any other involved parties through the final transaction.  FMJ works diligently for our clients to achieve desired results.

The firm has experience representing buyers, sellers, and investors.  As such, we have the capacity and depth of knowledge to understand the issues that arise during the course of a transaction.  FMJ’s M&A Practice Group provides sophisticated legal service, and our team is the correct size to provide agile, creative, and responsive legal service.  We provide the right balance of guidance, advocacy, and value for our clients, and we offer practical solutions to ensure that your deal moves forward and closes.

List of Services

  • Advisory Role/Status for Seller
  • Asset and Stock Purchases
  • Asset v. Equity Structuring
  • Business Advising and Strategy Considerations
  • Business Entity/Structures of All Kinds, Including Partnerships, Closely-Held Companies, Public Companies, and Anything in Between
  • Capital Planning and Strategy
  • Closing
  • Corporate Governance and Management Structure
  • Cross-Border Issues
  • Date and Technology Considerations
  • Drafting
  • Due Diligence
  • Earnouts
  • Employment Agreements
  • Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA)
  • Environmental Review
  • Equipment and Operations
  • Financing
  • HR & Employment
  • Intellectual Property, Including Trademark and Copyright
  • Leasing
  • Lending Considerations
  • Licensing Agreements
  • Negotiation
  • Partnership Agreements
  • Payment Structure
  • Real Estate Issues and Concerns
  • Regulatory and Governmental Compliance
  • Rollover Equity
  • Self-Funded Searches
  • Succession Planning
  • Third-Party Planning and Consents
  • Transaction Structuring

Representative Transactions

The following transactions are a sample of the work FMJ has done over the last couple of years.  These matters show the broad range of industries, services, deals, and parties/organizations we work with on a regular basis.

  • Represented a sports entity in a joint venture involving a major technology company and a program that utilizes natural language to create sports stories out of statistics.  This was a partnership and licensing agreement involving global rights to this unique technology, including professional and college sports markets.  This technology could lead to creating revenue in non-revenue sports through subscriptions.
  • Represented an alternative lending institution in connection with a $50 million senior secured financing lease.  Funds will be used by borrower to equip a manufacturing facility with new manufacturing lines. Financing arrangements have been complicated by governmental grant funding, other co-lenders, and the borrower’s long term supply agreement with multi-national consumer product company.
  • Represented a closely-held European organization in the acquisition of a controlling stake of a worldwide supplier of aviation parts and services. This transaction included complicated structuring considerations related to foreign investment in the U.S. and a variety of other regulations.  Further, the transaction required navigating issues related to purchasing a company that has contracts with foreign military, governmental, and civilian aviation entities.  FMJ also advised on various financial and capital restructuring matters as a part of the transaction.
  • Represented a profitable online/search engine ads agency in a sale to a technology company that provides codeless AI infrastructure.  In this cutting-edge deal, FMJ advised on drafting and negotiating transaction documentation, completion of due diligence, and coordinated closing.  The firm also assisted the seller in navigating the cultural barriers of this cross-border, multi-jurisdictional transaction.
  • Represented the purchaser of a food and beverage line carved out from a public company. The purchaser was the original founder, having previously built and sold the line to the same public company. This transaction involved navigating FDA matters, negotiating co-packing agreements, intellectual property issues, licensing issues, a cold storage agreement due to the nature of the food product, real estate leases, and transition services.
  • Represented a privately held truck leasing and sales company in the purchase of trucks and other assets from a competitor.  FMJ helped to structure the transaction and drafted documentation for the transaction.
  • Represented clients in the sale of their fishing resort.  FMJ managed all aspects of the transaction, including due diligence and closing.
  • Represented a farmer in a multimillion-dollar exchange of farmland involving three different parties and a 1033 Exchange for condemnation proceeds. FMJ advised on structuring the transaction, drafted transaction documentation, and coordinated closing.
  • Represented the private owners of a custom manufacturing business, across three separate entities, in the sale of the business to a financial buyer.  FMJ helped the client navigate volatile business conditions, environmental review, and a rollover equity component to the transaction.
  • Represented a renewable energy developer in multiple sales of facilities across multiple states.  The firm also handled related issues, including solar energy leases, options, and easements with landowners.  FMJ advised the client on a variety of issues, including structure of the transaction (asset vs. equity), drafting and negotiating transaction documents, key earnouts, timing, and structure of payments.  FMJ also coordinated closing.
  • Represented private owners in the sale of their charter aviation business.  This transaction was complex, and it required navigation of Federal Aviation Administration and Airport Commission rules and regulations.  FMJ also negotiated employment agreements for the sellers, who agreed to continue working in an advisory role with the business.  In addition, FMJ worked with financial institutions to secure FAA and IR lien releases as a part of the transaction.
  • Represented the sellers of a storm equipment business to an international landscape maintenance company.  This complicated transaction also involved the sale and transfer of patents and other intellectual property.
 

