Jay McDaniel

Jay McDaniel: A Trusted Advisor for Closely Held Businesses

Guiding Entrepreneurs from Startup to Succession

Jay R. McDaniel brings over 30 years of experience as a business counselor and litigator, specializing in the unique challenges faced by closely held businesses. As Chair of the Business and Corporate Law Department at Weiner Law Group, Jay has built a career dedicated to safeguarding businesses and their owners at every stage of the business lifecycle.

A Multi-Faceted Approach to Business Advising

Decades of courtroom experience inform Jay’s work with closely held business owners. In that process, he has seen the same mistakes repeated, the loss of financial and personal legacies, and the profound effect that inadequate planning and preparation have on the families, workforce, and business partners of closely held businesses.

Closely Held Advisors was organized around the central principle that these costs — personal, professional and financial — are optional.  Planning and experience provide an alternative to the events that will threaten the viability of half of all businesses at some point during their existence. 

Jay’s expertise extends beyond litigation. He is both a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), qualifications that underscore his ability to offer a comprehensive perspective on business challenges. By combining legal acumen with financial insight, Jay empowers business owners to make informed decisions that protect and enhance their investment.

As a CVA, Jay excels at providing accurate and reliable business valuations, a critical element for mergers, acquisitions, estate planning, and ownership transitions. As a CEPA, he helps business owners prepare for successful exits by addressing value gaps, mitigating risks, and preserving legacy.

Expertise in Action

Jay’s practice revolves around three core tenets:

• Protect: Safeguard the business and its owners from legal, financial, and operational risks through strategic planning and proactive measures.
• Empower: Equip business owners with the tools and strategies needed to optimize value and drive growth.
• Guide: Navigate owners through complex transitions, ensuring a smooth process and successful outcomes.

Industry Experience and Leadership

Over the course of his career, Jay has advised clients across a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, professional services, and technology. His understanding of these sectors allows him to tailor his advice to meet the unique needs of each business. In addition to his legal practice, Jay serves as the editor and principal author of the Business Divorce Law Report, a resource for business owners and advisors addressing disputes and transitions within closely held businesses.

Specialized Services

Jay’s practice includes:

• Business Valuation: Providing precise valuations for transactions, litigation, and planning.
• Exit and Succession Planning: Designing strategies for ownership transitions that maximize value and achieve personal and professional goals.
• Bulletproofing: Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities to protect the business from risks and disruptions.
• Ownership Disputes: Resolving conflicts among shareholders, partners, and LLC members to preserve business stability.

Certifications That Matter

Jay’s qualifications reflect his dedication to closely held business owners:C

• Chair, Business and Corporate Law Department, Weiner Law Group, LLP: practice group that focuses on litigation, planning and transactional work with closely held businesses.
• Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA): Equipping business owners to navigate complex exit strategies while maximizing value.
• Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA): Ensuring accurate business valuations for critical decision-making.

Your Partner in Success

Jay’s commitment to his clients goes beyond legal advice. He is a trusted partner, helping business owners achieve their goals through thoughtful planning and proactive guidance. By addressing the unique challenges of closely held businesses, Jay empowers his clients to focus on what they do best: running and growing their businesses.

Connect with Jay McDaniel

Are you ready to take the next step in protecting, enhancing, or transitioning your business? Contact Jay McDaniel today to schedule a consultation and learn how Closely Held Advisors can help you achieve your business objectives.