Collaborative Divorce: Collaborative divorce is driven by agreement of the parties to communicate and negotiate through the process, while still relying on their individual attorneys to provide legal advice and protect personal interests.
Child Support
Representing individuals in all aspects of family law, including divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, child relocation, child support, alimony, maintenance, post-decree matters, orders of protection, pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements and cases involving the entry of qualified domestic relations orders or QDROs;
Child Custody and Visitation
We recognize that matters of child custody are of paramount importance. Our experienced team helps navigate the complexities of child custody proceedings. Our goal is to advocate for the best interests of the child while ensuring that your rights as a parent are protected.
Adoption
Our lawyers are skilled at guiding families through the joyous and transformative process of adoption. Whether you are pursuing domestic or stepparent adoption, we are committed to facilitating a seamless transition into your new family dynamic.
Known for tenacity, professionalism, and integrity, Zuba’s successful litigation track record in family law, personal injury, and criminal law coupled with a business background and understanding of financial issues, make him an elite in this field.
Wrongful Death
Trying a week-long wrongful death jury trial with his partner, Jim Devine, which exonerated the firm’s client of any wrongdoing, despite plaintiff’s request for a $12,500,000 award from the jury.
Fraud
Litigating whistle-blower cases brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act (31 USC § 3729, et seq.) for Medicare fraud.
Theft
Embezzlement
Successfully representing Texas veterinarians and ranchers in a federal civil forfeiture case under 18 USC § 981(a)(1)(c), relating to Rita Crundwell’s embezzlement of $53 million from the City of Dixon, and the clients’ liens on Crundwell’s Texas horses, which were seized by the United States.
Restraining Order
Employment litigation in a variety of contexts, including administrative review proceedings under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, as well as cases involving breach of contract, wrongful termination, restrictive covenants, noncompetition disputes, and cases involving restraining orders under the Illinois Workplace Violence Prevention Act;
Before joining WilliamsMcCarthy LLP, Benjamin served as a law clerk in the Winnebago County Court House and a legal staffer with several law firms in Rockford, Illinois. He also was selected as a summer associate at WilliamsMcCarthy in May 2022, gaining broad experience and supporting attorneys and cases in Business/Corporate Law and Litigation practice areas.
Mergers and Acquisitions
We are experienced in guiding businesses through the intricate landscape of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Whether you are seeking to exit your business, engage in succession planning, merge with a strategic partner or contemplating the acquisition of a promising venture, our firm is committed to facilitating seamless transactions. From due diligence and contract negotiation to regulatory compliance and post-transaction integration, we stand as your trusted advisors at every step of the M&A process.
Business Formation
In addition to business formation, we offer a wide range of legal services to help your business succeed, including contract drafting and review, LLC operation agreements, bylaws, direction and shareholder wants, lease review, and real estate purchases and sales. Starting a business is a big step, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Business Disputes
We excel in providing exceptional business litigation services. With a proven track record in navigating complex commercial litigation cases, we bring a wealth of experience to the table. Whether you are contending with contract disputes, intellectual property conflicts, shareholder disagreements, or any other business-related legal matters, we approach each case with a strategic, results-driven mindset. Contact WilliamsMcCarthy today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our business litigation services.
Business Transactions
Our intellectual property attorneys work with the firm’s other practice groups to provide advice and conduct due diligence in support of business transactions featuring the sale, license or transfer of intellectual property. Facilitated by a strong culture of teamwork, WilliamsMcCarthy LLP intellectual property lawyers often draw on the expertise of the firm’s other practice specialties to achieve the client’s objectives quickly and cost-effectively.
Limited Liability Companies
Mr. Ecklund is regularly involved in establishing, maintaining and advising all types of legal entities including corporations, limited liability companies and other business organizations. In addition, he represents both for profit and not-for-profit entities serving as borrower’s counsel for bond financings, including industrial revenue bonds and financing through Rural Development and the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
Trade Secrets
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property licensing and assignment is a specialized area that is best handled by experienced attorneys. Our attorneys can help draft license agreements to protect one’s rights, and enforce those agreements whenever necessary. In the event your business is being bought or sold, the identification and effective assignment of all I.P. rights are critical.
Unfair Competition
With decades of experience and a dedication to protect your rightful intellectual property and its economic value, our attorneys handle infringement of trade secrets and unfair competition disputes. Because these assets are not registered with a governmental agency like patents or trademarks, misappropriation of a trade secret must be aggressively defended.
The Employment/Labor Group counsels clients regarding employee leaves of absence, including compliance with the FMLA, the ADA, the Illinois VESSA, and the Workers Compensation Act.
Wrongful Termination
Mr. Rollins represents a variety of private companies, not-for-profits, educational organizations, and public agencies on general corporate, labor law, law of the workplace issues, corporate organization and governance, buying and selling businesses, drafting and reviewing contracts and loan documents, statutory and regulatory compliance, handling employee discipline and terminations, defending employers against discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination claims.
