-- Federal Taxation -- Buying or Selling a Business --
-- Commercial Transactions -- Tax and Business Litigation --
-- Estate Planning, Probate and Family Law --

I conduct a general practice of law which I believe has over the years informed and enhanced those areas in which I have had special education and experience. Some of these areas of special experience and education are as follows:

Federal Taxation. The Federal income tax structure created by the Internal Revenue Code, Regulations, Rulings and case law permeates our lives. In addition to the obvious examples of the annual income tax return, other areas have complex rules which are ignored at our peril. For example divorce and the associated division of property, payment of spousal maintenance (alimony), child support and the treatment of qualified pension plans have a complex set of associated rules upon which I have advised numerous clients. The establishment of a family estate plan also has a myriad of tax consequences and rules arising out of the very specialized sections of the Internal Revenue Code dealing with Trusts and Estates. The client who desires to benefit a favorite cause or charity can both enhance the value of her gift to a favorite institution or cause and provide herself with enhanced current income from appreciated property provided she has received sound tax advice. Other everyday transactions such as the establishment of a new business, the dissolution of an ongoing business and planning for retirement all have special, associated tax rules. These are all areas in which I have routinely advised my clients.
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Buying or Selling a Business. I have advised numerous buyers and sellers of businesses on the sales and purchases of their businesses ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to many millions. There are many complex choices among competing concerns to be made, which must be well thought out in advance. For example in negotiating the purchase or sale of a business, the Seller will likely want to sell the stock of her corporation to avoid the double taxation inherent in a sale of assets and to ensure the transfer of inchoate liabilities. On the other hand, the purchaser will be driven to a purchase of the assets because of wanting to obtain more favorable depreciation treatment of the purchased assets and his desire to avoid unknown liabilities. In addition to tax concerns, the buyer or seller must conduct the requisite due diligence to ensure that he is getting what he thinks he is purchasing. This routinely involves lien searches and verification of real estate title. These and other concerns and competing interests can be worked out if the parties are well advised. I believe that I can provide informed guidance on these decisions and make available the legal and negotiating tools to effect intelligent compromises on these issues and other issues to enable my clients to achieve their reasonable goals.
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Commercial Transactions. The purchase and sale of expensive, commercial equipment has many specialized considerations. For example, I advise clients on sales and purchases of expensive aircraft, which involve clearing title through the Federal Aviation Administration. Frequently these and other equipment transactions involve the negotiation and documentation of complex bank financing, multiple jurisdiction lien clearance and checking and other concerns. I also routinely advise clients on various commercial transactions governed by the Uniform Commercial Code.
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Tax and Business Litigation. I have represented my clients in tax and business matters before the United States Tax Court, The United States District Court, the Federal Appellate Court and the Illinois trial and appellate courts.
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Estate Planning, Probate and Family Law. I advise clients on the planned disposition of their property both at death and during their lifetimes. I strive to blend the financial and tax concerns with the personal and family goals of my clients. While these matters are frequently complex and sophisticated problems, I make special effort to ensure that a final plan is flexible, as simple as possible and fully understood by the parties. I frequently rely on living trusts to accomplish these goals. I make every effort to handle the probate of decedents' estates with the same concerns and sensitivity. I also advise and represent clients in related areas of family law including divorce, child custody, adoption and powers of attorney.
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