what kind of attorney reviews common stock purchase agreement

by Isadore Hirthe 9 min read

In addition to reviewing the financing aspect for mergers and acquisitions, M&A attorneys also provide invaluable advice relating to drafting and negotiations of contracts for stock purchase sales. A good M&A attorney will also share his or her knowledge of mergers and acquisitions law on a local, state, and federal level.

To help make sure that the stock purchase agreement is completed correctly and without shortcuts, it is important to hire a mergers and acquisitions attorney. For more information, contact the M&A attorneys at OFP Law.Apr 22, 2019

Full Answer

What does an attorney for stock disputes do?

Common Stock Purchase Agreement - 1-800-ATTORNEY Inc. and Robert J. Lyszczarz: Learn more about this contract and other key contractual terms and issues by viewing the many sample contracts FindLaw has to offer in our Corporate Counsel Center.

What do you need to know about a stock purchase agreement?

AGREEMENT. Section 1. Sale and Issuance of Common Stock. 1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company has authorized the sale and issuance (the " Issuance " to Purchaser of the Shares. At the Closing (as defined in Section 2.1 ), the Company shall sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, the ...

What is a stock purchase agreement (SPA)?

Apr 26, 2021 · Owning a stock confers many rights to the owner, or stockholder. A stockholder, or shareholder, has the right to a share of the company’s earnings. They also have voting rights which may be used to vote on certain corporate decisions, such as the election of the board of directors. This may sound like a large amount of power, but that depends ...

What is the purchase and sale provision of common stock?

The importance of a lawyer’s review of an Agreement of Purchase & Sale. An Agreement of Purchase and Sale, once signed, and once all of the conditions (for example, financing and home inspection) have been waived or fulfilled is a binding contract between the buyer and seller which cannot be changed unless both parties agree to do so. Usually ...

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Is a stock purchase agreement legally binding?

Stock purchase agreements (SPAs) are legally binding contracts between shareholders and companies. Also known as share purchase agreements, these contracts establish all of the terms and conditions related to the sale of a company's stocks.

Who prepare the purchase agreement?

Most commonly, the buyer's real estate agent will write up and prepare the purchase agreement. Note that agents (not being practicing attorneys themselves) cannot create their own contracts.

What should I look for in a stock purchase agreement?

The major sections of the stock purchase agreement are as follows. Sellers should particularly pay attention to the purchase and sale of stock, and the representations and warranties section.Jul 23, 2020

Who are the parties to a stock purchase agreement?

A stock purchase agreement, also known as an SPA, is a contract between buyers and sellers of company shares. This legal document transfers the ownership of stock and detail the terms of shares bought and sold by both parties.

How binding is a purchase agreement?

A purchase contract is as legally binding as is stated in the agreement itself. A purchase agreement should stipulate acceptable reasons for a buyer backing out of a purchase. Otherwise, once it's signed, you stand to lose your earnest money deposit should you break your contract.Oct 12, 2021

What happens after a purchase agreement is signed?

Once the purchase agreement is signed and the earnest money is deposited, the buyer has the legal right to purchase the property should all agreed upon conditions be satisfied.Aug 15, 2019

Can you exclude assets from a stock purchase agreement?

Purchased Assets and Excluded Assets

This can manifest in the agreement in one of two ways - the agreement can list only the assets that the buyer will choose to purchase, or an agreement can state that the buyer will purchase all the assets of the business, excluding certain listed assets.
Apr 24, 2015

What happens to employees in a stock purchase agreement?

The employees who are employed by the target entity will generally come with the transaction, like a stock purchase. If certain employees at the seller/parent company provide significant services to the target entity, then the transaction will act like an asset purchase with respect to this group of employees.Apr 21, 2021

How does a share purchase agreement work?

A share purchase agreement (“SPA”) is typically entered into by and between a buyer and seller(s) of a target company's shares whereby the seller(s) agrees to sell a specific number of shares to the buyer for a specified price.Mar 12, 2020

What is a restricted stock purchase agreement?

A restricted stock purchase agreement is a type of written agreement that places restrictions on the stockholder's rights with respect to the shares being issued. The restrictions generally restrict selling, transferring, etc.Mar 17, 2015

What is a common stock sales agreement?

