Hubbard Business Counsel

For business owners and CEOs in Illinois, particularly those in the lower middle-market, navigating the complexities of corporate transactions, growth opportunities, and potential disputes requires more than just good business sense; it demands astute legal counsel. From the initial stages of a deal to its successful completion, having a trusted legal advisor who understands the unique landscape of your business is crucial for safeguarding interests and achieving optimal results. This is precisely the specialized support offered by Hubbard Business Counsel.

Hubbard Business Counsel, founded by G. William "Bill" Hubbard II, C.P.A., J.D., operates with a primary focus on serving lower middle-market business owners and CEOs throughout Illinois. The firm's philosophy centers on creating working strategies for complex business deals from start to finish, with a steadfast commitment to each client's success. Bill Hubbard brings over 30 years of extensive experience, having previously been a partner in two of Chicago's largest law firms before establishing Hubbard Business Counsel in 1997. This background provides a unique blend of sophisticated legal expertise and a practical, client-focused approach.

The counsel provided by Hubbard Business Counsel is designed to guide clients through the "minefields of business and legal challenges and opportunities" towards their successes. Client matters frequently revolve around the sale, purchase, and financing of businesses, as well as joint ventures, partnership and corporate organizational challenges, capital raises, and key agreements. The firm emphasizes achieving the client's optimum result as effectively and efficiently as possible. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of Hubbard Business Counsel, highlighting its Chicago location, core services, distinctive features, and why it stands as a highly suitable legal partner for businesses and their owners across Illinois.

Strategic location and accessibility are key considerations for business owners seeking legal counsel, especially when dealing with time-sensitive transactions or ongoing corporate matters. Hubbard Business Counsel is conveniently situated in a prime location within Chicago, ensuring their services are readily available to clients throughout Illinois.

The firm's office is located at 191 N Wacker Dr Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60606, USA. This address places Hubbard Business Counsel directly in the heart of Chicago's central business district, commonly known as the Loop. The building on North Wacker Drive is a modern and professional high-rise, providing a conducive and confidential environment for client meetings and legal work.

The strategic placement of this office ensures excellent accessibility via Chicago's robust public transportation network. Numerous CTA 'L' train lines (including the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines) and a wide array of city bus routes have stops within easy walking distance of 191 N Wacker Drive. This connectivity makes it highly convenient for business owners and executives commuting from various neighborhoods within Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, and even for those traveling from other parts of Illinois. For clients who prefer to drive, multiple public parking garages are available in the immediate vicinity, though it is always advisable to factor in downtown Chicago traffic and parking conditions when planning a visit.

Beyond the physical location, Hubbard Business Counsel also leverages modern communication tools, including phone consultations, to provide flexibility and extend their reach to clients throughout Illinois who may find it challenging to visit the downtown office in person. This commitment to accessibility underscores their dedication to serving the diverse needs of the Illinois business community.

Hubbard Business Counsel specializes in providing strategic legal advice and representation to lower middle-market business owners and CEOs. Their services are designed to address the full spectrum of legal needs that arise during the business lifecycle, particularly focusing on transactional and corporate matters. While the firm handles a wide array of business legal issues, their core services frequently center around:

• Business Sales and Acquisitions (M&A): Guiding clients through the complex process of buying or selling a business. This includes:

  • Selling a Family or Other Business: Advising owners on considerations beyond just financial security, such as family legacy and long-term objectives, when evaluating potential sales. This includes navigating approaches from investment bankers, business brokers, and other intermediaries.

  • Buying a Business: Assisting buyers in due diligence, negotiation, and structuring purchase agreements for various types of businesses, whether it's their first acquisition or a strategic expansion.

  • Pre-Deal Coaching: Providing comprehensive guidance to clients on the entire deal landscape, its dynamics, the business/legal interface, and the often-emotional aspects involved in buying or selling a company.

• Business Financing: Counseling clients on securing financing for their businesses, including debt and equity financing, and structuring related agreements.

