Business Law
Why every closely held business needs a buy–sell agreement
A clear buy–sell agreement removes ambiguity and protects the company when ownership changes. Here's what to include and when to revisit it.
May 28, 2026 · 6 min read
Hartwell & Reed Law · Established 1998
Practical legal guidance.
Trusted counsel.
Helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate important legal decisions with clarity and confidence.
25+
Years of practice
600+
Clients served
4
Core practice areas
A+
AV Preeminent rating
About the firm
A boutique firm built on craft, candor, and long relationships.
For more than two decades, Hartwell & Reed has counseled clients on the matters that shape their families and their companies — from forming a first business to transferring a multigenerational estate. We take fewer cases, and we know them well.
Meet our attorneysPractice Areas
How we help
Business Law
Counsel for formation, contracts, governance, and growth.
Estate Planning
Wills, trusts, and legacy planning for families and individuals.
Real Estate Law
Transactions, leasing, and land-use guidance you can rely on.
Small Business Advisory
Ongoing counsel for owner-operated companies — the day-to-day decisions, and the ones that change everything.
In our clients' words
“They treat our business as if it were their own — patient when we need to think, decisive when we need to act.”
— Founder & CEO, regional manufacturing company
Attorneys
Counsel you'll know by name
Marcus Hartwell
Founding Partner
Eleanor Reed
Managing Partner
Andre Whitfield
Partner
Mei Tanaka
Senior Counsel
Insights
Notes from the practice
Estate Planning
Trusts vs. wills: choosing the right foundation for your estate
Trusts and wills serve different purposes. Understanding the trade-offs helps you build a plan that fits your family and your goals.
May 14, 2026 · 8 min read
Real Estate Law
Five commercial lease clauses tenants quietly regret
Before you sign, look closely at these provisions — they shape the economics of your tenancy for years to come.
April 30, 2026 · 5 min read
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