Mergers & Acquisitions Team

Mergers & Acquisitions Resources

April 2026

Navigating Environmental Permitting in Minnesota: Understanding the Regulatory Landscape (Part 1 of 3)

Whether developing a new site or expanding an existing one, identifying applicable permitting requirements early can help avoid delays, added costs, and regulatory complications. Read more

March 2026

Employment Law Considerations for Non-Employees in Minnesota, Including LLC Members, Founders, and Nonprofit Organization Members

Learn how Minnesota employment laws apply to founders, nonprofits, and business owners, and when to seek legal help. Read more

February 2026

Cortney Buesgens and Rob Fafinski Featured in Holy Family HS Alumni Magazine

Cortney and Rob attended the same high school in Victoria, Minnesota. Read more

February 2026

Privacy Policies: When Do Your Words Become Legal Promises?

The language you choose in a privacy policy can carry legal consequences. Read more

February 2026

FMJ Welcomes Real Estate Attorney Brittany Kennedy

Britt will handle real estate, corporate, business, and M&A matters. Welcome to FMJ! Read more

January 2026

Event: Protecting Your Business in a Digital World

Morgan Zuehlke has been invited to speak to the Eden Prairie Chamber about cybersecurity issues. Read more

November 2025

Corporate Closings

Take a look back at some highlights from the Corporate and Business Group in summer and early fall 2025. Read more

November 2025

Heidi Carpenter Selected for Ranking on Legal500 Minneapolis Elite

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Heidi! Read more

November 2025

FMJ Welcomes Litigation and Real Estate Attorney Hannah Schacherl Jansen

Hannah will handle Litigation, Appellate, and Real Estate matters, including environmental and watershed issues. Welcome to FMJ! Read more

September 2025

Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave Program

Natolie Hochhausen will discuss PFML at the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce on September 16, 2025. Read more

September 2025

Business Succession Planning

Pat Shriver will join CPAs and business planning professionals for a free webinar on September 16, 2025. Read more

August 2025

18 FMJ Attorneys Selected for the 2026 Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch Lists

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! Read more

July 2025

Minnesota Monthly Selects 11 FMJ Attorneys for the 2025 Top Lawyers List

Congratulations to these 11 attorneys across 9 practice areas! Read more

July 2025

FMJ Attorneys Named to the 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists!

Congratulations to these 12 attorneys, and thank you for another excellent year. Read more

Other Practice Areas

Agriculture

Agriculture

Our Agriculture group has legal experience in all aspects of agribusiness, including general corporate and transactional matters, farm succession planning, and litigation. Our attorneys also represent many types of cooperatives and independent elevators, including grain, feed, chemical, and fuel.
Appellate

Appellate

Our Appellate group has years of experience in assessing, briefing, and arguing appeals at all levels of courts throughout the United States. We have the ability to synthesize and analyze the record and the law, as well as narrow the case focus to those issues most likely to bring client benefit and appellate success.
Aviation & Transportation

Aviation & Transportation

Recognized nationally and internationally for our experience and insider knowledge of the transportation industries, our Transportation & Logistics attorneys are equipped with immense insight and a practical approach to complex logistical and legal issues.
Banking & Financial Institutions

Banking & Financial Institutions

Our Banking & Financial Institution team includes lending attorneys, bankruptcy attorneys, corporate attorneys, commercial and special asset attorneys, and attorneys with experience serving on bank loan committees, boards of directors of banks, and bank holding companies.
Bankruptcy & Insolvency