A stock purchase agreement is an agreement that two parties sign when shares of a company are being bought or sold. These agreements are often used by small corporations who sell stock. Either the company or shareholders in the organization can sell stock to buyers.Oct 26, 2020

What is a stock purchase agreement?

A stock purchase agreement (SPA) is a common M&A contract used to take control of another company by buying all or a majority of another company’s shares. The legal entity of the company remains intact, as do any contracts, assets, partnerships, supply agreements, and major elements of the business. Control simply changes over to the buyer. A SPA specifies how many shares will be purchased and (in cases where not all shares are transferred in the sale) what kind of control the buyer gains after the transaction is complete.

How to buy another company?

A common way to buy another company is to simply become a majority or total shareholder through a stock purchase agreement. In M&A transactions, stock purchase agreements are a complex, yet much-used tool to allow companies to acquire other companies. If you are considering any merger or acquisition, especially through a notoriously complex ...

What is SPA in a transaction?

In a SPA, this is usually a very long, detailed section, as risk is a major factor in the transaction that must be allocated and established. In some cases, the buyer will not take on certain liabilities, making them instead something that the seller must deal with before the transaction can be completed. Purchase Price.

What is material adverse change clause?

A material adverse change clause allows both parties terminate a transaction in the event of certain, specified types of major adverse changes to the state of the company before closing. Closing Conditions. Usually, there are conditions that must be satisfied or waived before the SPA can be closed.

What is the difference between SPA and APA?

Logistics. The basic structure of SPAs and APAs differs greatly. A SPA transfers full ownership of the company through a purchase of stock. An APA transfers operations of the company through purchases of major assets, including equipment, property, leaseholds, licenses, client lists, trade secrets, trade names, and inventory.

What is SPA in accounting?

A SPA transfers full ownership of the company through a purchase of stock. An APA transfers operations of the company through purchases of major assets, including equipment, property, leaseholds, licenses, client lists, trade secrets, trade names, and inventory. Usually such deals include no cash and no debt.

What is APA in a company?

In an APA, buyers can "step-up" the company's depreciable basis in its assets, thereby getting a beneficial tax position. The seller, on the other hand, will pay ordinary taxes (not capital gains taxes) on proceeds related to tangible assets sold for a higher overall tax burden. Transfers.

What is tax representation and warranties?

Tax representations and warranties cover a number of tax concerns, including, but not limited to: filing of tax returns, payment of taxes, tax liens, sufficiency of tax reserves, audit history, tax sharing agreements, FIRPTA, and a number of other tax issues. Tax representations and warranties are used as part of the tax diligence process and also form the basis for buyer’s recourse through the indemnification provisions for pre-closing tax exposures.

What are tax covenants?

Tax covenants also cover an array of future tax related actions, including making tax elections, filing of future tax returns, payment of taxes, handling of tax refunds, filing of amended returns, and dealing with tax audits for pre-closing periods.

What is tax representation?

Tax representations and warranties are used as part of the tax diligence process and also form the basis for buyer’s recourse through the indemnification provisions for pre-closing tax exposures. The accuracy of the representations and warranties, as of the closing date, may also be a condition to closing.

What is tax indemnification?

Tax indemnification is a promise to pay for taxes incurred that contradict the agreement of the parties, generally embodied in the tax representations and warranties. Indemnification is usually an option in private deals, but the value of indemnification is contingent on seller’s creditworthiness.

What is an asset purchase agreement?

An asset purchase agreement (APA) might benefit a buyer who wants to exclude liabilities or redundant assets. For example, a target may have uncollectible accounts receivable.

What is a stock acquisition?

In a stock deal, the buyer purchases shares directly from the shareholder. Stock acquisitions are the most common form of acquiring a private business. They are mostly used by small corporations selling stock, but not usually when the owner is the sole stockholder, or when the buyer is acquiring 100% of the stock.

What is SPA in stock?

A stock purchase agreement (SPA) is the contract that two parties, the buyers and the company or shareholders, written consent is required by law when shares of the company are being bought or sold for any dollar amount. In a stock deal, the buyer purchases shares directly from the shareholder.

What is representation and warranties?

