Small Business Lawyers for Joliet, Illinois

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Meet some of our Joliet Small Business Lawyers

Demetre K. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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5.0 (3)
Member Since:
September 12, 2025

Demetre K.

Founder & Principal
Free Consultation
Chicago, Illinois
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
Yale Law School

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.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Outstanding work, very thorough and pleasant to work with. Demetre offered to help beyond what he needed to. I would definitely use his services again."

Harry N. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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5.0 (16)
Member Since:
November 21, 2025

Harry N.

Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
Anoka, MN
20 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL MN
University of Minnesota

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.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Again, really thorough in his lay out and analysis. I'm looking forward to working with him again!"

JOANNE B. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
March 5, 2025

JOANNE B.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago,Illinois
29 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
DePaul Unversity

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.

Christopher R. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
March 9, 2025

Christopher R.

Owner-Manager
Free Consultation
Urbandale, Iowa
33 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL IA, MO
Saint Louis University

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

Ethan B. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
May 21, 2025

Ethan B.

Managing Partner
Free Consultation
Mesa, Arizona
5 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL AZ
Chicago-Kent College of Law

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.

Walid T. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
August 27, 2025

Walid T.

Managing Partner
Free Consultation
Chicago, Illinois
27 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
University of Illinois at Chicago

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.

George M. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
September 18, 2025

George M.

Managing Partner
Free Consultation
Chicago, Illinois
1 Yr Experience
Licensed in IL TX
John Marshall Law School

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.

Kevin F. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
December 9, 2025

Kevin F.

Business Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago, IL
13 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
Northern Illinois University College of Law

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.

Jordan B. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
July 5, 2026

Jordan B.

Commercial Litigator
Free Consultation
Chicago, IL
1 Yr Experience
Licensed in IL
Northwestern Law

Former Kirkland & Ellis litigator. 3x business owner before law school. Motivated to solve commercial disputes using legal tools from a business lens.

Leonid M. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
July 30, 2026

Leonid M.

Lawyer
Free Consultation
Addsion, Texas
15 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL TX
Thomas M. Cooley

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.

Dillon N. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
August 4, 2026

Dillon N.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago, IL
11 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
University of Kentucky

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.

Liliana O. - Small Business Lawyer in Joliet, Illinois
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Member Since:
August 19, 2026

Liliana O.

Founding Partner
Free Consultation
Chicago, IL
15 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL AZ
John Marshall Law School

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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Small Business Legal Questions and Answers

Small Business

Business Entity

Illinois

Asked on Mar 17, 2022

I have an LLC for rental investment. Can i use the LLC to do independent corp to corp work.

Currently employed, with investment property under LLC. Would like to do independent contract work.

T. Phillip B.

Answered Mar 25, 2022

The question isn't whether you can do it, but is whether you SHOULD do it. You definitely would be able to do other work within the LLC. However, in doing so, now you active work and passive income are getting combined which would likely subject your passive income to the 15.3% self employment tax. Let me know if you have any questions on how to structure the businesses.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Small Business

Liability Waiver

North Carolina

Asked on Nov 27, 2023

Does every participant need a liability waiver?

I am a small business owner who is planning to hold an event for a group of participants. I am looking to ensure that everyone involved is properly protected in the event of any accidents or injuries. In order to do this, I am considering having participants sign a liability waiver. I want to make sure that I have the right legal protection in place and would like to know if every participant needs to sign a liability waiver.

Shelia H.

Answered Dec 10, 2023

Yes. If you are having an event, every participant needs a liability waiver. This is especially important if the event includes activities that may result in someone getting hurt. Additionally, it provides you with an opportunity to disclose the possible hazards and an opportunity for the participant to make an informed decision regarding whether to attend and participate. Finally, even if you have a waiver, you will also want to supplement the waiver with insurance that will cover your event.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Small Business

C Corp

North Carolina

Asked on Jul 16, 2023

C corp vs. S corp: Which is better?

I am currently starting a new business and am trying to decide which corporate structure is best for my particular situation. I have heard that C corps and S corps have different advantages and disadvantages, so I am looking to get legal advice as to which would be more beneficial for me. I understand that there are many factors to consider, such as taxation, liability, and potential for growth, so I am hoping to get a better understanding of the pros and cons of each structure and which would be the most suitable for my needs.

Nicholas M.

Answered Aug 1, 2023

It would be impossible to give you a primer on all of the advantages and disadvantages, but here is a headnote version: C-Corp Pros: Ultimate flexibility with regards to ownership, control, power, etc through the issuance of one or more classes of shares. Cons: Double taxed. You will be taxes as a corporation and as an individual taking a salary from the corporation. S-Corp (this is just a C-Corp electing to be taxed under subchapter S of the IRS code): Pros: Tax advantage for owners (up to 100 people) from not double taxing. Cons: Less flexibility than C-Corp but more granular control than LLC. Depending on the situation, most companies starting out are better off starting an LLC, which has less formalities, and then converting to a S-Corp or C-Corp once they scale and can take advantage. C-Corp, S-Corp, and LLC all have the same level of liability protection if you follow the formalities for formation and maintenance. C-Corps have the most rigor and LLCs have the least. You can also consider LLP and other business structures based on co-owners or other factors that a lawyer can help you evaluate.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Small Business

Shareholders Agreement

Florida

Asked on Jun 15, 2023

Shareholders agreement and dividend policies?

I am a shareholder in a small business and am looking to understand the implications of a shareholders agreement and dividend policies on my ownership rights. I am considering entering into a shareholders agreement but want to ensure that I understand how dividends will be paid out and what rights I will have to receive my share of profits.

Daniel D.

Answered Jul 18, 2023

The shareholder agreement should specify your ownership rights and the policy on dividends. Or, the LLC Operating Agreement or Corporate By Laws could state when, to who and how frequent dividends are given out. Without seeing the shareholder agreement it is difficult to say what your rights will be and how the dividends will be paid out as each small business is unique.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Small Business

Startup Stock Option

Kansas

Asked on Jun 12, 2025

What are the key elements to include in a startup agreement?

I am in the process of starting a new business with a partner and we want to ensure that we have a solid legal foundation for our venture. We are looking to draft a startup agreement that will outline the rights, responsibilities, and ownership structure for both of us. We want to make sure that all important aspects such as equity distribution, decision-making authority, and exit strategies are properly addressed in the agreement. What are the key elements that should be included in a startup agreement to protect both parties and ensure a smooth operation of our business?

Christopher N.

Answered Jun 13, 2025

The answer to your question depends on a variety of factors, the number of partners, the amount of money involved, the underlying business, e.g., is intellectual property involved, or is it restaurant, and the combines risks associated with the business. At a minimum, you need to detail: who owns how much of the company (50/50; 30/70); how much capital is going to be invested by each party and when that money is to be invested; how is that money to be spent and who can spend that money (and what are the limits); what decisions can be made and who has to approve them (vote or unilateral decisions); who is going to manage the day-to-day operations; what are the requirements for adding capital (and where it comes from) ... and how (or when) to withdrawal capital; how are partners added (or withdrawal voluntarily or forcibly); and, much much more. However, many times forming a small company is a very simple affair, but can be complicated. We highly recommend you speak with an attorney that specializes in small businesses. A good attorney will be able to help you with formation, but also be your (non-owner) partner, "outside general counsel," and faciliator of contacts to help you grow your business. Good luck!

Read 1 attorney answer>
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