Our Attorneys

Experience

Mitchell has represented business entities, municipalities and individuals in commercial, business and employment related litigation in state and federal courts around the country. Mitchell is also highly skilled in dealing with the unique legal issues and business opportunities which are often presented to minority owned businesses. In addition to his jury and bench trial experience, Mitchell has represented clients in arbitrations, mediations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Mitchell possesses extensive and diverse experience in the employment law area. In addition to prosecuting and defending employment discrimination claims in United States District Courts, the EEOC, the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, Mitchell also provides general counseling to his clients regarding employee handbooks, policies and procedures and non-compete and non-solicitation restrictive covenants.

Representative Engagements

1. Lead counsel for a hotel management company defending a claim for indemnification in connection with a wrongful death suit arising from a drowning in the hotel pool. A three day jury trial resulted in a jury verdict in favor of client.

2. Represented the former Vice President of Finance of a major subsidiary of a public energy company in one of the first cases to be tried under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act's "Whistleblower" provision. A two week bench trial resulted in a confidential settlement.

3. Lead counsel for a major manufacturer of automobile lighting fixtures in a suit brought by a manufacturer of custom metalizing machines for breach of contract, unjust enrichment and fraud. Successfully argued motions to dismiss which resulted in the dismissal of the plaintiff's fraud claim. Represented the client at mediation which led to a confidential settlement.

4. Defended departed employees of a major consulting company who started a competing business against claims of breach of non-competition/non-solicitation agreements, tortious interference and misappropriation of trade secrets. Successfully argued against the plaintiff's motion for temporary restraining order and motion to limit the scope of the defendants' discovery. The case subsequently settled on confidential terms.

5. Defended a manufacturer of power lawn and garden equipment against claims of retaliatory discharge and violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act ("ADA") asserted by its former manager of development testing. Successfully argued a motion to dismiss which resulted in the dismissal of the plaintiff's ADA claim. Lead counsel for the client at the mediation which resulted in the resolution of the plaintiff's remaining retaliatory discharge claim on terms favorable to the client.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

Mitchell is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and Chicago Bar Association. Mitchell also serves as a designate board member of a local not-for-profit agency that runs educational and recreational programs for children throughout the Chicagoland area.

Todd L. Erdman Of-Counsel Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: terdman@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Banking Law Business Law Real Estate

Experience

Todd specializes in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate transactions, leasing, secured lending and business transactions along with the formation and organization of business entities.

Todd has spent the majority of his legal career counseling clients regarding real estate and business matters. Todd has provided counsel regarding the utilization of limited liability companies and other entities relating to the ownership and management of real estate and businesses, with an emphasis on asset preservation and liability protection. Todd also has extensive experience advising clients on issues related to the leasing and financing of real estate.

Todd represents buyers and sellers in commercial real estate transactions, as well as landlords and tenants in leasing negotiations. Todd has facilitated multi-million dollar transactions, conducted like-kind exchanges (also known as IRS Code 1031 exchanges), and has closed on complex loan facilities on behalf of lenders and borrowers.

Representative Engagements

1. Served as the lead attorney on the acquisition of an affiliate of a publicly traded manufacturing company including: (i) entity structuring relating to newly acquired leased and owned property over seven states and (ii) negotiation of working lines of credit for operating entity.

2. Represented client on transferring commercial and residential properties into Illinois Series limited liability company to provide asset protection and estate planning opportunities.

3. Represented major Illinois lending institution in documenting $10,000,00.00 loan to manufacturing company to build an out-of-state manufacturing plant.

4. Negotiated joint venture agreement and construction contract on behalf of builder for construction of $8,000,000.00 multi-use building.

5. Negotiated office lease to include tenant improvement allowance, additional abatement period, death and disability protection and options to expand for sophisticated plastic surgery practice.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

Todd is an author in the DePaul University College of Law's Journal of Art and Entertainment. Todd lectures on real estate negotiations at the Northwestern College of Law, and is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

Jeffrey M. Galkin Partner Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: jgalkin@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Real Estate Leasing Finance Construction Business Law Ownership and Management Succession (OMS)

Experience

For almost 20 years, Jeff has represented clients in a broad range of commercial real estate matters in the Chicago metropolitan area and throughout the country. His experience includes the acquisition and disposition of retail, office, hotel and industrial properties and portfolios, the development of commercial and industrial properties, and the development of residential townhome and condominium communities. Jeff has also represented both lenders and borrowers in real estate financing matters, including construction lending, loan workouts/restructurings, deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure and securitized loans. He also has considerable experience in commercial leasing on behalf of both landlords and tenants, management agreements, construction and architectural contracts.

