Founders Legal Review: Boutique IP and Corporate Law for Small Business Acquisitions
Acquiring a small business through an SBA loan requires more than just finding the right target and securing financing — you need an attorney who understands the unique challenges of entrepreneurial deal-making. Founders Legal (formally Bekiares Eliezer LLP) is a boutique law firm that brings big-firm expertise with the DNA of a tech founder, making them an intriguing option for SBA acquisition buyers.
Featured on VerSquare.com — the trusted review platform for SMB deal professionals — Founders Legal has carved out a niche serving founders, entrepreneurs, and small business buyers. In this review, we’ll dive deep into what they offer, their strengths, and whether they’re the right fit for your SBA-financed acquisition.
Firm Overview: Big Law Expertise, Tech Founder DNA
Founders Legal describes themselves with a compelling tagline: “Big Law Expertise. Tech Founder DNA.” This isn’t just marketing — it captures their fundamental approach. The firm was built by attorneys who understand what it’s like to be a founder, and they’ve structured their practice to serve entrepreneurs at every stage of the business lifecycle.
Key facts about Founders Legal:
- Type: Boutique law firm
- Core Specialties: Intellectual property, corporate law, transactional law, technology law
- Target Clients: Founders, entrepreneurs, startups, and small business buyers
- M&A Focus: Micro PE transactions and small business acquisitions
- Website: founderslegal.com
Practice Areas Relevant to SBA Acquisitions
Business & Corporate Law
Founders Legal’s business and corporate law practice covers the full spectrum of what SBA buyers need:
- Entity Formation: Structuring your acquisition entity (LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp) for optimal tax treatment and liability protection
- Corporate Governance: Setting up proper governance structures for your newly acquired business
- Contracts and Agreements: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating purchase agreements, seller notes, and transition agreements
- Mergers & Acquisitions: End-to-end transaction support from LOI through closing
- Capital Raising: Navigating securities compliance if you’re raising equity alongside your SBA loan
Intellectual Property Law
One area where Founders Legal truly excels — and differentiates from typical M&A boutiques — is their deep intellectual property expertise. This is increasingly important for SBA acquisition buyers because:
- Brand Protection: When you buy a business, you’re buying its brand. Founders Legal can ensure trademarks, trade names, and brand assets are properly transferred and protected.
- Technology Assets: If your target business has proprietary software, processes, or technology, you need IP counsel who can properly evaluate and transfer those assets.
- Trade Secrets: Many small businesses derive significant value from trade secrets — customer lists, recipes, manufacturing processes. Founders Legal understands how to protect these during and after the acquisition.
- IP Due Diligence: Identifying whether the target actually owns its intellectual property, or if there are licensing issues, infringement risks, or gaps in protection.
Micro PE Transactions
Founders Legal has specific experience in micro private equity transactions — the acquisition of small businesses by individual buyers or small investment groups. This is exactly the type of deal most SBA buyers are pursuing, and having counsel who understands the micro PE ecosystem is invaluable.
Micro PE transactions have unique characteristics:
- Purchase prices typically range from $500K to $5M
- Buyers are often first-time acquirers
- Deals frequently involve SBA 7(a) financing
- Seller financing is commonly part of the deal structure
- The buyer plans to operate the business (not just invest passively)
Why M&A Attorneys Matter for SBA Acquisitions
Many first-time buyers underestimate the importance of specialized legal counsel for SBA acquisitions. Here’s why working with an experienced M&A attorney like those at Founders Legal is essential:
The Purchase Agreement Is Your Lifeline
Your Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) or Stock Purchase Agreement (SPA) is the single most important document in your acquisition. It defines:
- Exactly what you’re buying (and what you’re not)
- The seller’s promises about the condition of the business (representations and warranties)
- Your recourse if those promises turn out to be false (indemnification)
- Conditions that must be met before closing
- Post-closing obligations like seller transition support and non-compete agreements
SBA-Specific Legal Requirements
- Equity Injection Documentation: SBA requires buyers to document their equity injection source — your attorney must ensure this is properly structured and documented
- Standby Seller Note Requirements: If the seller is providing financing, the SBA has specific requirements about standby periods and payment terms. Your attorney needs to draft compliant seller note documents.
