Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Business Law

'Sovereign' Immunity By Michelle Nijm December 2012 Column, Page 664 A new law helps stop frivolous UCC filings by self-styled "sovereign citizens."
The Institute of Business Laws tries to make Illinois business-friendlier By Adam W. Lasker September 2012 Lawpulse, Page 458 The volunteer Institute promotes business-friendly legislation, including a new act that lets the secretary of state dissolve partnerships and makes other small but helpful changes to business laws.
The Joy of Being Disregarded By Lin Hanson September 2012 Column, Page 500 Should your client be a "disregarded entity" for tax purposes?
Advising Family Businesses By Christine Organ July 2012 Article, Page 372 Family businesses are the backbone of today's corporate world, but lawyers who counsel them must deal with some very "noncorporate" emotional and psychological issues.
Should Illinois Have A Statutory Business Trust Act? By Asalya Akhmerova and William Price March 2012 Column, Page 164 Thirty-two states have some form of business trust statute. Illinois does not. Should it?
The Small Business Development Grant Fund created. PA 097-0406 January 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 Illinois lawmakers have amended the State Fund Act to establish the Small Business Development Grant Fund as a special fund in the state treasury. 30 ILCS 105/6z-87 new.
Non-U.S. Corporations: Do You Know One When You See It? By Stephen Proctor December 2011 Column, Page 638 Corporations are often treated differently than other businesses for jurisdictional purposes.
LLC formation in Illinois or Delaware: What's Best for Your Client? By Elizabeth A. Prendergast September 2011 Article, Page 468 A look at key differences between the Illinois and Delaware LLC statutes and how they might affect hypothetical clients.
Post-Pueblo: Liability During Administrative Dissolution By Owen R. Burgh and Terrence J. McConville September 2011 Column, Page 476 LLC members and managers are protected from personal liability even after the LLC is involuntarily dissolved. Here's a call for change.
Downsizing Shareholders' Fiduciary Duties By Lin Hanson June 2011 Column, Page 314 The fiduciary obligations of corporate shareholders get a trim.
Recent Business Legislation and Trends: the Secretary of State's Perspective By Michelle Nijm and Terrence J. McConville March 2011 Column, Page 158 Among other changes, corporate filings now need only be made with the SOS, not with counties.
Advancing D&O Litigation Expenses: The Power of the Perk By Jennifer A. Waters and Peter V. Baugher January 2011 Article, Page 36 Many companies promise officers and directors an advance of litigation expenses for suits filed against them. But employers may be surprised by the potential costs of this perk.
(Asset) Buyer Beware By Sherwin D. Abrams December 2010 Column, Page 644 Warning to buyers of going businesses: you may be buying some of your sellers' liabilities.
Business Lawyers and the New Ethics Rules By Markus May October 2010 Column, Page 540 It's now easier to represent multiple clients, and to practice in Illinois if you're from out of state.
Distributions By a Business Entity - Cautions for Owners and Their Counsel By Sherwin D. Abrams September 2010 Column, Page 484 Make sure your business clients aren't opening themselves to disgruntled claimants.
LLC Members by Default? By Lin Hanson June 2010 Column, Page 328 If an LLC member loses her shares, to what extent does a creditor stand in her shoes?
Organization as Client - a Continuing Dilemma for Business Lawyers By Stephen Proctor March 2010 Column, Page 160 It's an ethics problem under the old and new rules alike.
Is Selling Title Insurance a "Business Transaction"? By Joseph R. Fortunato and Steven B. Bashaw January 2010 Column, Page 50 A reference to the sale of title insurance in the new rules has some lawyers concerned.
Electronic Voting for Nonprofits By Michael J. Huft December 2009 Column, Page 634 Learn about new amendments to the Illinois General Not For Profit Corporation Act.
Managers' Fiduciary Duty: Fixing the Illinois LLC Act By Lin Hanson September 2009 Column, Page 474 LLC members who exercise the power of a manager now owe a fiduciary duty to the company.
Two Corporate Communications Your Client May Be Getting By Stephen Proctor June 2009 Column, Page 312 One should be ignored. The other must be reviewed and answered carefully.
When it comes to corporate governance, formalities matter By Helen W. Gunnarsson April 2009 Lawpulse, Page 168 Help your corporate clients understand the importance of - and comply with - formalities such as preserving minutes, buying enough insurance, and the like.
Directors' Duty to Creditors By Lin Hanson March 2009 Column, Page 152 If a corporation becomes insolvent, directors and officers owe a duty to creditors.
Helping Clients Observe Corporate Formalities By Lin Hanson December 2008 Column, Page 640 By helping corporate clients with minutes, meetings and more you demonstrate your business value.
The Business Corporation Act's "Quickie" Claim Bar By Lin Hanson September 2008 Column, Page 480  Dissolving corporations can use this to reduce the period during which they remain liable.
Asked and Answered July 2008 Column, Page 369 Is a spouse entitled to corporate assets?
Don't Use an LLC for asset protection By Lin Hanson June 2008 Column, Page 314 Learn how creditors can get at an llC member's personal assets.
Puelo v Topel: the Court Got It Wrong By Lin Hanson and Charles (Bud) W. Murdock March 2008 Column, Page 158 Puelo wrongly held that a dissolved LLC was on the hook for liabilities incurred after the dissolution.    
Successor Liability in Illinois By George W. Kuney March 2008 Article, Page 148 Find out when creditors and tort victims can sue the buyer of a business for the debts and torts of the seller.
LLCs and Asset Protection By Lin Hanson December 2007 Column, Page 662 LLCs afford clients protection from creditors, but not unlimited protection.
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