By Jacob Murad ( September 15, 2026, 11:40 AM EDT) -- Over the past several years, I have bought a number of small, closely held businesses, including professional firms like law firms. Along the way our team has learned that the legal process of getting a deal done is not something to hand off entirely to counsel and wait. This is because many times, lawyers may have drafting and negotiation experience but aren’t too helpful at driving the transaction to its end while helping buyers make decisions. Buyers who understand what’s happening at each stage — and why — will close their transaction, on better terms, with less drama....