What Breaks First After a DESPAC: The Deal or the Company?

In this episode, host Chaz Churchwell is joined by securities attorney Morris Zarif, founder of Zarif Law Group, for a deep conversation on legal readiness, governance discipline, and the hidden risks private companies face when pursuing a DESPAC transaction.Morris brings more than a decade of capital markets experience and breaks down what he consistently sees go wrong for targets that wait too long to prepare. From corporate governance cleanup and IP ownership to board structure, diligence gaps, and cost surprises, this episode gives leaders a clear look at what actually matters before and after going public.Key topics include:Litigation patterns emerging from DESPAC transactionsWhy governance gaps derail deals and increase riskHow early legal preparation protects valuationThe importance of experienced advisors and consultantsHidden costs beyond legal fees, including audit and D&O exposureWhat founders must change in mindset to operate as a public companyThis is a practical, experience driven conversation designed to help private companies approach the public markets with discipline, clarity, and confidence.If you are considering a DESPAC or preparing for life as a public company, this episode is essential listening.The DESPAC Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this content constitutes legal, investment, tax, or financial advice, nor a recommendation to pursue or avoid any transaction. Consult qualified legal, financial, and tax professionals before acting on any information discussed. News Theme 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/THE DESPAC PODCAST  DISCLAIMERThe DESPAC Podcast is for informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of One Iron Network LLC, its affiliates, or any sponsoring organization.Nothing in this podcast should be interpreted as legal advice, investment advice, tax advice, or a recommendation to pursue or avoid any transaction. Discussions may reference SPACs, DESPAC transactions, securities regulations, or public-company readiness frameworks. These conversations are educational in nature and should not be relied upon when making financial or strategic decisions.Listeners should consult qualified legal, financial, and tax professionals before acting on any information discussed in this podcast. Any examples or scenarios mentioned are illustrative and may not reflect current market conditions or regulatory requirements.Participation by a guest does not constitute an endorsement of any company, strategy, product, or service. References to specific firms or individuals are for context only.One Iron Network LLC and the DESPAC Podcast disclaim all liability arising from the use of or reliance on the information presented.