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“My main goal is assisting clients with achieving their objectives.”

Marcel J. Bernier is a member of the firm's Business Law and Tax, Health Care and Trusts & Estates practices.

Marcel has practiced corporate, limited liability company and tax law for over 40 years and is very effective at assisting clients with achieving their objectives. He serves as general counsel to many businesses and provides advice with respect to structuring new business entities, acquisitions, sales, mergers, reorganizations, deferred compensation, phantom equity plans, buy-sell agreements and business succession planning.

He has drafted over 100 operating agreements, employment agreements and buy-sell agreements. He has completed hundreds of business purchase and sale transactions. His accounting and tax background are helpful in structuring and negotiating business transactions and business succession agreements.

Marcel represents many family businesses with respect to general business matters and business succession planning. He is the author of “Preserving Your Business for the Next Generation,” Chapter 3 of The ABA Practical Guide to Estate Planning, published by the ABA, 2011. (Click here to read Chapter 3 of the Guide).

He is the author of "Business Exit Strategies" published by the Hartford Business Journal. (Click here to read the article). He is also the author of "The Connecticut Uniform Limited Liability Company Act" published by the Connecticut Lawyer in May of 2017. (Click here to read the article).

He represents many professional firms, including medical, engineering and law practices with respect to practice acquisitions and sales, the admission and the retirement of partners, employment agreements, operating agreements, buy-sell agreements and practice succession planning.

Marcel advises high-net-worth clients with respect to estate planning, minimizing federal and Connecticut estate taxes and probate and trust administration matters.

Marcel was a co-chair of the Connecticut Bar Association Committee which drafted the Connecticut Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. (Click here to view his testimony supporting the Connecticut Uniform LLC Act). He also was a member of the Connecticut Bar Association Committee which drafted the Connecticut Entity Transactions Act.

  • "The Connecticut Uniform Limited Liability Company Act," Connecticut Lawyer (May 2017)

  • “Preserving Your Business for the Next Generation,” Chapter 3 of The ABA Practical Guide to Estate Planning (2011)

  • “Business Exit Strategies,” Hartford Business Journal (May 2010)

  • "Preserving Your Family Business for the Next Generation," Exit Planning Exchange Panel (November 2018)

  • "Drafting Enforceable Restrictive Covenants," Connecticut Bar Association Business Law Section Seminar (November 2018)

  • "Acquiring a Business," panel for business owners (October 2018)

  • "Unlock the Value of Your Business," Apella Capital Panel (September 2018)

  • "Preparing for the Exit," KeyBank Panel (June 2018)

  • "Assess, Grow and Capture the Value of Your Business," Apella Capital Panel (May 2018)

  • "Connecticut Uniform LLC Act," Federal Tax Institute of New England Seminar (November 2017)

  • "Unlock the Value of Your Business," Apella Capital Panel (October 2017)

  • "Buy Sell Agreements & Business Exit Strategies," Sagemark Consulting (October 2017)

  • "How to Maximize the Value of Your Business," MetroHartford Alliance Member Seminar (May 2017)

  • “Connecticut Uniform LLC Act,” Connecticut Bar Association Seminars  (September 2015, June 2016, September 2016, April 2017 and June 2017)

  • "Preparing for Business Transitions," for business owners (April 2017)

  • “Connecticut Uniform LLC Act,” Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants Seminar (October 2016)

  • “Learn How Your Business Stacks Up,” seminar for business owners (February and June 2016)

  • “Drafting Enforceable Restrictive Covenants,” Connecticut Bar Association Business Law Section Seminar (May 2014)

  • “Connecticut Entity Transactions Act,” Connecticut Bar Association Seminar (March 2014)

  • “LLC Developments,” Connecticut Bar Association Business Law Section Seminar (November 2013)

  • “LLC Fiduciary Duties - To Be or Not to Be? That is the Question,” Connecticut Bar Association Seminar (June 2013)

  • “Letters of Intent for Business Purchase and Sale Transactions,” M&A Source Seminar (May 2011 and June 2013)

  • “Exiting Your Business, Protecting Your Wealth - Legal Agreements,” Pinnacle Equity Solutions Seminar (June 2009 and September 2010)

  • “Duties of a Director of a Nonprofit Corporation,” Connecticut State Medical Society Directors Seminar (May 2010)

  • “Buy Sell Agreements and Business Exit Strategies,” seminar for business owners (October 2009)

  • American Bar Association

    • Section of Business Law

    • Section of Taxation

  • Connecticut Bar Association

    • Business Law Section Executive Committee

    • Tax Section Executive Committee

  • West Avon Congregational Church

    • Past Chair of the Board of Deacons

    • Past Chair of the Personnel Committee

    • Past Chair of the Rebuilding Together Hartford Committee

    • Past Chair of the Search Committee

    • Past Chair of the Youth Council

    • Past Member of the Board of Christian Education

    • Past Member of the Church Council

    • Past Member of the Capital Campaign Committee

    • Past Member of the Endowment Committee

Areas of Focus

Services

pdf

Credentials

Education

  • Boston University (LL.M. in Taxation)
  • University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D.)
  • Florida State University (B.A. in Accounting and Finance, magna cum laude)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Connecticut
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut