Summary
Entrepreneurial, transaction based attorney and counselor with a track record of developing strategic business programs to drive revenue growth for new and established privately-held corporations pursuing opportunity to apply the broad base of 10 years of experience in a driven team environment.
Job Details
Job Skills
Keywords
Responsibilities
Attorney/Solo Practitioner, Admitted to Illinois Bar May 1998
March 2000 – Current
- Manage and coordinate all aspects of existing private commercial transaction practice.
- Serve as general counsel and partner in real estate acquisition company that targets multi-unit residential and commercial properties.
Negotiated and secured $5 million line of credit with banks to support business operations.
Identify revenue generating properties for purchase and manage reconstruction projects.
Underwrite assets, conduct title review and oversee litigation.
Review financials and counsel on market evolution.
- Advised on initial corporate structures for restaurants, mass media, software, franchises, import/export, “green” construction material, multi service operations, manufacturing entities and media/advertising firms.
Negotiated franchise rights, permits, location identification, concept design, and licensure for a Coyote Ugly Bar/Restaurant investment group.
Secured national distribution rights and financing for LED message boards manufactured in South Korea for Illinois based sign manufacturing company.
Structured $1M in private financing for Illinois based media company.
Secured funding and distribution avenues for Ireland based renewable energy trust.
Provided research on viability of wind turbine use in Northwest Indiana brownfields.
- Served as initial general counsel and corporate board member for newly formed manufacturing, food service, software, and import/export corporations.
Counseled on executive hiring and expenditures.
Negotiated service contracts with Fortune 500 companies.
- Restructured 20+ insolvent privately held corporate entities.
Approved expenditures and controlled accounts.
Consolidated and negotiated accounts payable and government debt eliminating 60%+ of unsecured creditors.
Inventoried and appraised assets and determined valuation in event of liquidation.
Childress & Zdeb, Ltd.
Associate, November 1998 – March 2000
- Commercial litigation practice focused on health care law, fraud and contract disputes.
Executed all aspects of case preparation including negotiations, valuation, written discovery, depositions, drafting and arguing substantive motions, and client counseling.
Identified and secured key resources in development of new practice area related to residential mold contamination which became a primary income generator for firm.
City of Chicago Department of Law, Municipal Prosecutions Division
Assistant Corporation Counsel, August 1997 – November 1998
- Assisted in training of new Tort Division attorneys for depositions and arbitrations.
- Prosecuted violations in the 1st Municipal Division Branch Courts.
- Assisted in strategic development and implementation of the City of Chicago suit against hand-gun manufacturers.
Researched financial impact of hand guns on City services as compared to other municipalities in US.
Identified constitutional limitations on undercover gun purchases in communities adjoining Chicago.
Reviewed all acquired undercover video and weapon purchases in support of the City of Chicago’s complaint.
Assisted in media production of weapon display and test firing prior to filing complaint.
Center for Conflict Resolution, Chicago, Illinois
Mediator, March 1996 – November 1998
- Served as a neutral problem solver in start-up mediation service.
- Facilitated resolutions in juvenile criminal, personal injury, wrongful death, employment discrimination, landlord and tenant, and contract disputes.
