Business owners often spend years growing revenue, hiring teams, and building value, but what happens if a partner dies, becomes disabled, or wants out?

In this episode, Robert Schlesinger and Dan Paikin speak with Howard Koh, Partner at Meister Seelig & Schuster, about why operating agreements, buy-sell planning, key person coverage, and clear valuation rules matter before problems appear. Howard explains how written agreements can reduce costly disputes, how funding can protect continuity, and what owners should review before a future sale.

Howard discusses:

• Why business owners should plan for partner death, disability, retirement, and disagreements early
• How operating agreements create rules when partners no longer agree on the next move
• Why funded buy-sell agreements can reduce delays, conflict, and pressure on the business
• How key person coverage helps address revenue loss, payroll, rent, and replacement costs
• What owners should review before a sale, from books and contracts to HR and IP ownership
• And more!

Connect with Tempus Financial Group:

• Tempus Financial Group
• LinkedIn: Daniel Paikin, RICP®
• LinkedIn: Robert Schlesinger
• LinkedIn: Tempus Financial Group
• tempusinfo@tempus-financial.com
• 516-672-0784

Connect with Howard Koh:

• LinkedIn: Howard Koh
• Website: Meister Seelig & Schuster

About our Guest:

Howard Koh has built his career on one principle: when businesses face high-stakes real estate disputes in New York City, they deserve a relentless advocate in their corner. Known as The Guardian of Real Estate Rights, Howard has spent more than 30 years protecting and enforcing the real estate rights of business clients across the full spectrum of disputes: commercial landlord-tenant conflicts, commercial mortgage foreclosures, mezzanine debt, mechanic’s liens, construction disputes, and partnership disagreements.

Howard represents both sides of the table with equal command. Whether advocating for landlords or tenants, lenders or borrowers, owners or contractors, Howard brings a strategic, aggressive approach that consistently delivers results. Howard’s clients trust him not only to fight hard in the courtroom, but to negotiate with precision and advise with clarity.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell Law School, Howard began his career at Proskauer Rose, an AM Law 100 firm, and now practices at Meister Seelig & Schuster, where he has built his practice and reputation over the past 25 years.