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.
Ashland is a town in Benton County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 577 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Benton County. Ashland was incorporated on March 8, 1871 and has a Mayor-Alderman form of government. Mitch Carroll is the 28th Mayor of the Town of Ashland, and Sandra Gresham, Fort Knighton, Bobby Miller, Billy Taylor and Shannon Wilburn make up the present Board of Aldermen. William H. "Bill" Stone was elected to Mississippi State Senate in November 2007 and a special election was held in the town of Ashland to fill mayoral vacancy. Mitch Carroll defeated brother Mike Carroll by 17 votes to secure the position. Ashland is the home of the Farese Law Firm, a regional firm renowned for its criminal and civil work. The firm has most recently been involved in the high profile Mary Winkler case from Selmer, Tennessee. Ashland is also home of Bill Renick, a 2007 candidate for Governor of Mississippi. Willie Mitchell, the legendary Memphis musician, owner of Hi Records, and producer of Al Green, is also from here.