About Us
The Anti “No” Department.
With over 80 ETA deals completed, 20+ years of combined experience, and north of $50Bn in transactions closed, we’re here to work closely with you and manage the process the right way.
We believe in doing deals the right way.
At Groundswell, we bring over two decades of experience running over $50B in transactions to the table. We’ve led teams at leading global legal and strategy firms, including Gibson Dunn, Orrick, Skadden Arps, and Boston Consulting Group. We’ve even started and sold our own companies.
All that to say, we’ve seen more than a few deals, and believe in managing the process the right way. We treat our clients as teammates, and take their best interests to heart. We are attentive to the details, but focus on the big stuff. We are risk assessors, and not the “no” department. We are into closing deals, not maximizing fees.
We aim to work closely with our clients, and build lasting, long-term relationships by providing the best client service and experience possible. Our team offers pedigree without the pretension; premium services without the rigamarole. We’re responsive, proactive, and pretty fun to hang out with.
Just ask our clients / surf buddies.
Your teammates,
M + M + H + T
The Word on the Beach
Reliable & Efficient
“Working with Mark on my business acquisition was an excellent experience from start to finish. He was proactive, consistently staying on top of every detail until the deal closed. Unlike other lawyers who might get bogged down in less important matters, Mark kept a clear focus on the big picture and how to best help me achieve my goals. Even though my deal structure was relatively straightforward, Mark handled everything with impressive efficiency, keeping his services affordable—my total costs came to just over $7,000. Beyond his professionalism and expertise, he was always a pleasure to interact with. If you’re looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and efficient lawyer for an M&A deal, I couldn’t recommend Mark more highly. ”
Greyson Boerner
Acquired a niche restoration company in Southern California.
A Bright Future
“Groundswell's expertise was invaluable during our acquisition process. Their team was incredibly knowledgeable, guiding us through every step with clarity and confidence. They made us feel comfortable even during the most complex negotiations, and their insights undoubtedly made a significant difference in achieving the best possible outcome.”
Emily and Eric Bua
Acquired a CA-based e-commerce lighting company.
Streamlining Deals
“Having only ever read articles and watched YouTube videos about the M&A process, the Groundswell team was able to advise me throughout the process and not just legal. What I learned is that everything is a legal problem because everything gets filtered through legal and cemented in the purchase agreement, and because these guys specialize in M&A they were able to pick apart everything from the LOI and purchase agreement to taxes, financials, diligence, etc. They were able to sniff out what didn’t make sense and that helped me negotiate from a position of strength. They were able to see around corners, that’s invaluable. I’d be remisss if I didn’t add that they were incredibly responsive, especially on days that it mattered. 10/10 would hire again.”
John Acevedo
Acquired an over-the-top streaming platform.
Partnership Subscription
“Mark and Hal are, without a doubt, the attorneys you want on your team in an M&A transaction. I worked with Groundswell for my first ever acquisition, and given that I didn't come from a PE background, I was unaware of a lot of the intricacies of M&A law. Mark and Hal guided me through every step of the process and were able to get quite creative and work with me on the non-traditional deal structure I ended up closing with. Additionally, they're both great humans -- the type of attorneys you actually like speaking to and spending time with. I can't recommend them enough!”
Jessi Beyer
Acquired a controlling stake in a subscription consumer goods business.
More Than Just a Job
I have been through 3 acquisitions and have never liked the legal team. They wanted to always just get the job done. Hal and team were different. They were all about me and protecting me and my interests during the entire acquisition process. Offering advice, counsel, and best paths forward. I will be using Hal and his team for every acquisition moving forward.
Bill McGlade
Acquired an online marketing agency.
Meet Your Team
We believe great client relationships lead to better deals. That's why we focus on exceptional client service aimed at building long-term relationships and lasting partnerships. Premium services delivered with a down-to-earth approach: pretense-free, rigamarole-light, and ego-optional.
We’re responsive, proactive, and pretty fun to hang out with.
Just ask our clients / surf buddies.