Prior to practicing law, Jeff practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with an emphasis in federal and state taxation.

Representative Engagements

1. Representation of a residential developer in the acquisition and development of a residential community consisting of more than 900 condominiums, townhomes and single family residences.

2. Representation of real estate investment trusts in the acquisition and disposition of retail and industrial properties/portfolios in exchange for cash and the issuance of publicly traded stock.

3. Representation of a manufacturing company in structuring a reverse 1031 tax-free exchange involving the sale of three manufacturing facilities and the acquisition and construction of a replacement facility.

4. Representation of a developer in establishing a revolving credit facility to be used to refinance a portfolio of industrial properties and for the acquisition and development of additional properties.

5. Representation of a charitable foundation in the negotiation of a municipal redevelopment agreement regarding the acquisition and redevelopment of city-owned land for purposes of building a low-income, subsidized housing community.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

Jeff received his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and received his J.D. from Northwestern University. Outside of the office, Jeff is involved in activities at his synagogue and enjoys a regular game night with the guys. Jeff and his wife have two daughters and an obnoxious dog.

Joseph A. Ginsburg Partner Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: jginsburg@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Domestic and International Business Law Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Ownership and Management Succession (OMS) Mergers and Acquisitions

Experience

For more than 30 years, Joe has served as legal counsel to domestic and international clients in the areas of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, as well as dispute risk analysis and resolution. He has extensive experience in the negotiation and documentation of domestic and international transactions including financing, acquisition, divestiture and mergers. Joe also has extensive experience in representing family owned and closely held businesses. He also provides advice and counsel in ownership and management succession planning and wealth management strategies for businesses and their owners.

Representative Engagements

1. Represented longstanding client for whom the firm has acted as legal advisor personally and in his various enterprises over many years in the successful acquisition of a distribution business and a manufacturing business in two separate but related transactions.

2. Successfully completed the development and implementation of an ownership and management succession plan, transitioning the businesses of our client to the third generation; continuing to represent the business and the family.

3. Represented an international business client resulting in the successful resolution of a highly contested dispute involving the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

4. Represented a domestic business in the establishment of a foreign distribution and warehousing facility to facilitate just in time delivery demands of a major international customer of our client.

5. Represented a partner in the acquisition of his co-partner's entire interest in the business including the negotiation and documentation of the financing arrangements for the acquisition and thereafter continuing to represent the client and his business through what continues to be a very successful growth and modernization plan.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

A life-long Chicagoan, Joe graduated law school and established a respected law firm dedicated to representing clients, not hourly matters, and became a member of the Family Firm Institute (FFI). He continues to participate in an FFI peer study group of other professionals serving family businesses and has been invited to speak and write on the subject, including writing an award-winning article.

To give back to the community, Joe volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He serves as a Board Member and Chairman of the Board. Spending time with his family and traveling as time allows takes up his leisure time when he's not golfing.

Kristen E. Hengtgen Associate Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: khengtgen@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Foreclosure Law Business Law

Experience

Kristen joined Levin Ginsburg in 2009 after clerking for the firm during her final year of law school. She received her J.D. from the DePaul University College of Law, cum laude and her B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While in law school Kristen was a member and Editor of Articles, Notes and Comments of the DePaul Law Review.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

Kristen is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Chicago Bar Association. She also volunteers at PAWS Chicago and enjoys traveling, cooking, snow skiing, and Badger sports.

Experience

Anne's practice focuses on providing practical and strategic legal advice to clients on significant technology, privacy and security, and electronic commerce transactions. Her experience includes virtually every type of information technology contract, including outsourcing, systems integration, strategic alliance, web hosting, electronic commerce, licensing, database protection and development and service agreements. Her clients include for-profit and not-for-profit organizations involved in the use and development of technology. She advises clients on issues pertaining to licensing, development and distribution of information technology.

