TZL 1611 (web)

TRANSACTIONS PAPE-DAWSON ACQUIRES FLORIDA- BASED BONNETT DESIGN GROUP Pape- Dawson has acquired Bonnett Design Group, a respected Maitland-based firm specializing in landscape architecture and planning. This acquisition marks Pape-Dawson’s fourth in Florida, further strengthening its capabilities and enhancing the comprehensive services available to clients across Florida. An established leading provider of civil engineering, surveying, and related professional services, Pape-Dawson has strategically expanded its presence in Florida through acquiring Poulos & Bennett (2023), GradyMinor (2024), and Morris Engineering (2025). Bonnett

Design Group brings specialized expertise in landscape architecture and planning, allowing the firm’s Florida teams to offer an enhanced, one-stop approach to infrastructure and land development projects. “The addition of BDG strengthens our commitment to providing our Florida clients with comprehensive, multidisciplinary services,” said Trey Dawson, president of Pape-Dawson. “Together, we will elevate the value we bring to our clients and deliver design solutions that merge Bonnett Design Group’s visionary community planning with engineering precision.”

“Joining Pape-Dawson marks an exciting new chapter for us,” said Todd W. Bonnett, Principal of Bonnett Design Group. “Our shared values, combined strengths, and expanded resources will empower us to deliver even more impactful, sustainable designs throughout the state.” “We’re thrilled to welcome Todd and the talented team at BDG to the Pape- Dawson Florida family,” said Lance Bennett of Orlando-based Poulos & Bennett, a Pape-Dawson Company. “We look forward to collaborating and building an even stronger network of expertise for our clients and communities.”

confirming that all registrations align with the new business structure. You will also need to formally notify the Secretaries of State of any changes in stock classes or the number of shares issued/outstanding, entity name, or principal office address. Professional licensing boards must be informed of new leadership, changes in ownership, or other qualifying details that could affect firm licensure. Overlooking these steps can result in penalties, lapses in good standing, or even license suspension, all of which can disrupt M&A is a huge opportunity, but only if state compliance is part of the blueprint. Deals are becoming more complex, especially with new ownership models and multi-state operations. Firms that place state compliance at the center of their strategy will be in a much better position for long-term success. If you are planning to explore a transaction, now is the time to bring in your advisors and map out your state compliance plan. It is one of the best moves you can make toward the success of your deal. ACCELERATE YOUR DEAL’S SUCCESS operations and decrease return on investment. POSITION YOUR DEAL FOR SUSTAINED VALUE Join us for our upcoming webinar, Strategic M&A Planning: State Compliance in A/E Transactions, where a panel of state advisory, M&A, and tax experts will break down the compliance considerations that can make or break a deal. Whether you’re preparing for a leadership transition, a partner buyout, or a full merger or acquisition, understanding state-specific requirements is essential. SN’s panel will help attendees address and manage these complexities with confidence, positioning your transaction for long-term success. Karen Poist, CPA, is managing director of state advisory services at Stamaugh Ness. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

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remedies such as voluntary disclosure agreements or settlement strategies before moving forward. Cleaning things up ahead of the deal can help avoid price adjustments, escrow holdbacks, or, worse, no deal. A/E LICENSING AND ENTITY STRUCTURE: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE M&A Licensing for architecture and engineering firms varies by state, with each state having its own requirements. Some states license both the firm and individual professionals, while others have rules on who can own or control the business. On top of that, certain entity structures, such as PCs, PLLCs, or LLPs, have naming rules and ownership restrictions. Changing ownership and entity structures through the M&A process can unintentionally void a firm’s professional licenses if you are not careful. HOW DEAL STRUCTURE CREATES NEW STATE TAX EXPOSURE State and local tax planning often gets less attention than federal tax, but it is just as important. A poorly structured deal can lead to unexpected exposure to state income tax, franchise tax, sales tax, gross receipts tax, or even employment tax. M&A activity can also expand your footprint into new jurisdictions, bringing new filing obligations and compliance you did not plan for. POST-CLOSING COMPLIANCE: FINAL STEPS TO PROTECT M&A VALUE The work does not stop once the deal closes. Finalizing an M&A transaction requires careful attention to post-closing compliance tasks that are just as critical as the upfront due diligence. This includes filing final state and local tax returns for dissolved or merged entities, closing out old tax accounts, and

THE ZWEIG LETTER DECEMBER 1, 2025, ISSUE 1611

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