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Jeffrey A. D. Cohen focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions for private equity funds, technology companies and government contractors. In this role, he leads complex domestic and cross-border transactions for strategic and private equity-backed companies across a range of industries and industry verticals. Jeff also regularly advises clients in the areas of general corporate matters, corporate governance, and securities regulations.
Having served over 20 years as trusted adviser to private equity professionals and entrepreneurs, he is known for his ability to focus on key issues, partner with clients on working toward their goals, and understand issues from both a business and legal perspective.
Known as one of the country’s leading small business advocates, Sharon Heaton, founder of sbLiftOff, is an avidly sought speaker on small business, growth strategies and M&A. “I founded sbLiftOff,” says Heaton, “to serve those special people who sit at their kitchen table come up with an idea, start a business, hire people, pay their taxes, and fuel our economy. Small business owners are the backbone of the American economy, and we are honored to make sure they get a fair deal.” sbLiftOff serves commercial and government contracting companies with $10 million to $100 million in revenues and more than $2 million in EBITDA.
Heaton’s book, LIFT OFF: 12 Things to Know Before You Sell Your Company, published by FORBES, is available on Amazon. Appointed to the Small Business Administration’s Investment Capital Advisory Committee, she is working nationally to increase small business access to investment capital. Heaton publishes in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Washington Business Journal, Alabama.com and regional outlets around the country.
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. She co-founded Wellford Energy Group, an investment bank serving clean energy and low carbon companies. 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.
As a Managing Director with Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contractor Industry practice, Eric helps clients of varying size and complexity navigate the business and compliance requirements that come with working alongside the Federal Government. Eric assists clients with addressing the complexities that come with federal contracting by providing a "real-world" approach to accounting, cost accounting and pricing, system processes and contract management services.
He has helped clients with a range of solutions from helping to prepare Forward Pricing Rate Proposals (FPRP), Incurred Cost Submissions, providing support regarding the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), internal audits, contract management and guidance related to Small Business regulations. Additionally, Eric has guided clients to properly implement business system requirements, navigate government audits and provide proposal pricing support.
Eric began his career as an intern at Cherry Bekaert. Prior to rejoining Cherry Bekaert in 2015, Eric worked at a Big Four firm's advisory practice for four years. There, he primarily focused on providing accounting and contracting support to companies in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and Cost Accounting Standards.