Intro: Supporting Searchers Through Post‑Acquisition Disputes

Hi everyone — I’m Max Shafer, a commercial litigator based in North Carolina. I work with business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors when deals go sideways after closing, particularly in ETA, search fund, and lower‑middle‑market transactions. A significant part of my practice involves representing searchers and first‑time operators who have acquired a business and then discover post‑close issues that couldn't be fully modeled — things like earn‑out disputes, seller financing issues, indemnity claims, or alleged misrepresentations in financials. I occasionally work with sellers defending those same claims. In short, I see both sides of how these deals can break down once theory meets reality. I joined this platform to better understand what searchers are seeing before closing and to be a resource when questions arise post‑acquisition. I (at least I try to) write a lot about issues searchers face; so if there are specific issues you've come across, I'd love to hear about it and put together a resource. In the same vein, I would love any recommended reading or content that you've found helpful. Happy to be part of the community and to connect. Hope to talk to many of you soon!