Representative Engagements

1. Negotiated licensing and consulting agreements with major technology vendors including outsourcers and facilities managers in the telecommunications, consumer products and financial industries. Represented clients in vendor audit situations.

2. Worked with software developers to develop product licensing strategies to assist in promoting product profitability.

3. Asset sale of technology recruiting company which provided recruiting services to Fortune 500 companies.

4. Represented clients as complainant or respondent in proceedings regarding rights to domain names as well as draft website agreements and negotiate domain name purchases.

5. Prepared and negotiated licensing agreements for not-for-profit clients to protect rights in data and other intellectual property rights.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

Anne has authored many articles on technology and electronic commerce law in publications such as The National Law Journal, American Lawyer and various business publications. She is a recognized speaker on technology and electronic commerce law, having made presentations in the U.S. and several other countries. Anne also has a background in computer programming and system design.

Robert S. Levin Partner Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: rlevin@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Business Law Mergers and Acquisitions Finance Real Estate Ownership and Management Succession (OMS)

Experience

For more than 35 years, Bob has worked with his clients and negotiated and documented both U.S. and international transactions. His work includes the structuring and financing of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, equity and financing transactions, negotiating shareholder and partner investments and buyouts, and other business agreements, risk analysis and development and implementation of successful legal and wealth management strategies for businesses and their owners.

Representative Engagements

1. Represented large, diverse group of sellers with different goals in the sale of a controlling interest in an independent trust company and asset manager, after representing the business as outside general counsel for several years.

2. Represented buyer in an asset transaction which provided buyer with significant synergistic new product line. Seller's facilities contained on-going environmental contamination discovered during pre-closing due diligence.

3. Represented seller in an asset transaction, which included a manufacturing facility with an on-going, adverse environmental condition.

4. Represented sellers in stock sale to non-U.S. buyer of multi-state distribution business, after representing business in numerous acquisitions, financing and as outside general counsel for several years.

5. Represented client who acquired the business from his parents using self-canceling installment notes and other wealth transfer planning tools.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

Bob likes to travel to the far corners of the world and spend time with his family. He also likes playing golf, but golf does not like him.

Morris R. Saunders Partner Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: msaunders@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Wealth Management and Asset Protection Business Taxation Law Estate Planning Real Estate Ownership and Management Succession (OMS)

Experience

Morris' practice concentrates in the corporate and tax areas, and real estate transactions, including estate planning, deferred compensation, qualified and non-qualified plans. He also deals extensively in business succession and in the negotiation and preparation of commercial real estate and equipment leases, and other business agreements.

Representative Engagements

1. Represented a client who acquired ownership of real estate using a tenancy-in-common ("TICs") interest, including an appropriate tenancy-in-common agreement, to facilitate Section 1031 deferred exchanges.

2. Represented clients with assets located in various states who established an estate plan which included defective grantor trusts, wills, declarations of trusts, powers of attorney.

3. Represented clients in the transfer of ownership of their closely held business to some of their children, while making other arrangements for wealth transfer to other children. The transaction included employment agreements for clients and appropriate wealth transfer documentation.

4. Represented seller of manufacturing business in sale of unincorporated division of business to multi-national buyer and incorporated remaining business as new company.

5. Represent health care services provider with centers in various states in the Midwest, South and Southwest. Represent clients in acquisitions, divestitures, joint venture arrangements and all non-regulatory legal matters. Formulated and helped implement ownership and management succession structure.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

Morris is a member of the Chicago Estate Planning Counsel and the Trust Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. He has spoken to various professional and community groups about estate planning, trusts, estates, business succession planning and deferred compensation.

Kenneth S. Strauss Partner Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: kstrauss@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Real Estate Investor and Developer Representation Real Estate Transactions and Leasing Foreclosure Law Creditor and Debtor Rights Real Estate Title Defect Resolution

Experience

Ken specializes in real estate investor and developer representation, commercial real estate transactions foreclosure law and workouts. Ken regularly represents bidders at court-ordered sales and lenders in foreclosures. Ken also has extensive expertise in resolving title defects. In addition, Ken represents landlords and tenants in lease negotiations, forcible entry and detainer actions, as well as in other litigation.

