Home > Services > Corporate Law

CORPORATE LAW

We advise individuals, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and other business entities on the issues that affect their day-to-day operations as well as on the extraordinary events that can have significant repercussions for their businesses. We assist these individuals and businesses with all types of business agreements, contracts, transactions and issues, drawing on our broad knowledge and experience.

Our role as legal counselors covers many areas. We frequently attend our clients’ board of directors, shareholders and members meetings. We also routinely structure and organize business entities of all types, including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and general partnerships, and prepare the appropriate organizational documents. We counsel our clients regarding separation of the business entity from their personal finances.

We have extensive experience in preparing and reviewing a wide variety of agreements. We frequently assist our clients with the design and drafting of their standard business agreements, such as purchase order terms and conditions, supplier and distribution agreements, employment agreements, and non-competition and non-disclosure agreements.

Because we work closely with our clients, naturally we come to learn many aspects of our clients’ businesses and operations. Often we are able to identify situations or operational practices that must be addressed before the client incurs any legal liability, thereby helping the client avoid the potentially costly consequences. We frequently identify issues in our client’s operations that can be resolved with the help of other attorneys at the firm, such as our employment, tax, employee benefits or intellectual property practice groups.

Publications

SEC adopts new executive clawback requirements for erroneously awarded compensation

Three red flags for sellers in M&A transactions

SEC proposes amendments to Rule 14a-8 that would enhance shareholders’ ability to add proposals to proxy statements

SEC urges SPACs to include disclosures of conflicts of interest

New requirement for corporations doing business in Illinois to publicly report employee demographic data

Key considerations for target companies in a SPAC merger

IRS clarifies employee retention tax credit rules for Q1 and Q2 of 2021

SEC emphasizes ESG by establishing new website and taking public comments on climate disclosure

IRS extends filing and payment deadline for individual taxpayers

IRS clarifies legislative changes to the employee retention tax credit

SEC updates 10-K and 10-Q disclosure requirements – Regulation S-K Items 101, 103 and 105

Item 402 Pay Ratio Disclosures: Annual proxy statements filed in 2021 may need a new median employee determination

SEC Tightens Requirements for Shareholder Proposal Rule 14a-8

Diversity-related derivative actions are on the rise, and Corporate America is on edge

Top ten issues to negotiate in an M&A engagement letter during an economic downturn

IRS issues guidance clarifying President Trump’s payroll tax deferral

SEC takes significant action, expands definition of 'accredited investor'

Are smart contracts smart enough? COVID-19, force majeure, blockchain and oracles

How to use earnouts in M&A transactions during COVID-19

Ten due diligence keys to unlock value from your SaaS contract

Effect of “forgiven” PPP loan on the deductibility of covered expenses

Practical methods to assure payment and increase collection of accounts receivable during COVID-19

Business tips during the Coronavirus outbreak

10 best practices to keep your business healthy during the Coronavirus outbreak

What investment advisers should know about the SEC’s proposed advertisement solicitation rule updates

Utilizing profits interests as equity incentive compensation

Buying and selling a business: Disclosure schedules and why they matter

Three key elements of good corporate governance

Don’t get caught overlooking boilerplate clauses in commercial contracts

What you should do when PE firm offers to buy your business: Part 3

Three key considerations when forming a nonprofit corporation in Missouri

What you should do when PE firm offers to buy your business: Part 2

What you should do when PE firm offers to buy your business: Part 1

Proposed changes to Regulation S-K impacting disclosures

Why service level agreements are key for provider longevity and customer satisfaction

SEC adopts new procedure for confidential treatment requests and extensions

Remember to update your Form 8-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 10-K cover pages

Not so fast on your $87 million transaction: FTC increases advance notice threshold under HSR

SEC denies applications for ETFs: Will traditional Wall Street banks step in?

Beware the tail of the dog: 5 tips in dealing with employee benefits in mergers and acquisitions

5 tips for environmental due diligence in business transactions

Is venture debt right for your start-up or growth-stage company?

Private equity’s top ten issues for the next president

U.K. now requires supply chain transparency on human trafficking risks

Key considerations for representation and warranty insurance

Doing business in California or the UK? You may be required to be a watchdog for human trafficking

Technology companies: Are your employment policies due for a reboot?

