Self-Study: ExitPro Plus CEOA Module 7: Legal and Regulatory Consideratio

Brett Heeger, Gundzik Gundzik Heeger LLP

Brett Heeger focuses on transactional corporate and securities matters with a passion for community economic development and social enterprise. He supports a wide range of client companies, leveraging legal tools to support all of their goals: from profit and growth, to impact and inclusion. Brett’s clients come from a range of industries, from food and tech, to real estate, consulting, and financial services.

Brett has substantial experience leading clients through the process of planning for and bringing investment into their companies. From designing and managing friends and family rounds, direct public offerings (DPOs), navigating Regulation A+ and public company compliance, to negotiating venture investments and exit opportunities, Brett prides himself on his ability to work with clients to find the right investment tools and opportunities to position their business for success.

Brett also leads the firm’s social enterprise and worker-owned cooperative efforts in Southern California. He has represented multiple cooperatives and members, and regularly presents and advises on legal matters for new and existing co-ops and social-impact minded businesses in Los Angeles. In law school, he co-founded the Community Enterprise Project, a clinical program where students engage in transactional law projects in support of under-served communities across Boston. From 2012 – 2014, Brett led projects and case teams in areas such as not-for-profit organization governance, food truck permitting and development, and urban agriculture.

Brett lives in Los Angeles with his partner, their three children, and their mostly good dog.

Michael Pasahow, Faegre Drinker

Michael Pasahow is a trusted adviser to corporate clients who focuses on employee benefits law and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) transactions. In particular, he counsels businesses, fiduciaries and investment funds on the design and use of ESOPs and other tax-qualified plans to facilitate ownership transitions. Clients rely on Michael to implement ESOP stock purchase transactions, and he partners with clients to devise competitive employee benefits plans while also minimizing corporate taxes and protecting the bottom line. Michael also advises clients on the benefits implications of corporate transactions.