Ken was formerly a partner at Strauss & Watychowicz, P.C., a firm he co-founded in 2003. There, Ken handled numerous real estate transactions, and litigated a variety of real estate disputes, appearing before chancery, law, housing and eviction courts in Cook County and many of the collar counties. Through his far-ranging foreclosure-related experience, Ken has developed a method that streamlines the process for bidders at judicial and other court ordered sales so as to accelerate the sale confirmation process. Ken also works closely with banks and lenders to counsel them on and through the foreclosure process, as well as regarding loan work outs, where he assists banks and lenders in loss mitigation and their decision making process.

Representative Engagements

1. Counsels individuals and investment companies on the ins and outs of foreclosure and other court ordered sale proceedings.

2. Represents a variety of banks and other lenders.

3. Negotiated waivers of rights of first refusal with a major breakfast food franchiser to enable client to proceed with sale of significant real estate parcel.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Robert S. Strauss Partner Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: rstrauss@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Business Law Estate Planning Banking Law and Commercial Transactions Foreclosure Law and Workouts Intellectual Property Law Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Ownership and Management Succession

Experience

Bob Strauss joined Levin Ginsburg in April 2005. After graduating from Chicago - Kent College of Law, he clerked for the Honorable Robert V. Boharic in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Bob's practice focuses on corporate transactions and counseling businesses of all sizes throughout their life cycle, as well as estate planning. In addition, Bob also represents several community banks. Bob has substantial experience representing entrepreneurs, and he brings to bear a unique perspective as regards avoiding and resolving disputes that go beyond dollars, such as, enforcing property rights and protecting trade secrets.

Representative Engagements

1. Represents many internet-based business owners, including marketers and advertisers, in all facets of their enterprise.

2. Successfully closed a transaction involving the sale of a client's multi-continental, nine-figure business to a publicly traded company.

3. Represented several clients in the transfer of ownership of their business to the next generation.

4. Represents a variety of community banks with regard to distressed real estate.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

Bob graduated from the University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign with a degree in biology. He received his J.D. with honors from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago Kent College of Law, where he also served as a teaching assistant for civil procedure and was an active participant in the Advice and Counseling Program. Bob and his wife are raising two daughters, both as White Sox fans, and Bob is an avid golfer and fantasy sports enthusiast.

Jonathan M. Weis Partner Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: jweis@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Real Estate and Construction Litigation Landlord and Tenant Law Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Expertise Business Law Ownership and Management Succession (OMS)

Experience

Jonathan joined Levin Ginsburg upon graduation from law school in 1996. As a partner at Levin Ginsburg, his practice focuses primarily on litigation and dispute resolution. Jonathan has extensive complex litigation and trial experience, and represents large multi-national and public companies as well as smaller businesses and individuals.

He serves as the Firm's hiring partner.

Representative Engagements

1. Represented a telecommunications client defending a 10-count complaint alleging, among other things, breach of contract, tortious interference with contract and violations of the Illinois Trade Secrets Act which, after a lengthy trial, resulted in a complete exoneration of the client, with judgment entered in favor of the client on all counts.

2. Prosecuted claims on behalf of a major national landlord against an anchor commercial tenant in a marquee Chicago building in a high-profile, landlord-tenant dispute resulting in a favorable resolution for the client.

3. Represent various privately and publicly held tobacco companies in litigation with 46 states related to commercial issues stemming from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement.

4. Successfully prosecuted unfair competition and Lanham Act claims on behalf of a sports product manufacturer client resulting in the imposition of emergency injunctive relief in favor of our client.

5. Represent gas station and convenience store owners, lessors and lessees and petroleum product wholesalers in a variety of commercial and real estate transactions, government compliance issues and litigation.

Education

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

Jonathan enjoys world travel and spending time with his wife, Lisa.  Jonathan attended Cornell University and received his J.D from the University of Illinois, College of Law, cum laude. He has devoted time to the Cornell University Tower Club as a fund raising volunteer. He is the current chair of the Chicago Bar Association Committee on Civil Practice and Procedure.

