Why form an LLC
An LLC is a legal entity separate from its owners. When it is properly formed and maintained, the company’s debts, contracts, and lawsuits belong to the business, not to you personally.
Corporate & Business Law
Business & Corporate Attorney in Long Grove, Illinois
LLC and corporation formation, contract drafting and negotiation, and ongoing outside general counsel for Illinois business owners and companies, from an attorney with years of experience as an in-house corporate attorney and general counsel.
Who We Help
Counsel for businesses of every size
From founders forming their first company to established businesses with growing operations, we work with clients at the points where careful legal work matters most.
Forming the business
Choosing between an LLC and a corporation, filing with the Illinois Secretary of State, and drafting an operating agreement or bylaws that reflect how the owners actually run the company.
Owner agreements
Operating, shareholder, and partnership agreements that settle ownership, decision-making, distributions, and what happens if an owner leaves, becomes disabled, or dies.
Buyouts and ownership changes
Buying out a partner, admitting a new owner, or restructuring ownership, including valuation, payment terms, and the documents that complete the transfer.
Business contracts
Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating the agreements a business relies on: customer and vendor contracts, leases, and employment and independent contractor agreements.
Ongoing counsel
An ongoing relationship with a lawyer familiar with your operations, available to call before you sign, hire, or commit.
Sale or succession
Preparing the company for a sale or a transfer to family, and coordinating the transition with each owner’s estate plan.
Corporate Formation
Which entity is right for me?
The choice affects your personal liability, how the business is taxed, and how the owners eventually exit. The essentials:
The risk of operating without one
Without an entity, you and the business are legally the same. A lawsuit or unpaid business debt can reach your personal savings and home. Co-owners without an entity are generally treated as a partnership, where each can be personally liable for the others’ business decisions.
S corp and C corp, explained
C corporation: the company pays tax on its profits, and owners pay again on dividends. Common for businesses raising outside investment.
S corporation: a federal tax election available to LLCs and corporations. Profits pass through to the owners, which can lower self-employment taxes for profitable businesses.
What formation includes
- Entity selection consultation
- Filing with the Illinois Secretary of State
- Operating agreement or bylaws drafted for your business
- Ownership, voting, and capital contribution terms
- Federal EIN and initial organizational resolutions
- Guidance on ongoing compliance and annual reports
The documents that matter most
Filing with the Secretary of State is the simple part. The operating agreement or shareholder agreement governs who controls the company, how profits are divided, what happens if an owner wants out, dies, divorces, or stops contributing, and how disputes are resolved. Generic templates rarely address these questions in enough detail.
Outside General Counsel
A general counsel for your business
Many businesses need regular legal guidance without needing a full-time in-house lawyer. Ronnie has served as in-house counsel and general counsel, and we bring that same role to your company: a lawyer who knows the business and is available when questions come up.
Business owners often put off calling a lawyer, and small issues grow in the meantime. With a lawyer already familiar with your company, you can ask the question before you sign, hire, or commit.
- Ongoing access for routine legal questions
- Contract review and redlining
- Annual corporate compliance and minutes
- Employment and contractor document support
- Priority scheduling and response times
Each engagement is tailored to the size and needs of your business.
Contract Drafting & Negotiation
Contract drafting, review, and negotiation
We draft agreements for you to present, and we review and negotiate agreements you are asked to sign.
Commercial Agreements
Customer and client agreements, master services agreements, statements of work, terms of service, and vendor and supply contracts.
Ownership Agreements
Operating agreements, shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, and buy-sell agreements with clear exit and valuation terms.
People & Talent
Employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, offer letters, confidentiality, and non-solicitation agreements.
Confidentiality & IP
Non-disclosure agreements, IP assignment agreements, and licensing arrangements that keep your work product yours.
Transactions
Asset and equity purchase agreements, letters of intent, and the documents needed to buy, sell, or merge a business.
Negotiation
We redline the other side's paper, explain what each change means for you, and negotiate firmly and professionally on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Business law FAQ
Can't I form an LLC myself online?
You can, but it is rarely a good idea. Filing the paperwork is the easy part. Online services do not tell you whether an LLC is the right structure, how to divide ownership and control among owners, or how to avoid the mistakes that allow a court to disregard the company and reach your personal assets. These gaps tend to surface at the worst possible time, during a dispute between owners, a sale, or a lawsuit, when correcting them costs far more than getting them right at the start.
I'm a one-person business. Do I need an operating agreement?
Yes. A single-member operating agreement helps demonstrate that your LLC is a separate entity, which supports your liability protection. It also addresses what happens to the business if you die or become incapacitated, an issue that ties directly into your estate plan.
How do I know if my business needs ongoing general counsel?
If you sign contracts regularly, have employees or contractors, or find yourself with legal questions more than a few times a year, an ongoing relationship with a lawyer who already knows your business usually means faster, better-informed answers. We're happy to discuss what makes sense for you.
Should I sign a contract the other side says is “standard”?
“Standard” usually means standard for the party that wrote it. Indemnification, limitation of liability, automatic renewal, termination, and non-compete terms can carry significant consequences. A review before signing is inexpensive compared to the cost of a bad term.
Why does in-house experience matter for my business?
In-house lawyers see what happens after documents are signed: the contract dispute, the hiring problem, the investor who wants to renegotiate. Ronnie's years as an in-house corporate attorney and general counsel inform how we draft contracts and company documents for you, with attention to how the business actually operates and where it is headed.
Do you work with my accountant?
Absolutely. Entity selection and many business decisions have tax consequences. We regularly coordinate with clients' CPAs and financial advisors so that the legal and tax sides of your business are aligned.
Schedule a business consultation
Whether you are forming a company, reviewing a contract, or considering ongoing counsel, call or send a message to set up a meeting.