In the law of corporations, a merger is effected when one or more corporations becomes a part of, or merges, with another corporation so that one ceases to exist and the other continues to exist. In a merger, the company that continues to exist retains its name and identity and acquires the assets, liabilities, franchises, and powers of the corporation that ceases to exist. Attorneys who practice in mergers and acquisitions (sometimes called M & A) represent corporations and other business entities in strategizing, negotiating, and carrying out transactions in which two or more companies or corporations combine into a single new entity, a merger, or where one business purchases and absorbs the assets of another, an acquisition.
Braselton is a town in Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall, and Jackson Counties in the U.S. state of Georgia, about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,206. Census Estimates for 2005 show a population of 2,294. The Gwinnett and Barrow county portions of Braselton are part of the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Marietta, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the Hall County portion is part of both the Atlanta and Gainesville, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The remaining Jackson County portion of Braselton is not part of any Core Based Statistical Area. Braselton was named after the Braselton family that has lived in the area for some time. The town was bought from the Braselton Families by a partnership between the Ameritech Pension fund and actress Kim Basinger in 1989 for $20 million. The Basinger-Braselton partnership hoped to establish Braselton as a tourist attraction with movie studios and a film festival. Basinger eventually sold her minor portion to the Ameritech Fund when she met financial difficulties. Much of the town's property is under the ownership of developer Wayne Mason. It is the home of Chateau Elan Winery. It is also the headquarters of the American Junior Golf Association, IMSA, the Panoz Motor Sports Group, and the Road Atlanta race track. Also found are the newly arrived major distribution warehouses for Sears Appliance Division, Year One, Tractor Supply, Haverty's Furniture and Home Depot Distribution Center.