Derek Early primarily represents businesses and high-net-worth individuals regarding business and real estate matters, including leases, real estate purchases/sales/exchanges, succession planning, and mergers and acquisitions. He also regularly collaborates with the firm’s estate planning attorneys and clients’ advisors to execute complex transactions.
Derek performs general counsel work for numerous privately held companies, and frequently counsels these clients regarding entity selection, designing and refining corporate governance structures, buy-sell agreements, risk management, and compliance. Much of his time is devoted to helping business owners develop and execute exit and succession plans to meet their personal, tax, and operational objectives. He also represents buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions, where the firm places particular emphasis on tax planning and structuring.
Derek has represented both landlords and tenants in numerous lease negotiations, and he frequently assists clients with sales transactions and financings. Much of his extensive experience has involved commercial shopping centers, but he also regularly deals with industrial, office, multi-family, and rental properties. He also assists clients with developing strategies to address property tax and income tax issues relating to their real estate.
Before joining Brown & Streza LLP, he litigated numerous business disputes and employment issues, providing him with an understanding of clients’ risks and concerns relating to the litigation process.
During law school, Derek was a Managing Editor for the Indiana Law Journal and President of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society.
In 2000, Derek won an Ivy League Championship as a member of the University of Pennsylvania’s football team.
