Business Law

If you are an entrepreneur, you are considering building your own startup, or you would like to change your business’s structure, you should know the options available to you. There are a number of different business structures from which you can choose, but they may not all be the right fit. You should select your business entity after looking at the size of your business, the number of owners and partners, the goals for your company, and what you want your future to look like. While it is important to […]

There is often the false assumption that landlords are unreasonable and unforgiving, kicking their tenants out at the first sign of a late rent payment. These businessmen and businesswomen get a bad rap for taking legal action against their tenants, yet many forget that landlords are dependent upon their tenants’ rent money to make ends meet. This is an evident issue going on throughout Illinois since COVID-19 first made its mark. Since society essentially shut down for the past few months, many people were left unemployed and unable to pay […]

Mom-and-pop stores and restaurants have been the foundation of the United States since the country’s origin. Many Americans pride themselves on their work and ability to support their families, with additional fulfillment given to those who do this by running their own business. In the best-case scenarios, family businesses will be passed down from generation to generation. While it may seem straightforward to hand your business off to one of your children, you should still have a plan set in place so that things transition smoothly and your business remains […]

When starting up a company in Illinois, you will research various formation options available under state law and do your research to find the right fit for your business. Many in your position lean towards a corporation because of the benefits it offers, both for owners and the entity. However, you may not realize that there are distinct types of corporations that can provide additional advantages from a federal income tax standpoint. One is the S Corporation, often referred to as a “flow-through” entity for how profits and losses are […]

Because every business is unique, every deal involving a purchase or sale will bear numerous, distinct details that need to be addressed from a structuring point of view. Still, there are just three basic options for buying or selling a business: Stock purchase, asset acquisition, or a merger of the companies. The Illinois Business Corporation Act contains many provisions regarding the requirements, but there is little information on why you would choose one alternative over another. You can trust an Illinois business law attorney to handle the details since negotiations […]

Illinois business owners know the importance of retaining a lawyer for formation and start-up, as well as drafting and reviewing contracts. Not as many realize how critical it is to have access to general counsel on a regular basis. Some stakeholders may only reach out to an attorney after an issue has emerged, at which point they need to develop a relationship very quickly and get that person up to speed regarding the organization. While it is not practical for all companies to have an in-house legal department, there are […]

If you own a business that relies on customers coming into your building—such as a bar, restaurant, retail establishment, or even professional practice with a waiting area—you probably have music playing at least sometimes. Maybe you have a radio that plays a particular local station for background music, or perhaps you use a streaming service like Spotify or Pandora to match the preferences of your customers more directly. If your business is a bar or a nightclub, your entertainment lineup might include live cover bands and karaoke. Copyright laws in […]

If you are like most employers, firing an employee is an experience you would like to avoid at all costs. Termination can be challenging not only on a personal level but on a professional level as well. If the proper steps are not taken to justify an employee’s termination, he or she could potentially bring a successful wrongful termination lawsuit against you. As a result of the claim, you may suffer irreparable harm to your business’s reputation and be required to pay expensive damages. The best way to ensure that […]

If you are a business owner, employee concerns may take up a great deal of your time. One employee issue that has made many headlines in the past several years is sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a type of employment discrimination protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If an employee reports sexual harassment and an employer does not properly address the problem, the employer can be liable for damages to the employee and may subject to other negative consequences. Now that more and more people […]

Some people knew that they wanted to one day own a business when they were in elementary school. For others, the dream of business ownership came later in life. Buying a franchise is a great way to become a business owner while still benefiting from the guidance and leadership of a franchisor. Franchise owners have the huge advantage of buying into an existing business model and receiving ongoing assistance from the parent company. However, success is not guaranteed. It is essential that anyone thinking about purchasing a franchise do their […]