Criminal Law

• Wrongful Death
• Fraud

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  BN&F acts as general corporate counsel, and assists our clients with regard to contract negotiations, and corporate governance and compliance. The firm represents clients in corporate acquisitions, mergers and leveraged buyouts. We participate in the review and negotiation of bank loans and other financing arrangements.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
  John became associated with the Firm in 1981 and a shareholder thereafter. Since joining the firm he has specialized in tax matters and corporate advice, particularly sophisticated tax planning for individuals and business entities, mergers and acquisitions, and advising on qualified employee benefit plans including pension, profit sharing and 401(k) retirement plans, and preparing and advising on deferred compensation plans and health and welfare plans. More time is being spent on mergers, acquisitions and recapitalizations of corporations than previously, which provides for more challenging and interesting work. Especially recapitalizations for family owned corporations can provide a means for additional estate planning for an entrepreneur with a successful business which he or she wants to keep in the family.
• Business Disputes
  Prior to law school, Zach attended Bradley University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with minors in History and Business Law.
• Business Transactions
  Lynn was raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She attended Loyola University where she double majored in psychology and political science, receiving her B.S, later graduating from DePaul University College of Law. While in law school, she worked at the DePaul Legal Clinic and through the Women’s Bar Association, mentored a visually impaired law student. Lynn is the President and a director of Berger, Newmark & Fenchel. Her practice of law involves representing financial institutions and all types of entities in corporate, financial and commercial transactions, corporate acquisitions, mergers and leveraged buyouts and in the review and negotiation of bank loans and other financing arrangements. Lynn specializes in all areas of corporate and business matters and real estate, including commercial and residential transactions, as well as commercial and industrial leases. In addition, her practice includes the representation of clients in all aspects of employer and employee relations including employment discrimination, unfair labor practice litigation, policy review and strategic planning. During her career she has practiced in both State and Federal Courts and various Administrative Agencies (Local, State and Federal).
• Limited Liability Companies
  BN&F acts as general corporate counsel, and assists our clients with regard to contract negotiations, and corporate governance and compliance. BN&F prepares shareholder agreements, employment agreements, employee benefit plans and other corporate contracts. We represent clients in corporate acquisitions, mergers and leveraged buyouts and in the review and negotiation of bank loans and other financing arrangements. Our services, of course, extend to general or limited partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures and proprietorships.
• Trade Secrets
• Antitrust

Employment Law

• Wrongful Termination
  BN&F labor lawyers provide management strategy and documentation services during union organizational drives and elections. We represent our clients in labor negotiations and arbitration and mediation proceedings and appear before the National Labor Relations Board as well as other state and federal agencies. Our services include representation in wrongful discharge claims, wage and hour disputes, labor grievances, pension and benefit claims, and matters concerning non-compete agreements and trade secret misappropriation. We also handle employment discrimination and wrongful discharge issues and claims presented to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Illinois Department of Human Rights and filed before Federal and State agencies and courts.
• Employment Discrimination
  In the 1950’s the firm represented many clients in the floral industry including industry associations for which the firm negotiated multiple labor agreements, becoming the genesis of the firm’s labor and employment discrimination practice, which continues to this day. In the mid 1950’s Barry D. Elman joined the firm and a few years later, at the time William Berger retired, Ervin Feuerstein joined the firm to chair the litigation and banking practices.
• Employment Contract
  We offer general corporate counsel, and prepare agreements among shareholders, employment agreements and other corporate contracts. The firm represents clients in corporate acquisitions, mergers and leveraged buyouts. We participate in the review and negotiation of bank loans and other financing arrangements. Our services, of course, extend to general or limited partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures and proprietorships.
• Employment Litigation
  Our litigation practice includes trial and appellate work at all levels of the federal and state judicial systems. Our expertise includes specialized areas of law such as prosecution and defense of commercial, transactional, financial  and employment disputes, mechanics or other lien claims and various matters involving construction litigation.
• Non-compete Agreement

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Alex’s expertise in real estate law encompasses both transactional work and litigation. He has guided each of his clients through the complexities of buying and selling real estate, leasing and land use issues as well as representing them in real estate disputes and negotiations.
• Premises Liability
  Alex has a driven commitment to advocating for the rights of individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of others. He has successfully represented clients in a wide range of injury cases from automobile accidents, catastrophic injury cases, wrongful death, medical and professional malpractice, premises liability, construction negligence and workplace injuries, securing substantial compensation. Alex is adept at all facets of litigation, including case evaluations, depositions, managing discovery, extensive motion practice, mediations, arbitrations and trial.
• Construction Litigation
  BN&F’s litigation practice includes trial and appellate work at all levels of the Federal and State judicial systems, as well as mediation and arbitration proceedings. Our expertise includes the representation of clients in commercial and transactional disputes and specialized areas of law such as the prosecution and defense of mechanic or other lien claims and matters involving the analysis, negotiation, and litigation of construction contract matters. The firm also represents its clients in corporate, real estate, and financial litigation and litigation involving...
• Real Estate Transactions
  The real estate department advises clients in all forms of real estate transactions, including developments, purchases, sales, exchanges, leases, commercial, residential or otherwise. The firm advises developers, investors, lessors and owners of commercial properties in the acquisition, construction, development, leasing and operation of commercial properties including office buildings, hotels, condominiums, subdivisions, shopping centers and warehouses. We also provide real estate closing services and represent clients in title insurance and lien claim matters.
• Land Use and Zoning

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Alexander T. Muhtaris is a dedicated attorney with over two decades of experience advocating on behalf of individuals and businesses in a variety of legal matters. Alex has earned a reputation for excellence, integrity and unparalleled service in representation concerning personal injury, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, commercial litigation, music law and real estate. By understanding that each case or matter is unique, his detailed approach enables him to deliver outstanding results for his clients. Prior to starting his own firm in 2017, Alex was an attorney at a national law firm where his practice concentrated on civil insurance defense and the defense of toxic tort, products liability, construction law, transportation negligence and premises liability claims frequently involving claims of wrongful death and catastrophic injury.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  BN&F is comprised of a diverse blend of skilled attorneys offering contemporary knowledge and understanding of the ever evolving law.  We serve a local, national and international clientele, in various fields, including manufacturing, real estate, service, banking and financial institutions and a variety of professions. Our services include corporate, labor/employment, real estate, banking, estate planning/probate, pension and employee benefits, tax, and litigation.
• Wills
  Steve is an experienced and successful trial attorney with a widely varied civil litigation background in antitrust, consumer fraud, contracts, employment, healthcare, professional negligence, trademark and copyright, and wills and trusts. Having had trials and appeals to the appellate and supreme courts throughout the country, Steve has practiced at all levels of the state and federal court systems. Prior to the COVID-19 shut down, he tried a medical negligence case to a jury and obtained a verdict of over $1 million.
• Trusts
  Since returning to Chicago, William has concentrated his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, and the representation of closely held businesses.
• Power of Attorney
  We facilitate intra-family asset and wealth transfers and draft wills, living and testamentary trusts, powers of attorney for property and health care, irrevocable life insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts and other irrevocable trusts.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Tax Law
  The tax department handles federal and state tax matters for our clients, including planning for both individuals and businesses. We prepare all types of corporate, partnership and fiduciary returns, handle charitable and other not-for-profit organizational matters and tax exemptions, and appear and represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service, Illinois Department of Revenue, and all other taxing agencies and tribunals.