Securities Lawyers for Joliet, Illinois
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Demetre K.
A seasoned attorney with deep General Counsel experience and a flexible, business-minded approach to legal leadership. Skilled in collaborating with product, sales, operations, finance, and executive teams — not just to mitigate risk or ensure compliance, but to enable growth, innovation, and efficient deal execution. In my current practice at GCBench, I offer scalable, on-demand counsel tailored to organizations’ changing needs. Legal rigor is combined with operational sensibility, making guidance a facilitator rather than a hurdle. Whether structuring transactions, advising on regulatory matters, or shaping policies, legal strategy is aligned tightly with business objectives.
"Demetre was really easy to work with and made everything feel comfortable from the start. He explained things in a way that was easy to understand, answered my questions without making it feel rushed, and took extra time during the consultation to make sure I understood what was needed. Very professional, easy to talk to, and overall a really good experience. I definitely appreciate his help and would recommend him."
Harry N.
Experienced business advisor and in-house counsel with extensive litigation experience, representing parties in a variety of complex commercial disputes, including securities, financial fraud, contract, and antitrust litigation.
"Harry was super thorough and thoughtful in reviewing my contract drafts. A pleasure to work with. Highly recommend!"
March 5, 2025
JOANNE B.
I am an Illinois-barred attorney with 20 years of in-house government and affordable housing experience. I have had responsibilities of a member of the Office of a Chief Legal Officer, am an adaptable "Jill of all trades," and have strong operations and business acumen. I'm also well equipped to work in fast-paced, multi-priority environments, learn new areas of law and deal with unique situations.
March 9, 2025
Christopher R.
Over the course of the past 30 years, in both General Counsel roles (3 times) and in private practice, I have built a successful national real estate transaction, construction, and environmental law practice
May 21, 2025
Ethan B.
Ethan specializes in preparing and structuring transactional deals and advising business owners as outside general counsel. Ethan enjoys working with business owners and entrepreneurs who strive to achieve growth through utilizing modern-day solutions and implementing business strategies that get results. Ethan is passionate about helping families and individuals with disabilities to design, form, and administer special needs trusts, ensuring individuals with disabilities remain eligible for federal and state benefit programs while living their best lives. Ethan has experience from previous firms in civil litigation, estate planning, and regulatory matters. Ethan holds a JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law, and a Masters of Law in Taxation (LLM) from Georgetown Law University Law Center. Prior to law practice, Ethan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was promoted to Chief Editor at a regional news publication.
August 27, 2025
Walid T.
Walid J. Tamari, founder and named member of Tamari Law Group, LLC, is widely recognized as one of the nation's top litigators. In 2018, Mr. Tamari was one of only 25 attorneys in the United States to be recognized by the prestigious National Law Journal as a Trailblazer Lawyer. The publication features lawyers who have “shown a deep passion and perseverance of their mission, having achieved remarkable successes along the way.” In addition, America's Top 100 Attorneys® and the National Trial Lawyers have included Mr. Tamari in their top 100 Illinois attorneys lists and the Business Tort Trial Lawyers Association has also selected Mr. Tamari in its “Illinois Top 10” list. Further, for several years, Benchmark Litigation: The Definitive Guide to America's Leading Litigation Firms has chosen Tamari Law Group as one of approximately 25 ranked litigation firms in Illinois. Mr. Tamari is also the past national chair of the Commercial Law League of America's complex commercial litigation committee, a committee comprised of attorneys throughout the nation who practice complex litigation. A distinguished litigator, Mr. Tamari represents clients in high-stakes and high profile civil litigation. He provides clients with result-oriented legal advice and representation in a wide-range of disputes, including claims relating to breach of contract, negligence, business tort and pharmaceutical liability litigation. Mr. Tamari has appeared on CBS News, NBC News, WGN News and Fox News and has been quoted in, among other publications, Forbes, Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Mr. Tamari also teaches entrepreneurship law at Loyola University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business. Committed to giving back to the community, Mr. Tamari has established scholarships at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Loyola University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business. He has served on national advisory boards at Loyola University of Chicago, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation's Neurosurgery Council.
September 18, 2025
George M.
I am a corporate lawyer with extensive experience assisting clients of all sizes, from solo practitioners to enterprise-level international corporations. Over the course of my career, I have negotiated, drafted, and reviewed thousands of contracts spanning a wide range of industries and complexities. My practice is focused on delivering practical, business-oriented legal solutions that help clients protect their interests and achieve their goals.
December 9, 2025
Kevin F.
Hi, I’m Kevin Flaherty, an Illinois-licensed attorney with extensive experience negotiating and drafting complex commercial agreements for engineering firms, technology companies, public agencies, and small-to-mid-sized businesses. Over the course of my career, I’ve: Led negotiations on domestic and international contracts, including engineering services agreements, EPC arrangements, SaaS licensing, MSAs, purchase/supply agreements, NDAs, and other mission-critical commercial documents. Developed risk-allocation strategies around indemnities, liability limits, flow-downs, multi-party contracting structures, and high-stakes project frameworks. Built contract playbooks, drafting standards, review matrices, and workflows designed to help clients understand their risks clearly and move deals forward with confidence. Provided training and guidance to internal teams and leadership on contract strategy, compliance considerations, and best practices. I bring not only legal expertise, but also a practical, problem-solving mindset—translating dense legal terms into actionable business decisions and helping clients protect their interests without losing momentum.
