ALSPs: The “Secret” to a Better M&A Due Diligence Process
Mergers, acquisitions and divestitures can unlock powerful strategic advantages for small and midsize businesses (SMBs). But they also come with significant risk, especially when due diligence is rushed or poorly executed.
Mergers, acquisitions and divestitures can unlock powerful strategic advantages for small and midsize businesses (SMBs). But they also come with significant risk, especially when due diligence is rushed or poorly executed. Without an in-house legal team, SMBs are more likely to encounter issues such as incomplete documentation, overlooked compliance obligations and missed deadlines—any of which can delay timelines, increase costs or derail the deal entirely.
According to Fortune, 70-75% of SMB M&A deals underperform or fail, frequently due to lack of thorough financial, legal and operational diligence. That’s why proactive planning from the earliest stages of a transaction is essential.
Enter alternative legal services providers (ALSPs).
ALSPs offer flexible, experienced support across the deal lifecycle—from pre-closing through to post-closing—allowing business leaders to focus on strategy and execution instead of document management and compliance hurdles.
Streamlining Due Diligence: The ALSP Advantage
ALSPs provide cost-effective, scalable legal support tailored to the needs of SMBs. In M&A transactions, they serve as an operational extension of the leadership team, streamlining each stage of the due diligence process:
Pre-Closing Preparation
- Organize due diligence documents
- Draft ancillary agreements
- Perform UCC and public records searches
- Build deal checklists that track key milestones
Closing Coordination
- Prepare and review closing documents, such as secretary’s certificates, officer’s certificates, merger filings and charter amendments
- Draft shareholder and board consents
- Obtain good standing and tax clearance certificates
- Coordinate signatures, manage logistics and file final documents (e.g., UCC statements, amended charters)
Post-Closing Follow-Through
- Submit final filing
- Update entity records
- Support integration and ensure no detail is missed after the close
By handling these time-intensive, deadline-driven and essential tasks, ALSPs help maintain compliance, minimize risk and allow executive leadership to concentrate on overall business growth, synergy planning and integration steps.
How Agile Legal Helps
Agile Legal protects your interests while optimizing the value of a transaction. Our hands-on, detail-oriented approach ensures compliance with local and international regulations, reduces the risk of disputes and supports a smooth transition during post-merger integration.
We provide end-to-end M&A support—from drafting and reviewing letters of intent, through due diligence, all the way to post-closing—to keep deals on track. Whether you’re acquiring a new company, merging operations or divesting assets, we help you navigate the M&A process with confidence.
Start Strong: Better M&A Outcomes with the Right Support
M&A transactions are complex—but your legal processes don’t have to be. With Agile Legal, you gain a trusted partner who delivers efficient, accurate and compliant support that keeps your deal moving and your goals on track.
Whether you’re a buyer or seller, let us help you prepare, execute and close with confidence.
