Chicago, IL Business Law & Commercial Transactions Attorneys
Business Formation
We help entrepreneurs and business owners select and formally establish business entities, including partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs).
Mergers, Acquisitions, & Restructuring
Corporate growth is a natural progression of business. Whether you are interested in selling your company, acquiring a new one, or restructuring your business more optimally, we are your legal counsel through the entire deal.
Real Estate Transactions
Our firm can help with negotiations and closings to ensure your interests are protected.
Business Succession Plans
If you own or run a business, you will need to consider what will happen to your organization once you are gone or if you were to suddenly become unavailable.
Counseling clients to make powerful decisions
Every business will need legal advice and counsel at some point. We're fueled by our commitment to deliver highly-effective legal counsel to every client. From kickstarting your business and choosing the proper entity selection to partnership agreements, by-laws, and operating and shareholder agreements, we're your partners in success to achieve your business goals.
Our business law and commercial litigation attorneys get to know your business at its deepest levels to fully understand how you operate, your goals, and what you need to be successful. By working closely with your team, we develop a customized strategy to achieve your business objectives.
When it comes to contracts, leases, purchase agreements, and contractor agreements, it's important to make the right decisions - we're here to counsel and represent clients with their best interest at top of mind.
We understand your business needs
Starting and running a profitable business, especially in today's complex economy is no easy task. Our experienced attorneys have the strategic financial and legal planning it takes to minimize your risk, increase productivity, and control your costs.
Not all attorneys intimately understand the daily challenges of a business owner - but ours do. As entrepreneurs themselves, our corporate counsel practice has the true professional and personal experience you need to resolve business issues or plan for future growth.
We advise clients on the legal challenges every company encounters, including: corporate, employment, and human resource issues, non-competition and confidentiality issues, basic contract or document creation, review, and advice, problem solving, litigation prevention, and negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Law in Illinois
Q: What business entity should I choose when starting a company in Illinois?
A: The right entity depends on your ownership structure, liability exposure, tax preferences, and long-term goals. LLCs are popular for small to mid-size businesses because they offer liability protection with flexible governance and pass-through taxation. S-corporations work well when the owner wants to minimize self-employment taxes. C-corporations are better suited to businesses anticipating outside investment or eventual sale to a strategic buyer. Partnerships — general, limited, or LLP — serve specific collaborative arrangements. Angelini & DiLeo Law helps founders select and formally establish the right structure from the start, with properly drafted operating agreements, bylaws, and shareholder agreements.
Q: What does a business attorney do during a merger or acquisition?
A: In an M&A transaction, your attorney serves as a critical strategic partner from letter of intent through closing. This includes structuring the deal (asset purchase versus stock purchase), conducting or reviewing due diligence, negotiating representations and warranties, drafting purchase agreements and ancillary documents, advising on tax implications, and coordinating regulatory filings. Having experienced M&A counsel protects you from hidden liabilities, unfavorable terms, and post-closing disputes. Our team has guided Chicago-area business owners through both the sale and acquisition of companies across a range of industries.
Q: What is a business succession plan and when should I start?
A: A business succession plan establishes what happens to your company if you retire, become incapacitated, or pass away. It addresses ownership transfer — whether to family members, key employees, or an outside buyer — as well as management continuity, valuation, and tax efficiency. The best time to begin planning is well before you intend to exit, typically five to ten years in advance. Early planning allows you to structure ownership transfer in the most tax-advantaged way and ensures the business can continue without disruption. Our attorneys work closely with business owners and their financial advisors to build plans that protect both the company and the owner's legacy.
Q: When does my business need outside legal counsel?
A: Many business owners wait until a crisis — a lawsuit, a failed deal, a dispute with a partner — to engage legal counsel. By then, options are limited and costs are high. Proactive legal counsel helps you avoid those crises by reviewing contracts before you sign them, structuring transactions correctly, advising on employment matters before disputes arise, and ensuring your governance documents actually protect you. Angelini & DiLeo Law serves as outside general counsel for business clients who want a trusted legal partner available on an ongoing basis, not just when problems emerge.
