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Chicago Small Business Attorney

Chicago Small Business Attorney

Small business owners make legal decisions every day that affect liability, cash flow, and long-term growth. The entity you choose, the contracts you sign, and the protections you put in place early can shape how your business operates for years.

Many small business owners rely on template agreements, informal handshake deals, or outdated contracts that create unintended risk. Others form entities without understanding how structure affects liability and taxation. These gaps often surface when it's too late, when a dispute arises, an employee leaves, or a transaction falls apart.

We provide business law services for small businesses and closely held companies throughout Chicago and the Chicagoland area. Our focus is on clear, practical legal guidance that helps business owners protect what they've built while keeping operations moving forward.

Business Formation & Entity Structure

Choosing the right legal structure affects liability exposure, tax treatment, and how your business can grow and change over time. LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships each create different rights, obligations, and protections.

We help small business owners form entities and establish the foundational documents that govern ownership and operations. This includes drafting operating agreements for LLCs, partnership agreements, and shareholder agreements that address management authority, profit distribution, and what happens when ownership changes.

For business owners already operating, we review existing structures to identify gaps and recommend adjustments when circumstances change, such as adding partners, bringing on investors, or transitioning ownership.

Many of our construction law clients are contractors, developers, and construction-related service businesses. We understand the specific liability and operational issues these businesses face and structure entities accordingly.

Contracts for Small Businesses

Clear contracts prevent disputes and protect your position when problems arise. Service agreements, vendor contracts, and customer terms all define what happens when expectations aren't met, payment is delayed, or performance issues surface.

We draft and review business contracts tailored to the relationship and the risk involved. This includes:

We also review contracts you've been asked to sign, including leases, service agreements, and vendor terms, to identify problematic provisions before you're committed.

For construction-related contracts, including subcontractor agreements and project-specific terms, see our construction contract drafting and negotiation services.

Employment Agreements & Workforce Protection

Employees and contractors have access to customer relationships, confidential information, and operational knowledge that took years to build. Clear employment agreements and restrictive covenants help protect these assets while defining expectations on both sides.

We advise small business owners on employment agreements, confidentiality provisions, and non-compete enforceability under Illinois law. This includes structuring non-solicitation and non-compete provisions that are enforceable while remaining practical for your business needs.

We also help business owners navigate employee departures, particularly when confidential information, customer relationships, or competitive activity is at stake.

Risk Management & Confidentiality

Small businesses are vulnerable to disruptions from departing employees, internal ownership disputes, and poorly defined contractual obligations. Early legal planning reduces these risks and positions your business to handle problems when they arise.

We work with business owners to implement confidentiality protections, draft enforceable restrictive covenants, and build contract provisions that minimize disputes. This includes reviewing existing agreements to identify gaps and recommend protective measures aligned with your business operations.

Ongoing Legal Support

Many small businesses benefit from having legal counsel available as questions arise, including contract reviews, dispute assessments, ownership transitions, and coordination with accountants or lenders. We work with clients on an ongoing basis to provide timely guidance without unnecessary formality.

This approach helps business owners address issues early, before they escalate into costly disputes or create operational disruptions.

Need Legal Guidance for Your Chicago Small Business?

Whether you're forming a business, reviewing contracts, or addressing employee-related issues, early legal counsel can help you avoid unnecessary risk and protect what you've built.

Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your business law needs.

Schedule a Free Consultation

What to Expect During Your Consultation

When you reach out about a business law matter, we'll discuss your current situation, whether that's forming an entity, reviewing a contract, addressing an employment issue, or another business concern. We'll explain your options and how we can help you move forward with clarity and appropriate legal protections in place.