BN&F acts as general corporate counsel, and assists our clients with regard to contract negotiations, and corporate governance and compliance. The firm represents clients in corporate acquisitions, mergers and leveraged buyouts. We participate in the review and negotiation of bank loans and other financing arrangements.
Mergers and Acquisitions
John became associated with the Firm in 1981 and a shareholder thereafter. Since joining the firm he has specialized in tax matters and corporate advice, particularly sophisticated tax planning for individuals and business entities, mergers and acquisitions, and advising on qualified employee benefit plans including pension, profit sharing and 401(k) retirement plans, and preparing and advising on deferred compensation plans and health and welfare plans. More time is being spent on mergers, acquisitions and recapitalizations of corporations than previously, which provides for more challenging and interesting work. Especially recapitalizations for family owned corporations can provide a means for additional estate planning for an entrepreneur with a successful business which he or she wants to keep in the family.
Business Transactions
Lynn was raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She attended Loyola University where she double majored in psychology and political science, receiving her B.S, later graduating from DePaul University College of Law. While in law school, she worked at the DePaul Legal Clinic and through the Women’s Bar Association, mentored a visually impaired law student. Lynn is the President and a director of Berger, Newmark & Fenchel. Her practice of law involves representing financial institutions and all types of entities in corporate, financial and commercial transactions, corporate acquisitions, mergers and leveraged buyouts and in the review and negotiation of bank loans and other financing arrangements. Lynn specializes in all areas of corporate and business matters and real estate, including commercial and residential transactions, as well as commercial and industrial leases. In addition, her practice includes the representation of clients in all aspects of employer and employee relations including employment discrimination, unfair labor practice litigation, policy review and strategic planning. During her career she has practiced in both State and Federal Courts and various Administrative Agencies (Local, State and Federal).
Limited Liability Companies
BN&F acts as general corporate counsel, and assists our clients with regard to contract negotiations, and corporate governance and compliance. BN&F prepares shareholder agreements, employment agreements, employee benefit plans and other corporate contracts. We represent clients in corporate acquisitions, mergers and leveraged buyouts and in the review and negotiation of bank loans and other financing arrangements. Our services, of course, extend to general or limited partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures and proprietorships.
BN&F labor lawyers provide management strategy and documentation services during union organizational drives and elections. We represent our clients in labor negotiations and arbitration and mediation proceedings and appear before the National Labor Relations Board as well as other state and federal agencies. Our services include representation in wrongful discharge claims, wage and hour disputes, labor grievances, pension and benefit claims, and matters concerning non-compete agreements and trade secret misappropriation. We also handle employment discrimination and wrongful discharge issues and claims presented to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Illinois Department of Human Rights and filed before Federal and State agencies and courts.
Employment Discrimination
In the 1950’s the firm represented many clients in the floral industry including industry associations for which the firm negotiated multiple labor agreements, becoming the genesis of the firm’s labor and employment discrimination practice, which continues to this day. In the mid 1950’s Barry D. Elman joined the firm and a few years later, at the time William Berger retired, Ervin Feuerstein joined the firm to chair the litigation and banking practices.
Employment Contract
We offer general corporate counsel, and prepare agreements among shareholders, employment agreements and other corporate contracts. The firm represents clients in corporate acquisitions, mergers and leveraged buyouts. We participate in the review and negotiation of bank loans and other financing arrangements. Our services, of course, extend to general or limited partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures and proprietorships.
Employment Litigation
Mark is counsel to the Firm. He represents clients facing the full spectrum of labor and employment issues that confront today’s employers and executives. He has focused his practice in traditional labor, employment, benefits and fiduciary litigation and counseling. After law school Mark served as a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves on active duty as a lawyer for almost five years before entering private practice. He gained valuable trial and administrative law experience while in the Marine Corps.
BN&F’s litigation practice includes trial and appellate work at all levels of the Federal and State judicial systems, as well as mediation and arbitration proceedings. Our expertise includes the representation of clients in commercial and transactional disputes and specialized areas of law such as the prosecution and defense of mechanic or other lien claims and matters involving the analysis, negotiation, and litigation of construction contract matters. The firm also represents its clients in corporate, real estate, and financial litigation and litigation involving...
Real Estate Transactions
The real estate department advises clients in all forms of real estate transactions, including developments, purchases, sales, exchanges, leases, commercial, residential or otherwise. The firm advises developers, investors, lessors and owners of commercial properties in the acquisition, construction, development, leasing and operation of commercial properties including office buildings, hotels, condominiums, subdivisions, shopping centers and warehouses. We also provide real estate closing services and represent clients in title insurance and lien claim matters.
BN&F is comprised of a diverse blend of skilled attorneys offering contemporary knowledge and understanding of the ever evolving law. We serve a local, national and international clientele, in various fields, including manufacturing, real estate, service, banking and financial institutions and a variety of professions. Our services include corporate, labor/employment, real estate, banking, estate planning/probate, pension and employee benefits, tax, and litigation...
Wills
Steve is an experienced and successful trial attorney with a widely varied civil litigation background in antitrust, consumer fraud, contracts, employment, healthcare, professional negligence, trademark and copyright, and wills and trusts. Having had trials and appeals to the appellate and supreme courts throughout the country, Steve has practiced at all levels of the state and federal court systems. Prior to the COVID-19 shut down, he tried a medical negligence case to a jury and obtained a verdict of over $1 million.
Trusts
Since returning to Chicago, William has concentrated his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, and the representation of closely held businesses.
Power of Attorney
We facilitate intra-family asset and wealth transfers and draft wills, living and testamentary trusts, powers of attorney for property and health care, irrevocable life insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts and other irrevocable trusts.
Avrum has served as Chairman of the Chicago Bar Association’s Committee on Bankruptcy and Reorganizations and is a past Chairman of the Asset Protection Committee of that Association. He is past Chairman of both the Commercial Banking and Bankruptcy Law Section Council and the Business Advice and Financial Planning Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association. He is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar.
Tax Law
The tax department handles federal and state tax matters for our clients, including planning for both individuals and businesses. We prepare all types of corporate, partnership and fiduciary returns, handle charitable and other not-for-profit organizational matters and tax exemptions, and appear and represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service, Illinois Department of Revenue, and all other taxing agencies and tribunals.