• Joint Ventures and Partnerships: Advising on the formation, structuring, and governance of joint ventures and various partnership agreements, ensuring clear terms and protecting client interests.

• LLC or Corporate Organizational Challenges: Assisting with the formation, structuring, and ongoing governance of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and corporations, addressing internal disputes, and ensuring compliance.

• Capital Raises: Guiding businesses through the process of raising capital, including private equity and venture capital transactions, ensuring legal compliance and favorable terms.

• Key Business Agreements: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide spectrum of essential business contracts to manage opportunities and mitigate risks, including commercial contracts, vendor agreements, and licensing agreements.

• Neutral Negotiation Services: Offering services for parties seeking to avoid high legal fees in protracted negotiations by providing a neutral perspective to facilitate agreement, particularly useful where a deal might otherwise fall apart.

• Customized Advisory Board Packages: Advising family-owned and lower middle-market companies on establishing effective governance and advisory boards to add immense value, accelerate growth, and ensure survival in competitive markets.

Hubbard Business Counsel's services are tailored to help clients achieve their optimum results under various business circumstances, always with a focus on effectiveness and efficiency.

Hubbard Business Counsel stands out as a distinguished legal partner for businesses in Illinois due to several compelling features and highlights:

• Founding Partner's Extensive Experience and Recognition: The firm is led by G. William "Bill" Hubbard II, who brings over 30 years of experience to the table. His background includes being a partner in two of Chicago's largest law firms before founding Hubbard Business Counsel in 1997. He is a C.P.A. and J.D., combining financial acumen with legal expertise. Bill Hubbard has also been recognized by Super Lawyers on the list of Illinois' Top Mergers and Acquisitions and Closely Held Business Attorneys, and by Illinois Leading Lawyers in those same areas. This deep experience and recognition instill confidence in clients.

• Specialized Focus on Lower Middle-Market Businesses: Unlike firms that try to be all things to all businesses, Hubbard Business Counsel has a clear specialization in serving the unique needs of lower middle-market business owners and CEOs. This focus ensures that clients receive tailored advice that directly addresses the challenges and opportunities pertinent to businesses of their size and scale in Illinois.

• Holistic "Deal Attorney" Approach: Bill Hubbard functions as a "Deal Attorney" who understands the entire deal landscape, its dynamics, and the critical interface between business and legal considerations. He provides "Pre-Deal Coaching" to clients, preparing them for the intricacies of transactions, which is especially valuable for those selling or buying a business for the first time.

• Versatile Client Representation: The firm represents a wide range of clients, from first-time buyers or sellers to multi-billion dollar private international firms expanding operations. They also assist other domestic or international legal counsel on behalf of their clients, demonstrating versatility and a capacity to handle diverse business scenarios.

• Active in Leading Legal and Business Associations: Bill Hubbard is (or has been) a member of various American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Committees (e.g., Mergers and Acquisitions, Securities, Private Equity) and Chicago Bar Association Sub-committees. He is also a founder and chair of the Middle Market Pillar of the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors. This active involvement ensures he stays current with the latest legal and business developments, directly benefiting his clients.

• Speaker and Educator: Bill Hubbard has served as faculty lecturing on M&A to other attorneys and taught the legal portion of an M&A certification course for various intermediaries and investment bankers across the country. He has also presented on topics such as LLCs, S Corporations, and family/private company leadership. This commitment to education showcases his deep knowledge and ability to articulate complex legal concepts clearly.

These features collectively make Hubbard Business Counsel a highly effective and reliable legal partner for businesses and their owners throughout Illinois, offering not just legal advice but strategic guidance rooted in extensive experience.

