This firm’s business practice covers the full range of business law matters for regional and national companies, closely held private corporations, entrepreneurs and individuals. Such representation has entailed corporate structural matters (sole proprietorship, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, partnership/shareholder agreements, formation of business entities, maintenance of business formalities [corporate minutes, requisite state filing requirements]); contract preparation (commercial real estate leases, purchase agreements, employment agreements, executive compensation/severance agreements, and related transactions necessitating contractual agreements); protection of corporate property (trade secrets, restrictive covenant enforcement); mergers, acquisitions and divestiture (asset purchase agreements, stock purchase agreements, and related matters); copyright and trademark registration, enforcement and licensure; general corporate counseling and other commercial arrangements (labor disputes, employee handbooks, wage/compensation issues, negotiation of labor agreements, investigation of unlawful discriminatory activities, litigation avoidance, creditor’s rights, mechanics liens [private and public]).
Commercial litigation
As a necessary consequence of our corporate practice, this firm has a thriving practice in commercial litigation involving a variety of contractual disputes (service/manufacturing agreements, commercial leases, organizational agreements/structure, shareholder contributions), stockholder derivative actions and fiduciary duty claims, corporate formation and creditor rights. We have actively litigated matters before the state and federal courts, including reported decisions from the Illinois Appellate Courts and United States Court of Appeals (Sixth and Seventh Circuits).
Labor/Employment
Our labor employment practice concerns both litigation and litigation avoidance. We have reviewed and drafted employee handbooks; restrictive covenants; employment agreements, compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act; and investigated allegations of inappropriate employee conduct.
Members of this firm have litigated a host of labor and employment matters as both plaintiff’s and defendant’s counsel. Such litigation has entailed violations of the Equal Pay Act, gender, race and age discrimination. In addition thereto, this firm has represented labor organizations as chief counsel and negotiator in the collective bargaining process; interpretation of the bargaining agreement; grievance handling and arbitrations.
Organizational Representation
Members of this firm have provided representation to, and worked closely with, professional organizations concerning association law, state licensure issues, regulatory matters, licensure examinations, copyright and trademark matters, and general representation.
Real Estate
This firm offers a full range of real estate services to contractors, corporations, businesses and individuals. These services include commercial leasing; purchase, sale and exchange of properties; land use; eminent domain; and litigation. Relationships with national title companies have been forged to facilitate client needs.
Probate/Estate Planning
This firm regularly counsel clients on their estate planning needs. The foregoing concerns creation of Wills; Trusts; interpretation and application of existing law to testamentary and trust documents; asset protection and probate. Members of this firm routinely represent executors and administrators in their fiduciary capacity as the Court appointed representatives.
Family Law
This firm’s family law practice entails all types of dissolution proceedings, including high-conflict custody disputes and post-decree matters. Members of this firm actively litigate family law disputes, emphasizing a pragmatic and reasonable posture in an effort to minimize legal fees and reach a fair-minded solution that is in the best interest of our clients.