Dean Street Law Review: A White-Glove Corporate Law Firm for Business Buyers
When you’re acquiring a business, the quality of your legal representation can significantly impact the outcome of your deal. Dean Street Law, a corporate law firm based in the greater Philadelphia area, has positioned itself as a premium legal services provider for business transactions, including acquisitions. In this review, we’ll examine what Dean Street Law offers, their experience level, and whether they’re the right fit for your business acquisition needs.
About Dean Street Law
Dean Street Law describes itself as a “white glove corporate law firm” serving the greater Philadelphia area. The firm is led by attorney Laura, who brings a combination of corporate law experience and a client-first approach to business transactions. Key highlights of the firm include:
- 10+ years of corporate law experience
- $4 billion+ in transactions handled across various deal types
- Barred in both Delaware and Pennsylvania — two critical jurisdictions for business law
- Experience serving clients ranging from entrepreneurs and small businesses to private equity firms and Fortune 500 companies
- Featured in notable publications and media outlets
Being barred in Delaware is particularly valuable for business acquisitions, as many companies are incorporated in Delaware due to its business-friendly legal framework.
Services Offered
Dean Street Law provides a range of corporate legal services relevant to business buyers:
Business Acquisitions & M&A
- Asset purchase and stock purchase agreement drafting and negotiation
- Legal due diligence review
- Deal structuring and strategy
- Closing coordination and documentation
- Post-closing transition support
Corporate Formation & Governance
- Entity formation and structuring for acquisitions
- Operating agreements and bylaws
- Corporate governance documentation
- Partnership and joint venture agreements
Real Estate Transactions
- Commercial lease review and negotiation
- Real estate acquisition support
- Lease assignment for business transfers
General Business Law
- Contract review and negotiation
- Employment agreements and non-competes
- Regulatory compliance
- Business dispute resolution
What Makes Dean Street Law Different?
1. The White-Glove Approach
Dean Street Law emphasizes a premium, high-touch client experience. Their onboarding process is structured and transparent:
- Free 15-minute consultation to discuss your needs and determine fit
- Detailed discussion of your legal matter, goals, and how they can support you
- Custom proposal outlining scope of work and expected fees
- Engagement letter and deposit to formalize the relationship
- Full-service representation with a legal team supporting you at every step
This structured approach gives clients clarity on costs and expectations before committing, which is especially valuable for first-time business buyers who may not know what to expect from legal representation.
2. Dual Jurisdiction Advantage
Being barred in both Pennsylvania and Delaware gives Dean Street Law a unique advantage. Many businesses, especially LLCs and corporations, are formed in Delaware. Having an attorney who can navigate both state jurisdictions streamlines the acquisition process and can eliminate the need to engage separate counsel for Delaware-related matters.
3. Range of Client Experience
While many acquisition attorneys focus exclusively on either small deals or large corporate transactions, Dean Street Law has experience across the spectrum — from entrepreneur-led acquisitions to Fortune 500 transactions. This breadth means they can apply sophisticated legal strategies from larger deals to smaller transactions, giving SMB buyers access to enterprise-grade legal thinking.
4. Integrated Real Estate Expertise
Many business acquisitions involve real estate components — whether it’s a commercial lease that needs to be assigned, a property that’s part of the deal, or a new lease that needs to be negotiated. Dean Street Law’s real estate capabilities mean you can handle both the business and real estate aspects of your acquisition with one firm.
Who Is Dean Street Law Best For?
- Business buyers in the Philadelphia/Delaware/Pennsylvania region who want local counsel with deep knowledge of state-specific regulations
- Acquirers of Delaware-incorporated entities who need counsel barred in that jurisdiction
- Buyers who value a premium, high-touch experience and want a structured, transparent engagement process
- Entrepreneurs making their first acquisition who benefit from the firm’s broad experience and clear communication style
- Deals with real estate components where integrated legal expertise across business and property law is valuable
Potential Considerations
- Geographic focus: While Dean Street Law can likely handle deals in various locations, their primary jurisdiction is Pennsylvania and Delaware. Buyers in other states may want to confirm the firm’s ability to handle their specific deal.
