The Legal Mistakes That Kill Business Exits (And How to Avoid Them) with Matthew Fornaro

"Have the uncomfortable conversation now instead of having the really uncomfortable conversation later." Most founders think about legal protection only after something goes wrong. That's backwards. In this episode of Built to Finish, Steven sits down with business attorney Matthew Fornaro to discuss why legal structure, governance, contracts, and documentation should be part of every founder's strategy from day one, not just when preparing to sell. They dive into what buyers actually look for during due diligence, why handshake agreements create massive risk, how poor documentation can destroy multimillion-dollar exits, and why your attorney should be part of your business long before litigation ever appears. They also discuss AI's growing role in professional services, where it helps, where it fails, and why human expertise still matters. If you're building a business with the goal of creating long-term value, or eventually selling it, this conversation could save you years of expensive mistakes. Key Takeaways Why legal planning begins before launching your business The biggest mistakes founders make with LLCs and corporate structure Why governance documents matter more than most entrepreneurs realize How missing paperwork can derail acquisitions The importance of contracts for every business relationship When founders should begin preparing for an exit Why attorneys and accountants should be year-round advisors The hidden costs of partnership disputes How buyers evaluate legal risk during due diligence AI's strengths—and dangerous limitations—in legal work Connect with Matthew Fornaro Website: https://fornarolegal.com Connect with Steven Pivnik Website: https://stevenpivnik.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpivnik Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpivnik