Michael is a Shareholder and Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Business Transactions Practice. He has over 20 years of experience advising companies and their boards of directors in mergers, acquisitions, strategic alliances, private equity transactions, corporate governance issues, and intellectual property transfers. He represents clients on both the sale-side and buy-side of transactions, many of which involve middle-market companies and deals ranging from $10 Million to $1 Billion.
Michael’s clients span a broad range of industries, having a particular concentration in the biotechnology, digital, aerospace, and defense markets. With his expansive industry knowledge and diverse client base, Michael is frequently handling cross-border issues related to mergers, acquisitions, defense and aerospace industry requirements, and the transfer and licensing of intellectual property, as well as other types of business matters. He has experience advising companies and individuals on federal, state, and local tax issues, and small business owners on business succession issues, including the structuring and financing of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).
Michael’s clients span a broad range of industries, having a particular concentration in the biotechnology, digital, aerospace, and defense markets. With his expansive industry knowledge and diverse client base, Michael is frequently handling cross-border issues related to mergers, acquisitions, defense and aerospace industry requirements, and the transfer and licensing of intellectual property, as well as other types of business matters. He has experience advising companies and individuals on federal, state, and local tax issues, and small business owners on business succession issues, including the structuring and financing of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).
Sharon Heaton is the founder of the national M&A advisory firm sbLiftOff, which serves owners in the government contracting space. An avidly sought speaker on government contracting, growth strategies and M&A, Heaton’s book released this year, LIFT OFF: 12 Things to Know Before You Sell Your Company, published by FORBES, is an Amazon bestseller. Heaton was appointed to the Small Business Administration’s Investment Capital Advisory Committee and is an active member of both Women in Defense and the National Veterans Small Business Coalition. She publishes in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Washington Business Journal, Alabama.com and regional outlets around the country.
Ms. Heaton has been associated with the global law firms of Skadden Arps and Latham & Watkins and has served as Senior Counsel on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, General Counsel and Deputy Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Previously, she was Deputy Counsel of a Fortune
500 company operating in ten states.
Ms. Heaton holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School and a B.A. from Barnard College.
Ms. Heaton has been associated with the global law firms of Skadden Arps and Latham & Watkins and has served as Senior Counsel on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, General Counsel and Deputy Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Previously, she was Deputy Counsel of a Fortune
500 company operating in ten states.
Ms. Heaton holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School and a B.A. from Barnard College.
Jonathan Hall, who obtained his degree from the University of Alabama and then his Masters of Accountancy from the University of Alabama Huntsville, is a licensed CPA in Alabama with over 25 years of experience in both public and private accounting. He has worked in both public accounting and served as a CFO in the industry. Jonathan founded his own practice in 2005, which merged with BMSS in 2018.
As a BMSS Member, he sits on the steering committee for firm management and leads the advisory practice area overseeing more than 10 business divisions. His expertise lies in Government Contract accounting, advising clients on various business matters including business formation, mergers and acquisitions, rate structure development, DCAA compliance, FAR compliance, and contract consulting.
As a BMSS Member, he sits on the steering committee for firm management and leads the advisory practice area overseeing more than 10 business divisions. His expertise lies in Government Contract accounting, advising clients on various business matters including business formation, mergers and acquisitions, rate structure development, DCAA compliance, FAR compliance, and contract consulting.