Paul J. Vallone

Paul is the firm’s Family Business and Succession Planning Practice Leader.  A significant portion of Paul’s practice involves representing private companies, both domestically and internationally, in complex acquisitions and disposition transactions such as mergers, joint ventures, asset and stock sales, and private equity investments. These transactions have involved companies operating in a variety of industries, such as wood flooring sales and distribution; hardwood and lumber sales and distribution; specialty chemical manufacturing; the printing industry; the distribution of janitorial and cleaning supplies; the wholesale distribution of plumbing supplies; the pipeline inspection business; the retail grocery business; and the distribution of confectionery, chocolate, and specialty products.

Paul also provides general corporate and contract advice, including distribution agreements, sales representative agreements, license agreements, and employment agreements, both domestically and internationally, for clients involved in various industries, including specialty chemical manufacturing, industrial pumps, wood flooring sales and distribution, hardwood and lumber sales and distribution, pipeline inspection businesses, the sale and distribution of commercial lubricants, and several tool and die manufacturers. In addition, he advises numerous closely held companies in a variety of areas, including succession planning, shareholders agreements, ownership transfers, estate planning, and exit strategies.

Paul was a member of Hodgson Russ's board of directors for three terms and previously served on Hodgson Russ's Committee for Attorney Recruiting, Development, and Diversity.

Paul exclusively practices U.S. law and is admitted to practice in New York.

Related Experience

Paul has represented a current client in numerous acquisitions in the hardwood lumber and flooring distribution industry, including asset purchases, stock purchases, and joint ventures.

Paul represented a specialty chemical manufacturer in connection with the acquisition of a manufacturing plant in Europe. The transaction involved international tax planning, senior and subordinated debt financing, environmental issues, and responding to a governmental investigation of the effects of the transaction on competition in the marketplace. Paul also later represented that same specialty chemical manufacturer in the sale of the business to a private equity buyer.

Paul represented a manufacturer of branded, unbranded, and private-label confectionery products and its affiliate in a sale, merger, equity rollover, and refinancing transaction with a distributor of gourmet food and confections. The merger more than doubled the distributor’s annual revenue, while expanding the company’s geographic capabilities into the northeast.

In addition, Paul has experience representing several domestic, privately-owned businesses in connection with sales to public and foreign companies. Those clients conduct business in several different industries, including the wholesale distribution of plumbing supplies, pipeline inspection services, and the Jan/San industry.

Services

Education

Franklin & Marshall College, B.A.

University at Buffalo, M.B.A.

Albany Law School of Union University, J.D., cum laude

Admissions

• New York