Known for providing companies with insightful financial and tax analysis and strategic plans that add value, Partner Robert L. Handler believes in the importance of a thorough examination of the details of deal.
Mr. Handler chairs the firm’s corporate and business practice group. For over 20 years, Handler has advised all types of businesses, from sole proprietorships to Fortune 500 companies, including manufacturers in the apparel, automotive, real estate, high technology, entertainment and financial industries. His areas of practice and counsel include business entity formation, mergers and acquisitions, loans and financing, daily operational guidance, employee and executive compensation and exit strategies.
Prior to joining Ezra Brutzkus Gubner LLP, Mr. Handler was a partner at the Los Angeles law firm Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro.
Practice Emphasis
- Corporate and Business Transactions
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Business Advice and Counsel
- Licensing and Trademarks
- Commercial Real Estate
Qualifications/Memberships
- State Bars of California and Ohio
- Los Angeles Bar Association, Business and Corporations Law and International Law Sections
- California and American Bar Associations, Business Law Sections
- Financial Lawyers Conference
Education
- University of Southern California, J.D., 1979; Law Review, Member
- University of Michigan, B.A., 1976, with distinction
Representative matters:
- Decreased the debt load and restructured the business model of a domestic manufacturer as part of the sale of its principal division to a foreign-based multinational. The client, strengthened by an improved balance sheet, continued operating with its more profitable business segments.
- Advised and counseled an emerging growth technology company, obtained early-stage venture capital financing, developed employee and executive compensation models and negotiated software licensing agreements and real estate leases.
- Regularly provide issue specific and general advice to financial institutions with a primary focus on asset-based lending and factoring.
- Negotiated and counseled a lucrative licensing agreement for a high-profile floral designer with a national floral service provider.
- Structured and negotiated a licensing agreement on behalf of an eyewear maker with a celebrity fashion designer.
- Successfully represented a major Southern California apparel manufacturer when it was acquired by a large U.S.-based multinational.
- Counseled and guided an automotive specialty manufacturer during the sale of a division of the company to a foreign-based multinational.
- Represented a client financing an independent film for over $1 million.
- Represented the owner of an 80-unit motel in its sale to a national hospitality chain operator.