Join Arizona APEX in-person as we host back-to-back learning sessions. Get expert insights and answers to safeguard your business's future.
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
(Lunch is not provided.)
Location:
Gateway Community College - Washington Campus
108 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
In the IE Building
in the Copper Room
Campus Map: https://www.gatewaycc.edu/about-gateway/washington-campus
Session 1: Protecting Your Certifications When Making Corporate Changes
Corporate changes—like selling or buying a business, transferring ownership, or succession planning—can put your hard-earned certifications (SDVOSB, WOSB, 8(a), WBE, MBE, DBE) at risk. Even minor ownership changes may trigger suspension or decertification. This session will cover:
Succession planning and certification protection
Key considerations when buying or selling a federal contracting business
Asset purchases, novations, and required ownership change notices
Lessons from recent SBA Size and Status Appeal Decisions
Session 2: The Good, Bad, And Very Ugly: Joint Ventures, Teaming Agreements & Mentor-Protégé Relationships
Before entering joint ventures, teaming agreements, or Mentor-Protégé relationships, it's crucial to understand the legal, financial, and practical implications—along with potential risks. This session will cover:
Do’s and don’ts of teaming and joint ventures
Key questions to ask potential partners and mentors
Lessons from real-life partnership failures
Legal, financial, and affiliation concerns
Subcontracting limitations and compliance
About the Speaker
Michelle Kantor leads the Federal Government Contracting & Procurement practice group at McDonald Hopkins LLC. She has more than 36 years of experience practicing federal and local government contracting, procurement law, and litigation. Kantor represents prime contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, professional service providers, and other businesses in matters including Small Business Programs, Bid Protests, Size and Status Protests & Size Appeals, and NAICS Code protests. She also handles contracting claims and payment disputes, Requests for Equitable Adjustments (REAs), claims responses to government investigations, Suspension and Debarment proceedings, federal regulatory compliance, and federal disputes.
Michelle assists clients with federal, state, and local government contracting and procurement; Teaming & Joint Venture agreements; Federal Business Ethics & FAR Compliance; SBA 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, WBE/MBE/DBE certifications and appeals; federal government Mentor-Protégé agreements; and small business corporate changes and business succession planning.
Michelle serves on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) under the National WBENC, overseeing a nine-state region for WBE certifications and business assistance. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and serves as General Counsel to the Board of the Federation of Women Contractors.
Michelle was named one of Crain’s Chicago Business’s Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago in August 2017 and was recognized in Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Women Lawyers lists in August 2018 and August 2020. She was also honored as one of Crain’s Chicago Notable Women in Law in 2022 and 2024. Additionally, she is a Lifetime Member of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). Michelle is a frequent speaker at seminars, conventions, and workshops nationwide.