Protecting the identity of your LLC members, LP partners in litigation, Part II: Strategies for discovery

Protecting the identity of your LLC members, LP partners in litigation, Part I: Motions to remand

NLRB posting requirement struck down by court; federal contractors still on the hook

TCLE

Postsecondary Institutions: Business Considerations

Dealing with Vendors and Data Security

You Don’t Know What You’re Missing: Motivating Performance Through Service Level Agreements

Dealing with Financially Troubled Customers Outside and Inside of Bankruptcy

Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act)

Trade Issues in M&A

Current Issues in M&A Law and Practice

Blog Posts

CCPA: The next horizon for M&A deals in California and beyond

What’s new for medical cannabis facilities after the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act

A state-by-state ranking of cannabis regulations

Mergers and acquisitions in higher education: Considering the letter of intent

Making sense of California’s ban on industrial hemp in food products

New FinCEN beneficial ownership requirements for legal entity customers to become effective in May 2018

A rule by any other name: What is a ‘rule’ subject to disapproval under the Congressional Review Act?

Home Depot directors prevail in cybersecurity liability claim

Cybersecurity liability: Delaware has good news for directors

News

Post Included in Los Angeles Business Journal’s LA500 for 2023

Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2022 Chambers USA

Jennifer Post talks to ALM’s The Recorder about serving as Thompson Coburn’s first LGBTQ office managing partner

Corporate and securities partner Susan Fisher joins Thompson Coburn in Dallas

Jennifer Post honored among 2021 influential women attorneys in Los Angeles

Congratulations to the new Thompson Coburn partners for 2021

Brent Trame named a 2020 BTI Client Service All-Star

Congratulations to our 2021 Best Lawyers ‘Lawyers of the Year’ and ‘Ones to Watch’

Tom Minogue to receive ICON Award from Missouri Lawyers Media

Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2020 Chambers USA

Jennifer Post included in ‘Top Minority Attorneys in Los Angeles’ list for 2020

Congratulations to our 14 ‘Lawyers of the Year’ for 2020

17 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2019 Chambers USA

Thompson Coburn announces leadership Succession Plan

Jennifer Post named to LA500 for 2019

Jennifer Post named among the ‘Most Influential Minority Attorneys in Los Angeles’ for 2019

Thompson Coburn supports agricultural growth through the Center for Soybean Innovation

Thompson Coburn Management Committee welcomes Jennifer Post

Thompson Coburn earns 11 national top-tier rankings in U.S. News 2019 ‘Best Law Firms’ survey

Congratulations to our 14 ‘Lawyers of the Year’ for 2019

Jennifer Post named to LA500

Barry Klinckhardt, Susan Myers among 2018 Corporate Counsel Award winners

Helen B. Kim, Jennifer Post named Most Influential Women Lawyers in LA for 2018

Helen B. Kim, Jennifer Post named among the ‘Most Influential Minority Attorneys in Los Angeles’

Thompson Coburn earns 12 national top-tier rankings in U.S. News ‘Best Law Firms’ survey

Emily Wang Murphy named as co-chair of 28th Annual Lawyers Have Heart

Thompson Coburn congratulates Diane Compardo for being selected as one of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors

Thompson Coburn congratulates Bob Chapman of Barry-Wehmiller on best CEO honor

Thompson Coburn named among top 30 law firms for client service

Emily Wang Murphy appointed to Lawyers Have Heart board

Thompson Coburn earns 11 national top-tier rankings in U.S. News ‘Best Law Firms’ survey

Three Thompson Coburn attorneys tapped for St. Louis Magazine’s 2016 ‘Power List’

Congratulations to our 2017 ‘Lawyers of the Year’

Congratulations to the new Thompson Coburn partners for 2016

Thompson Coburn assists with merger of St. Louis Minority Business Council, Regional Chamber

25 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2015 Chambers USA

Tom Minogue named chair of University of Missouri-St. Louis board

Los Angeles litigator, business advisor Rich Reinis joins Thompson Coburn

Thompson Coburn earns eight national top-tier rankings in U.S. News ‘Best Law Firms’ survey

Thompson Coburn leads deal that brought One Direction to Edward Jones Dome

Sixth Circuit rules cows can be leased

Fred Strasheim featured in Law360 ‘Dealmakers’ series

27 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2014 Chambers USA

Jim Slear leads webinar on ‘Navigating the Russian and Ukrainian Sanctions Maze’

