September 16, 2026
–Blog Post
Same Business, New Number: Rev. Rul. 2008-18, the 60-Month Rule, and the Price of the Fix
LexisNexis

Sullivan represented Horizon Beverage Group Inc., one of New England’s premier alcohol distributors, in its sale to Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol. The acquisition marks an exciting expansion for Southern Glazer’s, adding Massachusetts and Rhode Island as the 46th and 47th markets in its U.S. footprint, alongside operations in Canada and the Caribbean.
“We are grateful to Horizon’s employees, customers, and partners for so many years of success, and this transition represents an even brighter future for all,” said Bob Epstein, CEO/President at Horizon. “We’re confident that Southern Glazer’s strength and scale will not only support a smooth integration, but also create new opportunities for growth and success.”
“We’re committed to maintaining the exceptional service that Horizon is known for while bringing the added benefits of being part of the Southern Glazer’s family,” added Jim Rubenstein, CEO/Treasurer at Horizon. “This partnership ensures stability and growth for all stakeholders and strengthens our ability to deliver value across the board.”
Lewis N. Segall, Charles E. Chambers Jr., Ida J. Vanto, Sharon G. Leifer, Steven M. Cunningham, Jr. and Christopher C. Curtis
Sullivan represented Wonder Media Network (WMN), a female-founded, audio-first creative studio based in New York City, in its sale to Acast, the world’s largest independent podcast company. "WMN’s mission is so tightly aligned with that of Acast - bringing important and changemaking stories to the world," said WMN CEO Jenny Kaplan. "Together, we will allow both creators and advertisers to reach new audiences, build successful businesses, and shape the future of audio."
Lewis N. Segall, Joel R. Carpenter, Amy E. Sheridan, Erika L. Todd and Johanna Colpritt
Our marquee REIT and Tax teams advised American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT), one of the largest global REITs, and its subsidiary CoreSite in the formation of a new joint venture with Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real property assets, to develop, build and operate an 18-megawatt data center in Denver, Colorado. CoreSite provides IT infrastructure that empowers enterprises and cloud, network and IT service providers to monetize and future-proof their digital businesses. The total estimated development costs for the 18-megawatt data center are expected to be more than $250 million.
Sullivan’s team was led by Ameek Ashok Ponda, director of the Tax Department, with Sullivan Tax partners Joel Carpenter and Sarah Wellings, and associate Connie Lee, contributing to the successful deal.
Ameek Ashok Ponda, Joel R. Carpenter, Sarah D. Wellings and Connie Lee
Sullivan acts as outside general counsel for Skillsright, Inc., a nonprofit coalition of the country’s top employers and their CEOs with a mission of driving a skills-first movement to unlock career opportunities for talent without four-year degrees, for a more equitable and inclusive future workforce. Sullivan handles a wide range of matters including obtaining the organization’s nonprofit (Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)) status, advising on a variety of legal issues associated with the organization’s work, negotiating intellectual property rights, drafting employment offers and dealing with related employment and benefits issues, overseeing all contracting issues and advising on corporate governance.
Kimberly Herman, David A. Guadagnoli, Judith G.H. Edington, Erika L. Todd and Michael S. Palmisciano
Sullivan represented Admiral Metals who was acquired by Reliance Steel & Aluminium Co. (NYSE: RS). “Admiral Metals has built a strong reputation in the metals industry for providing specialty products, high levels of customer service and next-day delivery,” commented Jim Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer of Reliance. “We believe this acquisition will enable Admiral Metals to leverage Reliance’s scale in order to capitalize on further growth opportunities while maintaining its strong brand recognition. We are excited to welcome Admiral Metals to the Reliance Family of Companies, our 70th acquisition since our 1994 IPO.”
Lewis N. Segall, Victor N. Baltera and Sharon G. Leifer
Sullivan represented Masy Systems Inc. ("Masy" or "Masy BioServices"), a preferred provider of cGMP Biostorage and pharma support services, in the sale of its Masy to Alcami Corporation, a leading pharmaceutical and biotech contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO).
Lewis N. Segall and Steven M. Cunningham, Jr.
In November 2021, Sullivan together with its clients Merger & Acquisition Services, Inc., and International Transportation Marine Office, LLC (ITMA) received the Cross-Border Deal of the Year ($50 to $100 million) Award, at the 20th Annual M&A Advisor Awards in New York City. The award was given for the sale of ITMA to MS Amlin Underwriting Limited, a UK company. Don Kaitz retained his role as chairman of Arizona-headquartered ITMA, and the business continued to be led by Eric Kaitz, Chief Executive Officer. Earlier in 2021, Douglas Stransky and Michael Student, along with Merger & Acquisition Services Inc., advised ITMA and the Kaitzes.
Partner and head of Sullivan's International Tax Group, Douglas Stransky, commented, "We are thrilled to receive this honor and be together in-person with our clients and friends, Merger & Acquisition Services, Inc. and Don and Eric Kaitz, and proud to have collaborated with them on this sale."
