Clear Focus Law Review: Your Go-To Attorney for Buying a Small Business
If you’re in the process of acquiring a small business — especially through an SBA loan — choosing the right attorney can make or break your deal. Clear Focus Law, founded by Eric Hsu, has built a reputation as one of the most focused and experienced buy-side M&A law firms in the small business acquisition space. In this review, we’ll break down what Clear Focus Law offers, who Eric Hsu is, and whether this firm is the right fit for your next business acquisition.
Who Is Eric Hsu?
Eric Hsu is the founder of Clear Focus Law and an exclusively buy-side M&A attorney. He’s well-known in the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) community, where he goes by @Lawyer4SMBs on Twitter/X. His online presence has made him one of the most recognizable names in SMB acquisition law.
Here’s what sets Eric apart:
- 100+ deals closed worth a combined $210+ million
- 200+ clients advised on various aspects of M&A transactions
- 11+ years as a small business lawyer working directly with business owners
- Exclusively buy-side — he only represents buyers, never sellers
- Active thought leader sharing educational content on Twitter and through his newsletter
Eric’s exclusive focus on the buy-side means he doesn’t have conflicts of interest that can arise when a firm represents both buyers and sellers. When you hire Clear Focus Law, you know the entire team is aligned with your interests as the acquirer.
Services Offered by Clear Focus Law
Clear Focus Law is structured to support entrepreneurs at every stage of the business acquisition journey. Their services include:
Planning & Research Stage
- Initial consultations for entrepreneurs who are still exploring acquisition opportunities
- Education on deal structures, legal considerations, and what to expect during the process
- Guidance on building your acquisition thesis and search strategy from a legal perspective
Pre-LOI Consulting
- Review and advice before you submit a Letter of Intent
- Help structuring your offer to protect your interests
- Identifying potential red flags before you commit to a deal
- LOI drafting and negotiation support
Full Deal Representation
- Comprehensive legal due diligence
- Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) or Stock Purchase Agreement drafting and negotiation
- SBA loan document review and coordination with lenders
- Seller note structuring and negotiation
- Non-compete and employment agreement drafting
- Lease assignment and review
- Closing coordination and document management
What Makes Clear Focus Law Different?
The SMB acquisition legal space has grown significantly in recent years, but Clear Focus Law stands out for several reasons:
1. Niche Specialization
Many business attorneys handle acquisitions as one of many practice areas. Eric Hsu and Clear Focus Law do one thing: help entrepreneurs buy businesses. This laser focus means they’ve seen virtually every scenario that can arise in a small business acquisition, from tricky earnout structures to complex SBA compliance issues.
2. ETA Community Presence
Eric’s active presence in the ETA community through Twitter (@Lawyer4SMBs) means he’s constantly engaged with the latest trends, deal structures, and challenges facing business buyers. He regularly shares educational threads about deal negotiation, due diligence pitfalls, and legal strategies that benefit the entire community.
3. Buyer-Only Representation
By exclusively representing buyers, Clear Focus Law has developed deep expertise in the specific challenges acquirers face. They understand buyer concerns like:
- Protecting against seller misrepresentations
- Structuring holdbacks and escrow arrangements
- Negotiating favorable indemnification terms
- Ensuring smooth transitions with employees, customers, and vendors
4. Free Meet & Greet Calls
Clear Focus Law offers free initial consultations (meet & greet calls) so potential clients can determine if the firm is a good fit before committing. This no-pressure approach reflects their confidence in the value they provide.
Who Is Clear Focus Law Best For?
Clear Focus Law is an excellent choice for:
- First-time business buyers who need an experienced attorney to guide them through their first acquisition
- ETA searchers looking for an attorney who understands the search fund and self-funded search models
- SBA loan borrowers who need an attorney familiar with SBA 7(a) loan requirements and closing procedures
- Serial acquirers who want a trusted legal partner for multiple deals
- Buyers seeking deals in the $500K–$5M range — the sweet spot for SMB acquisitions
Potential Considerations
No firm is perfect for every situation. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- High demand: Given Eric’s reputation and limited capacity, availability may be limited during busy deal seasons. It’s advisable to reach out early in your process.
