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.
Missoula is a city in and the county seat of Missoula County, Montana, United States. The population was 57,053 at the 2000 census The 2008 Census Bureau estimate puts the city's metropolitan area population at 107,320 as of July 1, 2008, making it the second-largest city and metropolitan area in Montana. It is the largest media market in the state. Missoula is the home of the University of Montana. Missoula is the birthplace of Jeannette Rankin (1880–1973), the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Missoula is nicknamed the Garden City. Local news sources include the Missoulian and the Missoula Independent. It is served by Missoula International Airport. Missoula was recently ranked number 10 in CNNMoney's list of the best places to launch small businesses.