Read Tom Minogue’s remarks from the Top 150 Privately Held Companies Dinner

Kevin Young joins Thompson Coburn's corporate practice in Chicago

Claire Schenk to speak at 10th Annual ABA National Institute on False Claims Act

U.S. Supreme Court unanimously sides with position of Thompson Coburn airline client

Higher education attorney Aaron D. Lacey joins Thompson Coburn

Thompson Coburn earns six national top-tier rankings in U.S. News ‘Best Law Firms’ survey

Webinar will review attorney client privilege for in-house counsel

Tom Minogue accepts pro bono award from LSEM, surprises the crowd

Rob Lang publishes e-book on corporate governance litigation

Manufacturing magazine publishes Rob Kamensky article on distribution agreements

19 Thompson Coburn partners named 2013 St. Louis Lawyers of the Year

Tom Minogue represents the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 50th anniversary ad campaign

Thompson Coburn partner Tom Litz receives national honor for client service

Bob Wallace joins Thompson Coburn as partner

Rob Kamensky publishes book chapter on distribution agreements

Associate
St. Louis

Nabil assists clients in a broad range of corporate and securities areas, including mergers, acquisitions, and capital markets.

Nabil assists clients in a broad range of corporate and securities areas, i...

Nabil Al-Khaled
Partner
New York

John draws on his more than 30 years of litigation experience to represent a wide variety of clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts.

John draws on his more than 30 years of litigation experience to represent ...

John Amato
Partner
St. Louis

Mariquita is an experienced and results-driven M&A and tax attorney who negotiates and closes complex transactions.

Mariquita is an experienced and results-driven M&A and tax attorney who...

Mariquita Barbieri, LLM
Partner
St. Louis

Cathy focuses her practice on employee benefits, taxation and closely-held businesses.

Cathy focuses her practice on employee benefits, taxation and closely-held ...

Cathy Conrad
Associate
St. Louis

Allyson is an associate in the Firm's Corporate and Securities Group.

Allyson is an associate in the Firm's Corporate and Securities Group.

Allyson Coyne
Associate
St. Louis

Jesse assists corporate clients with a wide range of transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and general business counseling.

Jesse assists corporate clients with a wide range of transactional matters,...

Jesse Doggendorf
Senior Counsel
St. Louis

For more than 40 years, Don has counseled clients in connection with mergers and acquisitions as well as corporate and commercial transactions.

For more than 40 years, Don has counseled clients in connection with merger...

Don Dorwart
Senior Counsel
St. Louis

Chip's practice focuses on the representation of individuals, universities, and national and international companies in commercial transactions and counseling involving t...

Chip's practice focuses on the representation of individuals, universities,...

Chip Fendell
Partner
Chicago

Barry serves as an advisor to publicly held and private companies as well as individuals involved in all types of complex transactions.

Barry serves as an advisor to publicly held and private companies as well a...

Barry Fischer
Partner
Dallas

Susan is a versatile corporate attorney who represents public and private companies, portfolio companies, private equity funds, and individual and institutional investors...

Susan is a versatile corporate attorney who represents public and private c...

Susan Fisher
Partner
St. Louis

Jim serves as a key advisor to regional medical groups on the full spectrum of business and regulatory issues they encounter while providing medical services.

Jim serves as a key advisor to regional medical groups on the full spectrum...

Jim Fogle
Partner
St. Louis

For more than 30 years, Evan has served as a trusted advisor to hospitals, health care systems, long-term care facilities, health plans, physicians, and other businesses ...

For more than 30 years, Evan has served as a trusted advisor to hospitals, ...

Evan Raskas Goldfarb
Counsel
Washington, D.C. |
Birmingham

A former deputy general counsel for a private university, Scott understands the unique challenges that our higher education clients face and how to best help them achieve...

A former deputy general counsel for a private university, Scott understands...

Scott Goldschmidt
Partner
Chicago

Jay serves as a critical business partner and advisor for a variety of companies, from startups to multi-level international organizations.

Jay serves as a critical business partner and advisor for a variety of comp...

A. Jay Goldstein
Partner
New York

Don represents clients in mergers and acquisitions, business organization, and general corporate matters.

Don represents clients in mergers and acquisitions, business organization, ...

Don Grubman
Partner
Chicago

Matt draws on his wide-ranging corporate law background to guide entrepreneurs toward growth and success at each stage of their business.

Matt draws on his wide-ranging corporate law background to guide entreprene...

