Supporting small businesses, before risks arise

Jennifer R. Collesano has worked with the nervous first-time business owner and the frustrated majority owners who discovered they can’t dismiss a company executive because of a poorly worded contract, as well as those worried about how to transition to new owners.

Because of that, the first thing she asks a client who wants to start a business is, “What’s the plan for exiting the business?”

That’s why Kenney Shelton Liptak Nowak brought Jennifer on as a partner. KSLN is enhancing its practice to offer corporate risk management — before the risk appears.

“We’ve been in business for 31 years and we are primarily a civil litigation defense firm,” said Patrick S. Kenney, founding and managing partner. “We want to be a civil litigation firm with a very strong business component.”

By offering clients a more comprehensive program of risk management and long-term strategy while maintaining strong civil litigation, KSLN is positioned to assist them throughout the life of their businesses.

Starting a business is the opportune occasion to tackle issues of governance and preserving its valuation before problems arise.

“These are the times when you can plan and control for uncontrollable events that can create problems in the future.”

That's the sentiment Jennifer shared with a group of small business owners at the Business Owner Summit. KSLN was a co-sponsor of the event May 21 at The Buffalo Club.

Jennifer brings 25 years as a commercial litigator in the D.C. Metro area and New York City, working on government contracts and with minority and women owned businesses. She has worked on complex projects with multiple stakeholders and constituencies, often involving public-private partnerships and joint ventures. She has litigated federal cases and was a lead counsel on behalf of the Buffalo Public Schools.

Thinking about how to exit a business before it is incorporated is not an exercise to dim a client's excitement, but instead to provide a sound structure that can survive expansion, contraction and unexpected events such as divorce, illness or death.

It gives attorneys like Jennifer the opportunity to learn about the venture and the owner’s plans, offering a steady hand on how to build a board and practice good corporate governance throughout the organization. If problems do occur, KSLN knows the business and its tenets and is well prepared to provide skilled counsel.

Jennifer R. Collesano shares her expertise and insights in how to build a healthy business through risk management during the Buffalo Business Summit on May 21 at The Buffalo Club.