- SMB focus: If you’re looking at larger middle-market deals ($10M+), a firm with middle-market M&A experience might be more appropriate.
- Geographic flexibility: Clear Focus Law works with clients across the country, but it’s worth confirming they can handle deals in your specific state, especially regarding local regulatory requirements.
Client Testimonials and Reputation
Eric Hsu maintains strong reviews on Avvo.com and regularly receives testimonials from satisfied clients. His reputation in the ETA community is well-established, with many buyers finding him through referrals from other entrepreneurs, brokers, and SBA lenders.
The firm’s transparency — encouraging potential clients to read third-party reviews before engaging — speaks to the confidence they have in their service quality.
Why You Need an Attorney Experienced in SBA Deals
Buying a business with an SBA loan isn’t like a typical M&A transaction. SBA 7(a) loans come with specific requirements that can derail a deal if your attorney isn’t familiar with them:
- Equity injection requirements: SBA loans require the buyer to contribute a certain percentage of equity. Your attorney needs to understand what counts as equity and how to structure the deal accordingly.
- Standby seller notes: If the seller is providing financing, the SBA has specific rules about standby periods and payment terms. An inexperienced attorney might draft a seller note that violates SBA guidelines.
- Change of ownership provisions: Leases, contracts, and licenses often need to be assigned or renegotiated. An SBA-experienced attorney knows which assignments are critical for loan approval.
- Closing timeline coordination: SBA deals involve the buyer, seller, lender, and often the landlord. Your attorney needs to coordinate all parties to meet the lender’s closing requirements.
- Personal guarantees and collateral: Understanding SBA personal guarantee requirements and how they affect the buyer’s risk profile is essential.
An attorney who regularly handles SBA acquisitions — like Clear Focus Law — already knows these requirements inside and out, saving you time, money, and potential deal-killing mistakes.
How GoSBA Works Alongside Your Attorney
At GoSBA (gosbaloans.com), we specialize in helping business buyers secure SBA financing for their acquisitions. While your attorney handles the legal side of the transaction, GoSBA focuses on:
- SBA loan packaging: We prepare your loan package to meet lender requirements, increasing your chances of approval.
- Lender matching: We connect you with SBA lenders who are experienced in business acquisition loans and offer competitive terms.
- Deal structuring guidance: We help you understand how different deal structures affect your SBA loan eligibility and terms.
- Timeline coordination: We work alongside your attorney to ensure the financing and legal aspects of your deal stay synchronized.
- Pre-qualification: Before you even make an offer, we can help you understand your borrowing capacity and what deals are within reach.
The best outcomes happen when your attorney and your SBA loan advisor work together as a team. GoSBA and firms like Clear Focus Law complement each other perfectly — we handle the financing, they handle the legal work, and you close your deal with confidence.
Final Verdict: Is Clear Focus Law Right for You?
If you’re buying a small business and want an attorney who lives and breathes SMB acquisitions, Clear Focus Law is one of the strongest choices available. Eric Hsu’s track record of 100+ closed deals, his thought leadership in the ETA community, and his exclusive focus on buy-side representation make Clear Focus Law a top-tier option for business buyers.
For entrepreneurs using SBA financing, having an attorney like Eric who understands the nuances of SBA deal requirements can be the difference between a smooth closing and a failed transaction.
Ready to Get Started on Your Business Acquisition?
If you’re looking to buy a business with an SBA loan, GoSBA can help you secure the financing you need. We work alongside experienced attorneys like Clear Focus Law to ensure your deal closes successfully.
Contact GoSBA today to discuss your acquisition financing needs and take the first step toward owning your own business.