Michael L. Weissman Of Counsel Tel: (312) 368-0100 Fax: 312-368-0111 Email: mweissman@lgattorneys.com download vCard Practice Areas Business Law Commercial Lending Commercial Law Real Estate and Commerical Loan Restructuring and Workouts Banking Law

Experience

Michael Weissman's practice is devoted to financial and business transactions including the structuring of a wide variety of financing transactions. He has also actively prosecuted civil and bankruptcy matters on behalf of financial institutions and defended lender liability lawsuits. He has a wealth of experience in the legal and business aspects of secured and unsecured lending for all types of credit facilities. During his career, he has represented most of the major banks and commercial lenders in the Chicago area. Mike applies his significant experience so that deals are closed at reasonable costs and value is added for his clients and their businesses and transactions. He formerly served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Bridgeview Bank Group.

Mike has frequently published articles in journals devoted to banking and commercial finance. Among the most recent are: "A Creditor's Guide to Article 9 Compliance" in the April 2007 Illinois Bar Journal, "Current Issues for Secured Lenders" in the March 2007 Banking Law Journal, "The Liability of a Bank for the Misconduct of its Officer" in the 2007 Supplement to the Lexis Nexis treatise on Commercial Damages, "Zoning In and Out of the Zone of Insolvency" in 2010 Supplement to the Lexis Nexis treatise on Commercial Damages and "Commercial Lending Developments in the US" in the March 2008 edition of Financier Worldwide magazine.

Mike is the author of the book Lender Liability: How to Protect Yourself Against Unwarranted Lawsuits, published by Executive Enterprise Publications Co., Inc. in 1988, and is a contributor to The Banker's Guide to Multi-Bank Credits and Loan Participations, published by Executive Enterprise Publications Co., Inc. in 1989. He is also the author of the chapter, "Commercial Loan Restructuring Agreements", which appears in IICLE's book on Illinois Business Documents 1993, the author of the chapter, "The Secured Loan Agreement and the Guaranty", which appears in IICLE's book on Illinois Business Documents 1994, the chapter, "Documenting Commercial Loans" in IICLE's book on Illinois Business Documents 1995 and the chapter, "Guaranties" in IICLE's 2001 book on Secured Transactions and the 2009 Supplement. He is currently a member of the board of editors of Matthew Bender's treatise on Commercial Damages, having written Chapters 7 and 8.

Mike currently authors a column titled "Tales of Whoa!" for The RMA Journal and writes "Flashpoints", a monthly internet column on recent developments of interest to financial services attorneys for the Illinois Institute on Continuing Legal Education with a circulation of 1,250 subscribers.

Mike presents seminars called "Documenting Commercial Loans: Doing It Right!" in the Master Teachers series of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education. In addition, he frequently conducts in-house training programs for major financial institutions throughout the country and has served as an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School teaching Secured Transactions. He also teaches commercial loan documentation and mortgage lending seminars in the Mentor program of the Risk Management Association. He created a course on Commercial and Industrial Loan Documentation for the Risk Management Association. He has also served as a consultant to UCC Plus Division of Fidelity Financial.

Mike is a member of the Committee on Commercial Financial Service of the ABA's Section on Business Law; a former director of the Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys; a former vice chairman of the Bank Counsel Committee of the Illinois Bankers Association; a director, member of the Executive Committee and past chairman of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education; and former chairman of the Banking Group at the Union League Club of Chicago.

Representative Engagements

1. Arranged for two layers of financing and closed a transaction in which a manufacturing company acquired its former parent corporation from a non-US seller.

2. Represented the lender in the negotiations for sale of the assets of a borrower to a competitor that avoided a bankruptcy filing.

3. Represented the borrower in negotiations with its lender to restructure credit facilities to avoid a declaration of default and foreclosure proceedings.

4. Represented the lender in facilitating credit to a borrower ousted from a family business and needing funding to finance litigation.

Education

Mike received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Northwestern University, received his M.B.A. from the Wharton Graduate Division of the University of Pennsylvania, was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Sydney Faculty of Law, Sydney, Australia, and earned his J.D. from the Harvard Law School. He has received Fulbright Senior Specialist Awards to lecture at the School of Business Administration Turiba in Riga, Latvia and at the National University in Vientiane, Laos. He has also taught students in Capetown, South Africa under the auspices of the International Senior Lawyers BLA Project of the American Bar Association.

Courts and Bar Admissions

Personal

A Chicago native, Mike has served the legal profession with a thirteen-year tenure on the Board of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, and by teaching law students and other lawyers and writing articles for local, national and international publications.