- Broad practice: Unlike some firms that focus exclusively on SMB acquisitions, Dean Street Law handles a wider range of corporate law matters. Depending on your needs, you may prefer a firm with a narrower acquisition focus.
- Premium positioning: The “white glove” approach typically comes with premium pricing. Budget-conscious buyers should discuss fees upfront during the free consultation.
Client Feedback
Client testimonials highlight the firm’s dedication and quality of work. One real estate client, Delchester Developers, noted: “From the beginning, we have valued Laura and her team’s legal efforts. From lease agreement reviews to complicated real estate transactions, we plan to continue using the services of Dean Street Law in the future because we are so satisfied by the quality of her work and her dedication to her clients.”
This type of long-term client relationship speaks to the firm’s reliability and consistent service quality — qualities that matter significantly when you’re entrusting a major business acquisition to a legal team.
Why You Need an Attorney Experienced in SBA Deals
If you’re financing your business acquisition with an SBA loan, having an attorney who understands SBA requirements is crucial. Here’s why:
- SBA-specific deal structures: SBA 7(a) loans have requirements around equity injection, standby seller notes, and change of ownership that must be reflected correctly in your purchase agreement.
- Lender coordination: Your attorney will need to work closely with the SBA lender to ensure all closing documents meet their requirements. An attorney unfamiliar with this process can cause costly delays.
- Compliance documentation: SBA deals require specific representations, warranties, and covenants that differ from conventional acquisition financing.
- Lease requirements: SBA lenders often have specific requirements about lease terms and assignments. Your attorney needs to negotiate leases that satisfy both the landlord and the lender.
- Personal guarantee implications: Understanding how SBA personal guarantees interact with the purchase agreement’s indemnification provisions is essential for protecting your interests.
- Timing sensitivity: SBA loan commitments have expiration dates. Your attorney needs to manage the legal timeline to close before the commitment expires.
How GoSBA Works Alongside Your Attorney
At GoSBA (gosbaloans.com), we specialize in SBA acquisition financing. While your attorney like Dean Street Law handles the legal aspects of your deal, GoSBA provides complementary services that help ensure a successful closing:
- SBA loan packaging and submission: We prepare comprehensive loan packages that meet lender requirements from day one.
- Lender selection: We match you with SBA lenders experienced in business acquisition loans who offer competitive terms and understand the timeline pressures of M&A deals.
- Deal structure optimization: We help you structure the deal in a way that maximizes your chances of SBA approval while meeting your financial goals.
- Parallel processing: While your attorney handles due diligence and document negotiation, we’re simultaneously advancing your loan through underwriting — keeping both workstreams moving in parallel.
- Communication bridge: We facilitate communication between your attorney, the lender, and other parties to prevent the miscommunications that often delay closings.
The most successful acquisitions happen when the legal team and the financing team work in sync. GoSBA is built to be that financing partner.
Final Verdict: Is Dean Street Law Right for You?
Dean Street Law offers a polished, professional approach to business acquisition legal services. With a decade of corporate law experience, $4 billion+ in transaction value, and dual jurisdiction capabilities in Pennsylvania and Delaware, the firm brings serious credentials to the table.
For buyers in the Mid-Atlantic region who value a structured, high-touch legal experience, Dean Street Law is worth serious consideration. Their broad range of corporate law services also means they can support you not just through the acquisition, but also in the ongoing legal needs of your newly acquired business.
Ready to Finance Your Business Acquisition?
If you’re planning to buy a business with an SBA loan, GoSBA is here to help you secure the right financing. We work alongside quality legal firms like Dean Street Law to make sure your deal closes on time and on terms that work for you.
Contact GoSBA today to start your SBA loan process and take the next step toward business ownership.
