Top 9 Startup Lawyers & Attorneys In Chicago For 2022

August 15, 2022

Adam Hoeksema

The days of closing a business deal with a handshake are long over. Today, you will need a lawyer to look over all your documents to ensure that you are legally protected. They also ensure you are trading within the rules and regulations of State, Federal, and International laws. A sound legal foundation provided by your startup lawyer in Chicago is the best way to start a new business. You can rest assured that your business will be in safe hands.

How a Startup Lawyer in Chicago Can Help to Protect Your Business

Your business needs to be protected from the risks of dealing with third parties, and a Chicago startup lawyer will assist you with risk management. Drafting and managing contracts is another risk management strategy your lawyer or attorney helps with. Additionally, founders' agreements, employee contracts, or non-disclosure agreements with clients and other parties minimize risk to your business and assets. Protecting your intellectual property and ideas through trademark, patent, and copyright registrations is as essential as having contracts. 

As you can see, numerous factors at the beginning of your business will need the knowledge and input from a professional Chicago startup lawyer. Sometimes, a court will read something very different between the lines. If you did not set up your business with the correct legal foundation, it could cost you dearly in both courts and legal fees.

All of this may sound a bit overwhelming, but let's look at Chicago startup lawyers below so that you can start your business journey with the legal backing you need.

  1. Andresen & Associates

Andresen & Associates supports startups and entrepreneurs by helping them avoid the unseen pitfalls that can be overlooked when starting a business. They assist startups with all types of contracts; drafting, reviewing, and revising business agreements; as well as trademark, copyright, and intellectual property protection; and licensing and partnership agreements with entertainment enterprises. Through attention to detail, they offer each client an individually crafted solution rather than an 'off-the-shelf' approach which does not always address an issue effectively. 

  1. Collateral Base

Being a startup lawyer in Chicago, Collateral Base understands the needs of startups and the legal journey they are taking. They assist new businesses with all their requirements, from filing legal documents with the Secretary of State to drafting contracts to selecting the best corporate entity for your new business. Another service they offer is protecting your ideas through copyright agreements and patent and trademark filing. Their counsel will help you minimize risks and losses while advising on how to minimize your liabilities.

  1. Frame Zeller

The dedicated Chicago startup lawyer team at Frame Zeller works closely with new startups through each phase of their growth and expansion. It deals with business transactions and litigation matters. Their primary focus falls on small businesses and startups. The team's strategic insight assists startups in integrating new or existing markets and industries. Their professional network connects startups with service providers such as accountants, web developers, designers, copywriters, PR professionals, and insurance agents. They also offer a fixed-fee or flat-rate basis for dealing with legal matters to assist startups with their budgets.

  1. Sentient Law, Ltd.

Sentient Law, a startup attorney in Chicago, believes in forming a long-term strategic partnership with their startup clients rather than only thinking about billable hours or bottom lines. They value the attorney-client relationship, and through open and honest communication, they will advise you on all your legal matters, from starting your business (entity planning, selection, and formation; and contract and agreement drafting) to more complex matters such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, DAOs, through competent representation and knowledgeable legal counsel. 

  1. Jayaram Law

To guide companies as they grow, Jayram Law provides startups tailored services regarding the full suite of legal documents they will need to start their business journey. As a startup attorney in Chicago, they also offer trademark counsel, intellectual property protection, and advising startups on all aspects of the business's corporate life. Startups can use their flat-fee packages to ensure they have affordable and expert legal representation at their side from the start.

  1. The Law Office of Ebere N. Ekechukwu & Associates, P.C.

The Law Office of Ebere N. Ekechukwu & Associates helps entrepreneurs take their first steps into the business world. They offer a range of services, including filing the necessary documents for starting a business with the Secretary of State and IRS and contract negotiations. They also represent and assist home health care businesses as a startup lawyer in Chicago. They offer industry-specific counsel on regulatory matters and assist small businesses in running their businesses within the legal framework of the law. They are also a part of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

  1. Waypoint Estate and Business Planning

Collaboration with industry professionals is at the heart of Waypoint Estate and Business Planning's philosophy when they assist entrepreneurs. As a startup attorney in Chicago, they offer a wide range of business services, including advice on business law, assisting startups with the formation of an entity, and trademark protections or license agreements. They help businesses devise legally sound business strategies to achieve their goals and growth. Drafting, negotiating, and reviewing contracts is another service they offer to help businesses operate legally and with the least risk and liability.

  1. Harper Legal

The dedicated team at Harper Legal joined forces with Thompson Hine in 2022. This will enable clients to access 144 areas of law—one of which is new business law. The New Ventures team represents companies of all sizes and stages in technology, health care, life sciences, consumer products, nanomaterials, transportation, and a whole host of others. As a startup lawyer in Chicago, Harper Legal will continue to serve startups with all their legal requirements, from starting to building an empire. 

  1. Gate & Bridge Law Firm

As a startup attorney in Chicago, Gate & Bridge Law Firm assists startups with all their legal needs. They can assist with entity formations such as LLCs and corporations and draft and prepare operating agreements, by-laws, resolutions, partnership, shareholder, and founder agreements to protect all stakeholders' interests and protect trademarks and trade secrets through filing non-disclosure agreements and registration with the relevant bodies. Because contracts are vital to protect all parties, they also offer contract drafting, review, and negotiations with existing and new vendors. Gate & Bridge can assist with employment matters such as hiring, employee handbooks, and compliance. They can also draft, review, and negotiate commercial leases as well as commercial real estate purchases or sales.

Your Chicago Startup Lawyer is Your Business's Best Friend

When you start a new business, it is crucial to understand and comply with the legal requirements of your State. A knowledgeable and competent startup lawyer in Chicago will guide and inform you on how to get your business off the ground. The typical procedures for new enterprises are filing legal paperwork with the Secretary of State, acquiring a company license, and registering with local municipalities.

Another aspect of getting your business up and running is to know and predict your potential income and losses. Let our Excel-based business projection templates become your financial best friend too. Built with a five-year profit and loss projections, balance sheets, and cash flow projections, we're here to help you plan and raise investments, secure an SBA loan, plan your next venture, or even expand your business. One of our experts will prepare a custom video and walk you through your projections with feedback to ensure you are ready to change the world with your life-changing ideas.

About the Author

Adam is the Co-founder of ProjectionHub which helps entrepreneurs create financial projections for potential investors, lenders and internal business planning. Since 2012, over 50,000 entrepreneurs from around the world have used ProjectionHub to help create financial projections.

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