Randal J. Scholer Member

Contact Information

(319) 896-4054 (319) 366-1917 rscholer@spmblaw.com Cedar Rapids, IA

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Cathy McAllister Legal Assistant

(319) 896-4111 cmcallister@spmblaw.com

Practice Area

Bar Admissions

State of Iowa

Education

University of Iowa College of Law, JD, with distinction
- Editor Moot Court Board
University of Iowa, BBA

Randy Scholer represents a diverse group of clients with matters relating to business transactions and counseling, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures law, real estate development, municipal law, and wealth transfers, trusts and estates. Mr. Scholer serves his clients by efficiently and effectively developing practical solutions to their legal and business needs. He has lead complex transactions, served on the firm's board of directors and guided the negotiations and merger of Simmons Perrine PLC and Moyer & Bergman, PLC.

Mr. Scholer has been recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" in Cedar Rapids by Best Lawyers® five times: Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law (2019 & 2022); Business Organizations (2018 & 2021); Mergers and Acquisitions (2017 & 2023) and Corporate Law (2016). He has been designated by Chambers USA® as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Business in the Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions practice. Mr. Scholer holds an AV Preeminent rating for legal ethics and ability with Martindale-Hubbell®.

Mr. Scholer has been recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" in Cedar Rapids by Best Lawyers® four times: Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law (2019); Business Organizations (2018); Mergers and Acquisitions (2017 & 2023) and Corporate Law (2016). He has been designated by Chambers USA® as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Business in the Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions practice. Mr. Scholer is recognized as a Great Plains Super Lawyer and holds an AV Preeminent rating for legal ethics and ability with Martindale-Hubbell®.

Business Transactions and Counseling. Mr. Scholer assists his clients (often serving in the role as general counsel) with their business transactions and operational matters. He has negotiated and finalized agreements amongst the owners of a business and divided businesses amongst owners who no longer desire to do business together.

Mergers and Acquisitions. Mr. Scholer leads mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and reorganizations for his clients in a wide range of industries. His involvement in these transactions includes strategically negotiating the transaction, due diligence investigation, document drafting and finalization, coordination of the closing and addressing post-closing issues and liabilities.

Real Estate. Mr. Scholer represents real estate developers and clients with land use and regulation issues, such as development, annexation, zoning, subdivision and building code issues.

Municipal Law. Mr. Scholer serves as City Attorney, providing advice on the issues and operations that face city councils, administrative boards and commissions. He also assists businesses and individuals with city, county and state governmental issues.

Wealth Transfer, Trusts and Estates. Mr. Scholer assists his clients in the areas of wealth preservation, estate and tax planning and succession planning for closely-held businesses.

Honors & Awards

Designated as Leading Lawyer in Chambers USA, 2010-2022, Mergers & Acquisitions
- Randy Scholer is highly respected for representing clients in corporate transactions. A source comments: "He thinks every situation through and plans strategy for the best outcome." Clients also report that Scholer is "very good at explaining what all the options are in each individual situation," and add: "He is the attorney to call if a situation seems out of control or helpless."
  -- Chambers USA
- Randy Scholer has experience in business sales and advising on shareholder disputes and business restructuring. "He is incredibly responsive and attentive and his work is of the highest caliber."
  -- Chambers USA
AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
- Randy is recognized by members of the bar as one of the finest lawyers who deal with corporate transactions, business counseling, and business mergers.
  -- Martindale-Hubbell®
- Randy is an excellent transactional attorney. I would highly recommend him.
  -- Martindale-Hubbell®
Included in Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" list, 2019 & 2022
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Included in Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" list, 2018 & 2021
- Business Organizations (including LLCs & Partnerships)
Included in Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" list, 2017 & 2023
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Included in Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" list, 2015
- Corporate Law
Included in Best Lawyers in America® list, 2023
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Real Estate Law
Included in Great Plains Super Lawyers list, 2014-2020, 2022

Representative Transactions

CRST International, Inc. Acquires NAL Group (Link)
Forward Air Corporation Acquires Linn Star “LSHI” for $57.2 Million (Link)
CEC Acquires Sound Services Inc. of Milwaukee (Link)
Hillcrest Holdings Acquires Southgate Companies (Link)
Wendling Quarries, Inc, Purchases Iowa Assets of Coots Materials Company (CMC) (Link)

Professional & Community Affiliations

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
- Business Law - Mergers and Acquisitions Section
Iowa State Bar Association
- Business Law Section
- Corporate Counsel Section
- Taxation Section
Linn County Bar Association
- Former LCBA Board of Governors
Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association

Previous Community Involvement / Board Positions

American Heart Association
Chamber of Commerce
Xavier Foundation
YMCA
All Saints Church

News & Events

2022

Randy Scholer Recognized by Best Lawyers® as 2023 “Lawyer of the Year”, 09/09/2023
Randy Scholer Included in Best Lawyers in America® 2023, 08/19/2022
Randy Scholer Listed in 2022 Great Plains Super Lawyers, 07/28/22
Randy Scholer Listed in Chambers USA 2022, 07/05/2022

2021

Eleven SPMB Attorneys Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® 2022, 08/19/2021
SPMB Listed in Chambers USA 2021, 05/20/2021

2020

Best Lawyers In America Recognizes 37 SPMB Attorneys, 08/20/2020
2020 Great Plains Super Lawyers Announced, 07/31/2020
CRST International, Inc. Acquires NAL Group, 03/12/2020
Chambers USA 2020 List Announced, 05/08/2020

2019

Forward Air Corporation Acquires Linn Star “LSHI” for $57.2 Million, 12/12/2019