Matt Hafter
Partner
St. Louis

Ron has advised middle market clients on privately negotiated acquisitions and dispositions of all kinds of businesses for over 35 years.

Ron has advised middle market clients on privately negotiated acquisitions ...

Ron Haglof
Partner
Chicago

Ruthanne represents parties in complex commercial transactions, providing responsive advice on a variety of finance and sales matters.

Ruthanne represents parties in complex commercial transactions, providing r...

Ruthanne Hammett
Partner
St. Louis

Julie represents clients in mergers and acquisitions and sophisticated securities offerings, and offers advice on a wide range of corporate matters.

Julie represents clients in mergers and acquisitions and sophisticated secu...

Julie Hellmich
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Benjamin is a corporate advisor and business strategist for a wide variety of privately-held businesses, manufacturers, financial institutions, and nonprofits.

Benjamin is a corporate advisor and business strategist for a wide variety ...

Benjamin Hulsey
Partner
Chicago

Rob is a pragmatic, solution-oriented advisor who guides companies through major transactions as well as provides comprehensive advice on their day-to-day operations and ...

Rob is a pragmatic, solution-oriented advisor who guides companies through ...

Rob Kamensky
Partner
New York

James serves as legal adviser to investors, entrepreneurs, investment advisers and investment bankers as they fund or invest in new companies, grow established private co...

James serves as legal adviser to investors, entrepreneurs, investment advis...

James Kardon
Partner
Los Angeles

Jon represents mid-sized, closely held businesses and their owners in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, retail sales and professional servic...

Jon represents mid-sized, closely held businesses and their owners in a var...

Jon Karp
Partner
Chicago

David is Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group.

David is Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group.

David Kaufman
Associate
St. Louis

Haley supports a wide variety of clients with corporate and securities matters and financings.

Haley supports a wide variety of clients with corporate and securities matt...

Haley Kavanaugh
Partner
St. Louis

Michele is Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group and serves on the Firm's Management Committee.

Michele is Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group a...

Michele Kloeppel
Associate
Chicago

Suzanne is an associate in the Firm's Corporate & Securities practice.

Suzanne is an associate in the Firm's Corporate & Securities practice.

Suzanne Krause
Partner
St. Louis |
Birmingham

The Chair of Thompson Coburn's Higher Education Practice, Aaron assists institutions to navigate a wide range of complex legal and regulatory matters.

The Chair of Thompson Coburn's Higher Education Practice, Aaron assists ins...

Aaron Lacey
Partner
St. Louis

Sarah advises corporate clients on mergers and acquisitions, securities law compliance, corporate governance and general business counseling.

Sarah advises corporate clients on mergers and acquisitions, securities law...

Sarah Larson
Partner
St. Louis

Mike focuses his legal practice on public finance, corporate law, business transactions, governmental and nonprofit law.

Mike focuses his legal practice on public finance, corporate law, business ...

Michael Lause
Partner
St. Louis

Tom is a veteran M&A and corporate finance attorney who provides clients with common-sense solutions to address complex transactional issues.

Tom is a veteran M&A and corporate finance attorney who provides client...

Tom Litz
Partner
New York

Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in federal and state courts throughout the United States in a wide variety of major commercial disp...

Steve represents financial institutions, businesses and constituencies in f...

Steven Mandelsberg
Partner
St. Louis

Greg represents clients in mergers and acquisitions and sophisticated securities offerings, and offers advice on the wide range of regulatory and compliance issues affect...

Greg represents clients in mergers and acquisitions and sophisticated secur...

Greg Mennerick
Senior Counsel
St. Louis

Tom is the immediate past Chair of Thompson Coburn, where for 20 years he led the Firm through a period of growth and nationwide expansion.

Tom is the immediate past Chair of Thompson Coburn, where for 20 years he l...

Tom Minogue
Associate
Chicago

Matthew represents public and private companies across the country on a wide range of corporate matters while providing comprehensive advice on corporate and business iss...

Matthew represents public and private companies across the country on a wid...

Matthew Misichko
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense solutions" and "natural instincts" for deal flow.

Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense so...

Emily Wang Murphy
Partner
New York

Zachary delivers practical, tactical, and experienced advice to corporate, lending, and fiduciary clients with respect to all phases of litigation, alternate dispute reso...

Zachary delivers practical, tactical, and experienced advice to corporate, ...

