Overview
Stuart maintains a diverse practice, including many long-standing client relationships. His primary focus is on mergers and acquisitions, business planning, and federal tax issues.
Clients across multiple industries value Stuart’s knowledge and experience, as well as his responsiveness to their concerns in the following areas:
- Coordination of M&A transactions, including recapitalizations, restructurings, and asset sales
- Public and private operating company transactions
- Private equity and venture capital investment and financing transactions
- Counsel on federal income tax strategies
Stuart’s work has been honored by Chambers USA, which has ranked him among America’s Leading Lawyers for Business every year since 2005.
Experience
Solutions in action
Representative matters include:
- Multimillion dollar M&A transactions, including business sales, asset sales, acquisitions, joint ventures, and mergers
- Business financing and recapitalization initiatives, including loans, lines of credit, and restructurings
- Representation of public and private concerns, as well as private equity and venture capital investors
- Counsel on federal income tax planning and strategy
- Sell-Side Acquisitions
- Represented private company in sale of assets to private equity group for purchase price in excess of $100,000,000
- Represented Questar Corporation in sale of assets to SoCal Gas
- Represented private company sale of assets to Hewlett-Packard for purchase price in excess of $25,000,000
- Buy-Side Acquisition
- Represented private equity group in acquisition of numerous Hertz franchises
- Represented private company in acquisition of numerous security alarm companies
- Mergers/Restructurings/Financings
- Represented private company in connection with credit facility in excess of $150,000,000
- Represented Sinclair Oil Corporation in corporate restructuring
- Represented Equity Oil Company in merger with Whiting Petroleum Corporation
Credentials
- New York University, Master of Laws (LL.M.), 1980
- Tulane University Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1979, cum laude
- Tulane University, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), 1979
- Tulane University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), 1975, cum laude
- Utah
- Selected to Mergers & Acquisitions, Business & Corporate Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers®, 2019-2022
- Named Client Service All-Star by BTI Consulting Group, Inc., 2018
- Utah Legal Elite, Corporate Law & Transactions, Utah Business magazine, 2017-present
- Best Lawyers®, Corporate Law, 2010-present
- Leading Corporate/M&A Lawyer, Chambers USA, 2005-present
Insights

Michael Best Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America 2027 List
Michael Best is proud to announce that 150 attorneys have been selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2027 list, with representation across 52 different practice areas across the nation. In addition, the firm is also excited to share that six attorneys have been named to the 2027 edition of the “Lawyer of the Year” list, which is a prestigious designation of a single lawyer in each specific practice area and location. 33 attorneys have also been named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2027 list.Read
Aug 20, 2026

Forty-Seven Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2026 Rankings
Michael Best is pleased to announce that 47 attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA.Read
Jun 4, 2026

Michael Best Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America 2026 List
Michael Best is proud to announce the selection of 104 firm attorneys to The Best Lawyers in America 2026 list, with representation across 48 different areas of legal practice nationwide.Read
Aug 21, 2025