Douglas S. Stransky and Michael J. Student
Geoffrey Wynne will join a panel discussion: “Trade Finance: Lessons from First Brands and Other Situations” at the ELFA Annual Conference 2026 on October 13 in London. The panel will examine how investors can learn from recent high-profile situations and adapt their credit analysis to address emerging risks in trade finance. Topics will include the essential role of trade finance and its separate institutional frameworks, cohabitation on issuer balance sheets, structural
Geoffrey Wynne was quoted in the article "When the Price Is High and There’s Limited Supply," published in Financial World [sub. req'd], the monthly digital magazine of Walbrook Institute London, in October 2026. The article discusses growing concerns over access to critical raw materials and other essential goods, and how those concerns are reshaping global supply chains. It also explores how trade finance can be used to support supply chain resilience and help
Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) has welcomed Veronika Koroleva as counsel in its market-leading Trade & Export Finance practice in London. Joining from Hill Dickinson, where she was Head of Trade Finance, Veronika brings extensive experience in trade and commodity finance, including structured trade, receivables and supply chain finance. Veronika’s arrival builds on the expansion of the practice following the additions of Robert Parson and Matthew Cox as partners in 2025 and
On Friday, September 18, 2026, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (the “SJC”) affirmed the dismissal of the Town of Marshfield’s challenge to the MBTA Communities Act (the “Act” or “Section 3A”).[1] The decision confirms that covered municipalities must adopt and maintain zoning that permits multifamily housing as of right in at least one district. It also rejects Marshfield’s four principal theories for avoiding that obligation, which are explored in more
On September 16, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued two proposals that, if adopted, would represent significant changes to the federal proxy rules for U.S. public companies. The first proposal would eliminate Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). Rule 14a-8 currently requires companies to include qualifying shareholder proposals in their proxy materials and has been part of the federal proxy rules for more than
Partner Mark Norris will participate in GTR Africa 2026 London, hosted by Global Trade Review (GTR) on November 12, the theme for which is “Charting Africa’s trade and export trajectory.” Mark will join the panel discussing “Looking ahead or back to basics? ECA reform priorities to remain competitive”, which will be moderated by Chris Mitman at Acre Impact Capital and include Ram Shalita at Bluebird Finance & Projects and Anders Vium
On October 1, 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") proposed a comprehensive new custody framework for crypto assets. Subject to significant conditions, the proposal would permit SEC-registered investment advisers to self-custody certain client crypto assets when no qualified custodian is reasonably available for the particular asset. It also would permit registered investment companies and business development companies ("BDCs," and together with registered investment companies, "regulated funds") to
On September 29, 2026, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) Division of Investment Management (the “Staff”) issued a no-action letter to the Mutual Fund Directors Forum stating that it would not recommend enforcement action under Rules 14a-3(a), 14a-4(d)(2), 14a-4(d)(3), 14a-4(f), 14a-6(o), 14a-10, and 14a-12(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), if an investment company registered under the Investment Company
Richard Jones will participate in a panel discussion titled "Noteworthy Developments in State and Local Taxation" on October 16, 2026, at the National Association of State Bar Tax Sections' (NASBTS) 47th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rich will be joined on the panel by Richard D. Pomp, Alva P. Loiselle Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law, and James G. Busby, Jr., of The Cavanagh Law Firm
Geoffrey Wynne will join a panel discussion: “Trade Finance: Lessons from First Brands and Other Situations” at the ELFA Annual Conference 2026 on October 13 in London. The panel will examine how investors can learn from recent high-profile situations and adapt their credit analysis to address emerging risks in trade finance. Topics will include the essential role of trade finance and its separate institutional frameworks, cohabitation on issuer balance sheets, structural
Geoffrey Wynne was quoted in the article "When the Price Is High and There’s Limited Supply," published in Financial World [sub. req'd], the monthly digital magazine of Walbrook Institute London, in October 2026. The article discusses growing concerns over access to critical raw materials and other essential goods, and how those concerns are reshaping global supply chains. It also explores how trade finance can be used to support supply chain resilience and help
Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) has welcomed Veronika Koroleva as counsel in its market-leading Trade & Export Finance practice in London. Joining from Hill Dickinson, where she was Head of Trade Finance, Veronika brings extensive experience in trade and commodity finance, including structured trade, receivables and supply chain finance. Veronika’s arrival builds on the expansion of the practice following the additions of Robert Parson and Matthew Cox as partners in 2025 and
On Friday, September 18, 2026, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (the “SJC”) affirmed the dismissal of the Town of Marshfield’s challenge to the MBTA Communities Act (the “Act” or “Section 3A”).[1] The decision confirms that covered municipalities must adopt and maintain zoning that permits multifamily housing as of right in at least one district. It also rejects Marshfield’s four principal theories for avoiding that obligation, which are explored in more
On September 16, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued two proposals that, if adopted, would represent significant changes to the federal proxy rules for U.S. public companies. The first proposal would eliminate Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). Rule 14a-8 currently requires companies to include qualifying shareholder proposals in their proxy materials and has been part of the federal proxy rules for more than