Representations and warranties of the seller and buyer – Here the buyer and seller list all of the statements they are signing off to be true. For example, the seller warrants that they own the stock, and that the corporation is in good standing, and where the buyer warrants their ability to consummate the transaction.

What is an APA?

An asset purchase agreement (APA) might benefit a buyer who wants to exclude liabilities or redundant assets. For example, a target may have uncollectible accounts receivable. All assets and liabilities being bought and sold must be itemized in the APA.

What is the difference between common stock and preferred stock?

One major difference between preferred and common stock is that common stock has variable returns while preferred stock has a guaranteed, fixed dividend.

What is the right of a stockholder?

A stockholder, or shareholder, has the right to a share of the company’s earnings. They also have voting rights which may be used to vote on certain corporate decisions, such as the election of the board of directors. This may sound like a large amount of power, but that depends on how many shares the stockholder owns.

What is the most common type of stock?

The more stock an individual owns, the more assets or earnings they are entitled. There are two different kinds of stock, common and preferred. Common stock is, as the name suggests, the most common type of stock. When stock is discussed, it is generally common stock. This type of stock is considered the most risky of investments.

Is common stock more risky than preferred stock?

When stock is discussed, it is generally common stock. This type of stock is considered the most risky of investments. It is considered more risky than preferred stock. Preferred stock is similar to common stock in that it gives the stockholder ownership in a company.

What is preferred shareholder?

A preferred shareholder will receive payment before a common shareholder in the event of a company liquidation. The stock is also callable, meaning it may be repurchased by the company at any time and for any reason. The majority of companies will divide their stock into different classes.

Why do companies divide their stock into different classes?

These classes are designated by letters. This is done in order to keep voting rights isolated to a particular group. Stock prices may change based on the economic concept of supply and demand.

How do stock prices change?

Stock prices may change based on the economic concept of supply and demand. The more stock that is purchased, the higher the stock price increases. The inverse is also true. The less the stock is purchased, the more the price will decrease.

What is an agreement of purchase and sale?

An Agreement of Purchase and Sale, once signed, and once all of the conditions (for example, financing and home inspection) have been waived or fulfilled is a binding contract between the buyer and seller which cannot be changed unless both parties agree to do so.

What is financing condition?

A financing condition allows a buyer to terminate the Agreement of Purchase and Sale if he does not qualify for financing. No matter how friendly your banker may be, if you qualify for financing he will not assist you in terminating the Agreement by delivering to you a letter stating that you do not qualify for financing if in fact you do.

What is due diligence review?

The Purchaser shall have completed the due diligence review of the business, results of operations, condition (financial and otherwise), prospects, assets and liabilities of the Company and its business and the results of such due diligence shall be satisfactory to the Purchaser in its sole and absolute discretion.

Is a party to this agreement liable for any other party's losses?

No party to this Agreement is liable to any other party for losses due to, or if it is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of, acts of God, fire, war, terrorism, floods, strikes, electrical outages, equipment or transmission failure, or other causes reasonably beyond its control.

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Defining Stock Purchase Agreements

  • A stock purchase agreement (SPA) is a common M&A contract used to take control of another company by buying all or a majority of another company’s shares. The legal entity of the company remains intact, as do any contracts, assets, partnerships, supply agreements, and major elements of the business. Control simply changes over to the buyer. A SPA s...
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Key Provisions of Spas

  • A stock purchase agreement is in many ways similar to other contracts the complete mergers and acquisitions or purchases, but there are some distinctions. The following are some of the key terms and provisions found in SPAs. 1. Execution. These provisions detail how the transfer of shares will take place and the number of shares being transferred, including any rights that com…
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Stock Purchase Agreement vs. Asset Purchase Agreement

  • Another common way to acquire another company is through an asset purchase agreement (APA). Deciding which option is better for your company will depend on many factors. The following are the major differences in how stock purchase agreements vs. asset purchase agreements work in M&A transactions: 1. Logistics. The basic structure of SPAs and APAs diffe…
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FAQ

  • When is a stock purchase agreement more desirable than an asset purchase agreement?
    It depends. Generally, buyers prefer asset purchase agreements, while sellers prefer stock purchase agreements, but the specific circumstances of a company can change this calculation. If you are not sure which will be preferable for your acquisition, it may help to speak with an M&…
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