- Business Valuation Support: While your lender will order a valuation, your attorney should understand how valuation methodologies impact deal structure and purchase price allocation
- Closing Document Coordination: SBA closings involve extensive documentation from multiple parties. Your M&A attorney serves as quarterback, ensuring all legal documents are consistent and compliant.
Protecting Against Hidden Liabilities
Small businesses often have liabilities that aren’t immediately apparent:
- Unpaid taxes or tax liens
- Pending or threatened litigation
- Environmental issues
- Employee classification problems (1099 vs. W-2)
- Undisclosed debts or obligations
An experienced M&A attorney conducts thorough due diligence to uncover these issues before you close — when you still have leverage to renegotiate or walk away.
Founders Legal’s Strengths for SBA Buyers
Boutique Attention, Big Firm Capability
- Partner-Level Attention: At a boutique firm, you’re more likely to work directly with senior attorneys who personally handle your deal — not junior associates learning on your dime.
- Nimble and Responsive: Founders Legal describes themselves as “nimble and focused,” which translates to faster response times and more flexible engagement models.
- Founder Mindset: Their attorneys understand the entrepreneurial perspective because they’ve built a business themselves. They appreciate the stakes involved when you’re putting your savings into an acquisition.
The IP Advantage
For buyers acquiring businesses with significant intellectual property — technology companies, brands, creative businesses, or companies with proprietary processes — Founders Legal’s IP expertise is a major differentiator. Most M&A boutiques refer IP matters to outside counsel, but Founders Legal handles it all in-house.
Ideal Client Profile
Founders Legal is best suited for:
- First-time buyers acquiring businesses in the $500K to $5M range
- Technology company acquisitions where IP assets are a significant portion of the value
- Micro PE operators building small portfolios of businesses
- Buyers who value the boutique experience — working with senior attorneys who know their name and understand their deal
How GoSBA Loans Can Help You Close Your Deal
Great legal counsel is one piece of the acquisition puzzle. Equally important is having the right SBA lender in your corner. GoSBA Loans is a free service that matches acquisition buyers with the ideal SBA lender for their specific deal.
Here’s what GoSBA Loans brings to the table:
- Network of 50+ SBA Lenders: Not all SBA lenders are created equal. GoSBA connects you with lenders who specialize in business acquisitions — not just traditional small business loans.
- $320M+ in Funded Deals: GoSBA has a proven track record, having facilitated over $320 million in SBA acquisition financing.
- Free Professional Business Plan: Every GoSBA client receives a professionally written business plan — valued at $2,500 to $5,000 — at no cost. This is a critical component of your SBA loan application.
- Completely Free Service: GoSBA charges borrowers nothing. Zero. The service is funded by lending partners.
- Acquisition Expertise: The GoSBA team understands the nuances of SBA 7(a) acquisition financing, including deal structure, equity injection requirements, and lender preferences.
Whether you’re working with Founders Legal on the legal side or another trusted M&A firm, GoSBA ensures you have the right financing partner to get your deal across the finish line.
Ready to secure your SBA acquisition financing? Contact GoSBA Loans today for a free consultation and professional business plan. Your next business is waiting.
Final Verdict on Founders Legal
Founders Legal brings a unique combination of boutique attention, entrepreneurial DNA, and deep intellectual property expertise to the SBA acquisition space. For buyers acquiring technology companies, brand-driven businesses, or any target with significant IP assets, they offer capabilities that most small M&A firms simply don’t have.
Their experience with micro PE transactions means they understand the economics and dynamics of small business acquisitions, and their boutique structure ensures you get senior-level attention throughout your deal. If you’re a first-time buyer or micro PE operator looking for counsel that “gets it,” Founders Legal is worth serious consideration.
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