Paul Gardner is a partner in the firm's private business practice division. He has been assisting business owners for more than 35 years. Clients rely upon Paul for advice on a wide range of business and legal issues, including identification and valuation of businesses for sale or purchase, purchase and sale transactions, regulatory issues, license and franchise matters, shareholder relationships, contract negotiations, business and succession planning issues, and litigation. This broad experience—together with a tax and accounting background—provide Paul with unique insights not only to facilitate complex commercial transactions but also to manage and effectively resolve business disputes and controversies that so often arise to distract and frustrate business owners. Through his years of experience acting as outside general counsel and trusted advisor to private businesses, Paul understands the importance and value of being able to bring a diverse team of professionals to assist clients. Paul relies on the vast experience and knowledge within Stinson Leonard Street to assist clients when they have specialized legal issues and business needs. In that same manner, same Paul also acts as mediator and other facilitator in formal dispute resolution proceedings involving commercial controversies with the goal of developing responsible and financially sensible legal solutions for real world problems.