Employment Discrimination
We are equipped to advise clients on a wide array of relevant federal, state and local employment-based statutes, regulations and ordinances, including the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Uniform Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Employment Contract
Navigating this complicated and constantly evolving landscape, our team will draft all necessary documents, ensure compliance, participate in mediation, prepare for governmental audits, and litigate for clients in bringing or defending a suit.
Employment Litigation
Our services extend also to assessing and analyzing client insurance policies and aggressively advocating in connection with coverage disputes. This includes cases that arise under all forms of insurance policies, including comprehensive general liability, professional liability, errors and omissions, business interruption, property and casualty insurance policies, corporate directors and officer’s liability policies, and employer’s liability policies.Our work in this area includes advising insurers, individuals, companies, and municipal entities on insurance coverage issues relating to environmental liabilities, products liability, intellectual property disputes (including trade secret and copyright matters), employment litigation, and first-party coverage claims for property and casualty losses and business interruption losses.
Daniel A. Huntley is a partner in the transactional group, concentrating his practice in corporate law, real estate law, estate and trust law and agribusiness law. Originally from Rochelle, Illinois, his clients range from multi-national corporations to local family-owned businesses to individuals.
Premises Liability
Jim has over 30 years of experience representing insurance companies and self-insureds in the defense of common law litigation in state and federal courts in northern Illinois. His experience in handling personal injury actions includes trials involving products liability, Structural Work Act, dram shop, automobile accidents, premises liability, municipal law and wrongful death. He also has experience in litigating coverage issues. He has defended criminal cases in both state and federal courts. He has tried more than 90 jury trials to verdict, along with hundreds of bench trials and arbitration cases.
Construction Litigation
Mr. Gravino has represented manufacturers, insurance companies, financial institutions, health care providers, individual medical professionals, governmental entities, and individuals. Over the course of his practice, he has represented clients in matters involving anti-trust litigation, insurance coverage disputes, environmental matters, copyright, trade secret and other intellectual property litigation, construction litigation, business suits for accounting, catastrophic injury cases, product recall matters, franchise cases, ERISA matters, non-competition agreements, and administrative litigation with governmental agencies. In addition, Mr. Gravino has handled matters relating to laws governing the Internet, such as the federal “anti-cybersquatting” law aimed at businesses that pirate the use of other companies’ trade names on the Internet.
Real Estate Transactions
Drafting and negotiation of residential and commercial real estate purchase and sale contracts, mortgage and loan transaction documentation, real estate opinion letters, and zoning and development matters.
Land Use and Zoning
Whether you’re a family-owned farm, a large-scale agribusiness, or involved in agricultural production and distribution, we offer tailored legal solutions to help you thrive. Our comprehensive services encompass farm purchase sales, zoning and land use issues, environmental compliance, contracts and transactions, as well as estate and succession planning. We help grow and protect your farming endeavors.
Marc C. Gravino is a partner in the firm’s commercial and complex litigation practice, having joined the firm in 1988. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and complex litigation, insurance coverage and defense, and personal injury and products liability.
Estate planning and estate administration are critical components of a comprehensive financial plan. Estate planning involves taking steps to ensure that your assets are protected and distributed according to your wishes after your death. Estate administration involves managing and distributing your assets after you pass away. A well-planned estate plan can minimize taxes and other expenses, as well as ensure that your loved ones are taken care of.
Wills
Daniel also assists individual clients in crafting and administering estate plans, including both wills and trusts, that balance their goals in protecting wealth from one generation to the next, providing for the efficient and orderly administration of estates, and, where possible, minimizing estate tax. Daniel also advises fiduciary trustees and executors in situations of contested wills, contested trusts, will construction, contested estate administration, fiduciary fraud, and claims of undue influence. His experience includes...
Trusts
Adam assists individual clients in crafting estate plans that balance their goals in protecting wealth from one generation to the next, providing for the efficient and orderly administration of estates, and minimizing or avoiding estate tax. Adam is a frequent lecturer to community groups, local businesses, and financial advisors on the most recent developments in estate and gift tax laws and the planning considerations that those developments bring about. His areas of concentration include family wealth transfers, design and implementation of charitable trusts, special needs trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, insurance trusts, family foundations and family limited partnerships.
Power of Attorney
In developing creative, flexible, and complete plans, our estate planning attorneys provide clients with the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions tailored to their specific circumstances. Our experienced attorneys draft and advise in the areas of basic wills; living trusts; and advance directives, such as powers of attorney for property and health care, and living wills.
Our highly skilled team represents individuals, businesses, financial institutions, for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, and other legal entities in all types of real estate-related matters including land use, zoning, condemnation, and foreclosure.
Tax Law
A product of four generations of Illinois corn and pork farmers, Daniel has the knowledge and hands-on experience counseling family farms and farming operations on business succession planning, farmland sales and acquisitions, and estate tax planning. His experience includes...