John D. Celani
Partner
Let us guide you through the legal aspects of your next business opportunity or threat. Whatever your situation is, a careful, customized and practical approach will make sure your interests are both prioritized and legally enforceable.
John regularly represents clients in a variety of transactional matters, including: the purchase and sale of all or part of their businesses; business succession planning; corporate governance; partnership arrangements; joint ventures; business entity formations; franchise law; financing transactions; real estate purchase, sale & lease; and the structuring and drafting of business-to-business contracts in a variety of industries, including without limitation manufacturing, entertainment, technology, construction, and healthcare.
John also acts as general counsel to entrepreneurs, closely-held businesses, and family businesses regarding the legal framework of all aspects of their operations and ownership, including start-up, financing, risk management, compliance, sale, succession, and contract disputes.
John makes it a point to understand his client’s business at the outset of representation in order to adequately protect their interests. His training and accreditation as a certified exit planning advisor from the Exit Planning Institute and his extensive educational and professional background serve his clients in doing so. He has earned a B.S. in Accounting, an M.B.A. with a concentration in Financial Services, a J.D. and an LL.M in Tax. His professional background includes working in various positions within the transportation industry prior to entering the legal field, and he currently provides sell-side M&A advisory services through an unaffiliated organization.
John has been selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers list as a Rising Star in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Practice Areas:
Manufacturing; Small Business and Entrepreneurial; Construction and Demolition; Energy and Environmental; Healthcare; and Hospitality
New York State Bar Association; Bar Association of Erie County; Woman’s Bar Association of the State of New York; John has also taught business law as an adjunct professor in the Canisius College accounting program.
New York; Florida; United States Court of Federal Claims; United States District Court for the Western District of New York; United States Bankruptcy Court Western District of New York
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA)
University of Miami School of Law, LL.M. in Tax
University of Miami School of Law, J.D., cum laude
Canisius College, M.B.A.
Canisius College, B.S., cum laude