July 5, 2026
Jordan B.
Former Kirkland & Ellis litigator. 3x business owner before law school. Motivated to solve commercial disputes using legal tools from a business lens.
July 30, 2026
Leonid M.
Leonid Murashkovskiy is an experienced attorney and licensed real estate broker based in Texas, specializing in real estate transactions, corporate law, business consulting, and estate planning. As the founder of Leonid Murashkovskiy, PLLC, and co-founder of Skyline Realty, Leonid brings a comprehensive multi-disciplinary perspective to contract law and asset management, having navigated complex transactions from initial acquisition and financing to development, portfolio compilation, and disposition throughout his career. Licensed to practice law in Texas and Illinois, Leonid earned his Juris Doctor in 2011 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, building upon extensive foundational experience as a mortgage loan officer, escrow officer, and paralegal. This diverse background equips him with deep practical insight into the mechanics of property and corporate deals, allowing him to deliver sharp, strategic counsel to clients managing intricate transactions and corporate operations.
August 4, 2026
Dillon N.
I’m a real estate and tax attorney focused on helping property owners, investors, and businesses navigate the legal and financial sides of real estate. At Relias Law Group, I work on everything from tax assessment appeals to real estate closings and pre-acquisition due diligence. My goal is always the same: make sure clients are protected, well-informed, and getting the most out of their investments. Before this chapter of my career, I spent years in corporate law and litigation, handling deals, disputes, and everything in between. That experience gave me a strong foundation in business law and a good sense of how to get things done practically, not just legally. Along the way, I got interested in how law firms actually work — and more importantly, how they can work better. I’ve helped build and lead legal innovation efforts, introduced new tech and workflows, and worked hands-on with law firms and legal tech companies to modernize how we deliver legal services. I like solving problems, building systems, and making the legal process smoother for everyone involved. Outside of work, I’m a proud dad, lifelong learner, and occasional sailor who believes law should be as human-centered and forward-thinking as the people it serves.
August 19, 2026
Liliana O.
Liliana O’Shea founded and leads Escorcia Law, P.C., a corporate generalist firm focused on transactional matters for businesses across industries. She works with organizations of varying sizes — from small and mid-size businesses to larger corporations — advising on a broad range of corporate and regulatory matters, industry-agnostic in her approach. A Spanish-speaking immigrant from Barranquilla, Colombia, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado and earned her law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 2011. Her clients note her focus on asking key questions early in a matter to build the right strategy for each engagement. She lives in Chicago with her husband and young daughters.
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Browse Lawyers NowSecurities Legal Questions and Answers
Securities
Fundraising Contract
New York
Can I legally raise funds through cryptocurrency for my startup?
I am an entrepreneur looking to raise funds for my startup through an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), a form of cryptocurrency crowdfunding. However, I am unsure about the legal implications and regulations surrounding this method of fundraising. I want to ensure that I am in compliance with relevant laws and regulations to avoid any legal issues in the future.
John B.
Raising funds through an ICO is legally possible —but only if you navigate securities laws, money‐transmission rules and (often) state “blue‐sky” requirements. Below is a roadmap to the U.S. legal framework you must consider; I’ve included statute citations and SEC guidance where relevant. 1. Determine Whether Your Token Is a “Security” Key Point: If your token meets the definition of an “investment contract” under U.S. law, it’s a security. Selling a security to U.S. investors without registration (or a valid exemption) violates the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Conduct a “Howey analysis” for your token. Retain counsel to document why—factually and legally—you believe it’s not a security (if that’s your position). But be prepared that the SEC will likely view it as a security offering. 2. If It’s a Security, Register or Find an Exemption Choose the exemption that best fits (e.g., 506(c) if you have only accredited investors and want to market openly). File Form D for Reg D, or engage an SEC-registered crowdfunding portal for Reg CF, or go through Form 1-A for Reg A+. Each has different reporting burdens and limitations. 3. State (“Blue‐Sky”) Securities Laws Even if you rely on a federal exemption like Reg D Rule 506, most states impose their own registration or notice filings. For each state where you permit a sale, either file the required Form U-2 (for 506 offerings) or register/claim exemption. Most startups rely on the uniform notice procedure under 506 to simplify compliance. 4. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) / Know-Your-Customer (KYC) Rules Even if you structure your ICO as a non-security (which is rare), you must still comply with anti-money-laundering laws if your token is considered a “virtual currency” under FinCEN’s rules. If you accept USD (or other fiat) in exchange for tokens, register as an MSB with FinCEN, build out an AML compliance program, obtain state money-transmitter licenses where required (e.g., New York BitLicense), and integrate a robust KYC/AML vendor at token sale. I have been heavily involved in this space since 2017 - feel free to reach out John@BenemeritoLaw.com
Securities
Stock Option Agreement
California
Stock option agreement and stock splits?