Bankruptcy & Insolvency

Our Bankruptcy & Insolvency attorneys represent creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy, reorganization, and workouts, and appear in courtrooms across the country. Our philosophy is to actively participate in every phase of the workout and reorganization process.
Competition & Trade

Competition & Trade

We work with clients daily to help them better compete in their marketplace, whether that be local, national, global, or virtual. Our goal is to understand our clients’ businesses and challenges and help them navigate the business and legal obstacles to success.
Defamation and Reputation Protection

Defamation and Reputation Protection

Fafinski Mark & Johnson is a leader in helping businesses to protect their reputations and navigate defamation claims, including both libel and slander.
ETA – Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

ETA – Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

Fafinski Mark & Johnson is a thought leader working on the cutting edge of ETA. We value the flexibility and opportunity that ETA transactions provide for our clients, and our team has the capacity and depth of knowledge to handle issues that arise while keeping the the deal moving toward closing.
General Corporate & Business

General Corporate & Business

Our General Corporate & Business group works with organizations of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, across all industries, helping them devise strategies and solve problems. Much of the work we do is contractual – structuring, negotiating, and reviewing contracts.
HR & Employment

HR & Employment

Our HR & Employment attorneys guide our clients through the complexities of employment procedures and policies, employee benefits, hiring and termination practices, and compliance with ever-changing employment laws. We combine our knowledge of the law with specifics of our clients’ businesses to produce optimal outcomes.
Insurance

Insurance

FMJ’s Insurance group represents commercial and nonprofit insurers, and the team serves as outside general counsel to fraternal insurance companies. We advise insurance companies on all aspects of corporate, nonprofit, and insurance law.
Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property

Our Intellectual Property attorneys assist with trademark and copyright registration, compliance and licensing, dispute resolution, and pre-dispute counseling. We also have the technical, business, and legal acumen necessary to provide counsel on various intellectual property matters.
Litigation

Litigation

From local courtrooms to the United States Supreme Court, our Litigation group has a proven track record of obtaining favorable outcomes for our clients in a wide variety of legal disputes. We specialize in commercial, general, employment, shareholder, insurance defense, product liability, aviation, transportation, real estate, and appellate litigation.
Manufacturing

Manufacturing

FMJ’s Manufacturing attorneys have been holistically representing manufacturers for two decades. From R&D, through supply chain, operations, distribution, and sale channels, we know your challenges. We have a history of efficiently solving our clients’ legal issues in every phase of manufacturing.
Nonprofit & Philanthropic

Nonprofit & Philanthropic

FMJ’s Nonprofit & Philanthropic group is passionate about assisting philanthropies and nonprofit organizations in carrying out their meaningful missions, paired with their extensive experience in an array of areas, makes the firm an ideal fit to help nonprofit and philanthropic organizations face the many nuances of nonprofit law.
Products Liability

Products Liability

With their expansive product knowledge and extensive experience, FMJ’s Products Liability group is able to handle cases effectively, efficiently, and with their clients' interests always at the forefront. The group has served as regional and national counsel to multi-level international Fortune 500 companies in 30 states for over 40 years.
Real Estate

Real Estate

Our Real Estate team has the experience and practical business knowledge necessary to navigate, negotiate, and manage the nuanced elements of real estate transactions, whether you are a business that has ongoing commercial purchase and sale or lease transactions, you are an experienced investor, or you are investing in real estate for the first time.
Sports & Entertainment

Sports & Entertainment

FMJ’s attorneys provide the wide range of legal services that sports and entertainment organizations need to succeed. We understand that cost-effectiveness matters, so we deliver real value without sacrificing the quality of our advice and representation. Our team works efficiently to solve legal challenges, allowing clients to concentrate on what matters most: their craft, their content, and their game.
Trusts & Estates

Trusts & Estates

Our Trusts & Estates group provides estate planning, estate administration, business and unique asset succession planning, estate controversy assistance and related services to individuals, closely-held businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and corporate fiduciaries. We are always accepting new clients and offer complimentary 30-minute initial consultations and flat-fee estate planning to fit every budget.