Zachary Newman
Associate
St. Louis

Patrick helps his clients through a range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, securities law compliance, and venture capital transactions.

Patrick helps his clients through a range of corporate matters, including m...

Patrick Paterson
Partner
St. Louis

Greg counsels entrepreneurs, investment advisors and major institutional investors on a wide range of securities offerings and transactions while providing comprehensive ...

Greg counsels entrepreneurs, investment advisors and major institutional in...

Greg Patterson
Partner
Los Angeles

Jennifer serves as primary outside counsel to entrepreneurs, venture capital funds and operating companies with an emphasis on transactional and finance matters.

Jennifer serves as primary outside counsel to entrepreneurs, venture capita...

Jennifer Post
Partner
Chicago

Backed by a 30-plus-year career on the legal and regulatory side of financial markets, Rick is an insightful advisor to trading firms, brokerage firms, trade execution fi...

Backed by a 30-plus-year career on the legal and regulatory side of financi...

Rick Reibman
Partner
St. Louis

Chris is a valued strategic partner to emerging companies and the institutions and individuals that invest in them.

Chris is a valued strategic partner to emerging companies and the instituti...

Chris Reid
Associate
Los Angeles

Monica assists clients in a wide range of corporate and securities matters, as well as banking and commercial financing matters.

Monica assists clients in a wide range of corporate and securities matters,...

Monica Roth
Associate
Chicago

Kayla brings a keen insight to assess corporate transactions from an analytical and economic perspective.

Kayla brings a keen insight to assess corporate transactions from an analyt...

Kayla Siam
Associate
Dallas

Jerica is an associate in the Firm's Corporate & Securities and Public Finance practices.

Jerica is an associate in the Firm's Corporate & Securities and Public ...

Jerica Steward
Partner
Washington, D.C.

Ray is a member of the Corporate and Securities, Government Contracts and Tax practice groups.

Ray is a member of the Corporate and Securities, Government Contracts and T...

Ray Stewart
Partner
St. Louis

Nationally recognized for his M&A transactional experience, Fred is Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group.

Nationally recognized for his M&A transactional experience, Fred is Co-...

Fred Strasheim
Partner
St. Louis

Brent helps his clients navigate the complexities of mergers, acquisitions, financings, and other significant corporate transactions from initial negotiation through exec...

Brent helps his clients navigate the complexities of mergers, acquisitions,...

Brent Trame
Counsel
Los Angeles

An attorney in the firm's corporate governance practice, Gia regularly advises business ownership shareholders, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies an...

An attorney in the firm's corporate governance practice, Gia regularly advi...

Gia Twine
Associate
St. Louis

Bill is an associate in the Firm's corporate and securities practice group.

Bill is an associate in the Firm's corporate and securities practice group....

Bill Vega
Partner
Chicago

Nathan advises both buyers and sellers in a range of sophisticated M&A transactions, including private equity and strategic acquisitions, divestitures, and leveraged ...

Nathan advises both buyers and sellers in a range of sophisticated M&A ...

Nathan Viehl
Partner
St. Louis

As chairman of the Firm's Sports Law Group, Bob represents teams, prospective buyers of sports teams, companies interested in sports marketing and civic and government en...

As chairman of the Firm's Sports Law Group, Bob represents teams, prospecti...

Bob Wallace, Jr.
Associate
Washington, D.C.

Throughout her career, Hope has always found ways to help public institutions achieve their goals.

Throughout her career, Hope has always found ways to help public institutio...

Hope Watson
Partner
Los Angeles

Barry serves as a corporate strategist and outside general counsel to small- to mid-sized companies, as well as their principals, in a variety of industries.

Barry serves as a corporate strategist and outside general counsel to small...

Barry Weisz
Counsel
Washington, D.C.

Katie handles a wide variety of regulatory and transactional work for the nonprofit and for-profit higher education sectors, including distance education programs, and ha...

Katie handles a wide variety of regulatory and transactional work for the n...

Katie Wendel
Associate
Dallas

Rebecca is an associate in the Firm's corporate practice, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and corporate and securities laws.

Rebecca is an associate in the Firm's corporate practice, focusing on merge...

Rebecca Wolfe
Partner
Chicago

Described by one client as a highly effective "legal quarterback," Kevin handles a wide range of transactional and governance matters for corporate clients and financial ...

Described by one client as a highly effective "legal quarterback," Kevin ha...

Kevin Young