I am an employee of a company that is planning to offer stock options as part of my compensation package. I am trying to understand what would happen if my company does a stock split. Would my stock options be affected by the split, and if so, how? I want to make sure I understand the implications of a stock split before I accept the stock options as part of my compensation.
Thaddeus W.
Good question! Typically, a stock split will result in an appropriate adjustment to an option award so that, after the adjustment, the option holder (you, in this case) is "made whole" -- that is, you are effectively in the same place economically (as far as this option is concerned) after the split with the option as you were before. If you look at your company's Stock Plan (the plan under which your options were authorized and granted to you), you will probably find a section called "Changes in Capitalization." (Or, you can search to document for the word "split" and may be able to find the governing provision that way.) The provision might be included in your Stock Option Agreement, but typically it is covered in the Plan. Anyway, the provision (wherever it is located in your documents) would normally say something along the lines of the following: "In the event of a stock split (and other events), the following will occur: (i) the numbers and class of shares covered by your option award, (ii) the exercise price per share of each outstanding option, and (iii) any applicable repurchase price per share issued under any option award, will be automatically proportionately adjusted in the event of a stock split (or other event)." (Usually the language is even more "legalesey" but that's pretty much the jist of it.) Of course, its impossible to say for sure in your situation (or in any other specific situation) without seeing the relevant documents and knowing all other relevant details, but that would be the typical approach.
Securities
Convertible Note
Ohio
Convertible note vs. KISS agreement?
I am an early-stage startup founder looking to raise capital. I am exploring different financing options and am trying to decide between a Convertible Note and a KISS agreement. I want to understand the differences between these two financing options, and the advantages and disadvantages of each, in order to make an informed decision.
Paul S.
Probably the primary difference is that a convertible note is debt, with interest and a maturity date. I do a lot of work with startups, and I rarely see convertible notes used anymore, and never see KISS agreements used. SAFEs are much more prevalent. That being said, there are a lot of different variables in all these instruments, and you should never just download a template and use it without customizing to your needs and discussing it with an experienced startup attorney. There are also securities law considerations. Raising financing from investors is not a good DIY project.
Securities
Subscription Agreement
California
Is it possible to modify a Subscription Agreement after it has been signed?
I recently entered into a Subscription Agreement with a company to purchase shares in their business. However, since signing the agreement, I have come across some unexpected financial circumstances that may prevent me from fulfilling my obligations under the original terms. I am wondering if it is possible to modify the Subscription Agreement to accommodate these changes, or if I am legally bound to the original terms of the agreement.
Christopher N.
The short answer, as with all legal questions, is: it depends. You can certainly propose modify or be reased from your obligations, and depending on the company, your circumstances, your relationship, and their financial position, the company may be willing to entertain accomodations. It doesn't hurt to ask. Be prepared, however, for "penalties," which could mean the loss of your entire investment, significant reductions in the amount of your investment, etc. You may want to consider approaching other investors to see they would be willing to purchase some or all of your stake -- perhaps at a greater value than the company would offer. We highly recommend you consult with a business or securities attorney to be advise you the specifics of your agreement and explore exit or other strategies. Good luck!
Securities
Offering Memorandum
New York
Can a company be exempt from filing SEC reports if it meets certain criteria?
I am currently researching the requirements for SEC reporting and I came across the concept of exemptions. I understand that certain companies, such as small businesses, may be exempt from filing SEC reports if they meet certain criteria. However, I am unsure about the specifics of these exemptions and the criteria that need to be met. I would like to know if a company can be exempt from filing SEC reports and what these criteria might be.
Danny J.
So to answer your question, yes, certain companies can be exempt from filing SEC reports if they meet specific criteria. This area of securities law is nuanced and can significantly impact a company's regulatory obligations and costs. Let me outline some key points for you: 1. **Small Reporting Company (SRC) Status:** - Companies with public float less than $250 million or annual revenues less than $100 million may qualify for scaled disclosure requirements. 2. **Emerging Growth Company (EGC) Status:** - Available for companies with less than $1.07 billion in annual gross revenues. - Provides certain disclosure and regulatory relief for up to five years after IPO. 3. **Private Company Exemptions:** - Companies with fewer than 2,000 shareholders of record (or 500 non-accredited investors) may be exempt from registration. 4. **Foreign Private Issuer Exemptions:** - Non-U.S. companies may have different reporting requirements. 5. **Rule 12h-3 Suspension:** - Allows suspension of reporting under certain conditions, like having fewer than 300 shareholders of record. While these exemptions can provide relief from full SEC reporting requirements, determining eligibility and maintaining compliance can be complex. Factors such as company size, structure, shareholder composition, and future growth plans all play crucial roles in this determination. It's important to note that even if exempt from full reporting, companies may still have obligations under state securities laws or to their shareholders. Additionally, the benefits of exemption should be weighed against potential drawbacks, such as reduced access to capital markets or decreased investor confidence. Given the complexities and potential consequences of misapplying these exemptions, it would be prudent to conduct a thorough analysis of your specific situation. Would you like to discuss your company's particulars to determine which exemptions, if any, might apply and how to strategically approach your SEC reporting obligations?
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