In the context of highly specialized business legal services, "promotions" and "special offers" are typically presented as value-added service approaches rather than conventional discounts. Hubbard Business Counsel offers several key benefits that serve this purpose for business owners and CEOs in Illinois:

• Initial Consultations to Understand Client Needs: While not explicitly stated as "free" for all services, it is common practice for a firm of this nature to provide an initial discussion or "Pre-Deal Coaching" session for prospective clients. This allows businesses to outline their challenges (e.g., potential sale, acquisition, or partnership) and explore how Hubbard Business Counsel's specialized expertise can align with their strategic objectives, without an immediate financial commitment for this exploratory phase. The website mentions "Neutral Negotiation" services that aim to avoid "huge legal fees with the potential of no deal," suggesting a focus on efficient, value-driven engagement.

• Emphasis on Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency: The firm explicitly states its goal is "always about achieving my client's optimum result — under the circumstances and as effectively and as efficiently as I can." This commitment to efficiency translates into a valuable "offer" for businesses, as it aims to minimize legal costs while maximizing outcomes. This is particularly relevant for lower middle-market businesses where budget management is crucial.

• Strategic Advisory Beyond Legal Documents: Bill Hubbard's role as a "Deal Attorney" and his emphasis on "Pre-Deal Coaching" mean clients receive strategic advice that extends beyond mere legal document drafting. This proactive and holistic guidance helps clients navigate the entire business and legal interface, potentially avoiding costly pitfalls and optimizing deal structures, which is a significant value proposition.

• Resource Sharing and Thought Leadership: Through presentations, publications, and active involvement in various legal and business associations, Bill Hubbard contributes to industry knowledge. While not direct "offers," these activities mean that clients benefit from an attorney who is constantly staying ahead of legal and market trends, ensuring the advice they receive is current and strategically sound.

These approaches collectively represent the firm's dedication to delivering maximum value, efficiency, and strategic foresight to its business clients in Illinois. Businesses interested in engaging Hubbard Business Counsel should contact the firm directly to discuss their specific needs and how their engagement terms are structured.

For business owners and CEOs in Illinois seeking strategic legal counsel from Hubbard Business Counsel, here is the relevant contact information:

• Address: 191 N Wacker Dr Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

• Phone: (312) 704-3624

When reaching out, it is advisable to have a clear understanding of your business's legal needs or the nature of the transaction you are considering. This will enable Hubbard Business Counsel to direct your inquiry to the most appropriate legal professional and begin discussing how they can help achieve your optimal business outcome.

For business owners and CEOs across Illinois, particularly those in the lower middle-market, Hubbard Business Counsel offers a highly suitable and strategic legal partnership. Their dedicated focus, extensive experience, and client-centric approach make them an ideal choice for navigating the often-complex landscape of corporate transactions and growth.

The firm's suitability for locals is rooted in several key factors. Firstly, Bill Hubbard's over 30 years of experience, including his background as a CPA and partner at large Chicago firms, brings a rare blend of financial acumen and deep legal expertise directly to Illinois businesses. This ensures that clients receive not just legal advice, but practical, results-oriented counsel that considers both the legal and business implications of their decisions. His consistent recognition by Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers in M&A and closely held business law further solidifies his standing as a trusted expert within the Illinois legal community.

Secondly, the firm's explicit specialization in serving lower middle-market businesses means that local enterprises receive tailored strategies and a level of attention that might be difficult to obtain from firms primarily catering to much larger corporations. This focus on business sales, acquisitions, financing, and corporate governance directly addresses the most pressing legal needs of many Illinois-based companies, whether they are family-owned or rapidly growing ventures. The availability of services like "Pre-Deal Coaching" and "Neutral Negotiation" demonstrates a commitment to facilitating successful outcomes efficiently.

Finally, Hubbard Business Counsel's central Chicago location ensures easy accessibility for businesses throughout the state, while their client-focused methodology prioritizes effective and efficient resolution of legal matters. For any Illinois business owner seeking a seasoned, strategic, and dedicated legal advisor to guide them through growth opportunities, significant transactions, or corporate challenges, Hubbard Business Counsel stands as an exceptionally well-equipped and reliable choice.