Architecture and engineering and other professional services firms operate at the intersection of professional licensing, ownership restrictions, business succession, and industry-specific growth. Morningstar Law Group’s architecture and engineering lawyers bring decades of deep experience advising professional service firms as well as private equity investors, on structuring acquisitions and sales transactions, ownership succession, professional licensing compliance, financing, and day-to-day business matters.
Who We Represent
Morningstar Law Group represents local, regional, and national clients across the architecture, engineering, professional services and construction ecosystem, including:
- Architecture firms
- Engineering firms
- Expediting firms
- Interior design firms
- Landscape architecture firms
- Geology firms
- General Contractors
- Private equity investors
- Surveying firms
What We Do
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Ownership Succession
Morningstar Law Group regularly advises A&E and other professional services firms, owners, investors, and executives on acquisitions, dispositions, and ownership succession matters, including transactions involving employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). This work extends across North America, including the United States and Canada.
Multi-State Professional Licensing and Compliance
Morningstar Law Group advises firms on structuring their operations in compliance with professional and entity licensing requirements in every state of the United States and some foreign jurisdictions. Very few firms have the depth of experience in advising firms how to structure their operations throughout the United States in a way that complies with the patch work of state licensing laws that apply to professional service firms. We also represent clients in disciplinary and other matters before licensing boards.
Grandfathered Entities: North Carolina Pre-69 and New York Grandfathers
Morningstar Law Group advises North Carolina firms on licensing compliance, particularly the acquisition of pre-69 grandfathered entities that are exempt from North Carolina’s licensee ownership requirements and with respect to New York, acquisition of New York grandfathered entities.
Financing and Capital Structure
Morningstar Law Group advises firms on financing issues, including stock issuances and debt transactions, ownership-related financing issues, and transaction-related capital structure considerations.
General Business Issues
Morningstar Law Group assists professional service firms with ongoing business and legal issues, including employment law, mechanics liens, contracts and other day to day issues while serving as outside general counsel.
Our architecture and engineering lawyers are frequently invited to speak at A/E/C industry conferences, including those conducted by advocacy groups such as the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and investment banking firms that specialize in the A/E/C space.
