Chester Lizak Recognized as One of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the State of Illinois by the American Trial Lawyers Association

The American Trial Lawyers Association is a professional organization of America's Top Trial Lawyers. In the past few years, Chet has received numerous other awards including an Award of Merit from the Advocates Society of Polish American Lawyers, the Distinguished Service Award from DePaul College of Law, and in 2006 he was recognized by Chicago magazine as one of the Top Illinois Super Lawyers.

Julia Jensen Smolka Chairs ISBA Commercial Banking, Collections and Bankruptcy Section

Julia Jensen Smolka is currently serving as the chair of the Commercial Banking, Collections and Bankruptcy Section Counsel of the Illinois State Bar Association. The Section is comprised of Illinois lawyers from all over the state who meet to discuss trends in commercial litigation, banking law, collections and bankruptcy. It offers opinions on legislation that is pending in the Illinois General Assembly, and in some cases, drafts its own legislation for presentation to elected officials.

As chair of the section, Ms. Smolka also oversees the planning of continuing legal education for Illinois Lawyers and publication of the section newsletter which has a circulation of over 1500 attorneys. Julia was appointed to this section seven years ago in recognition as a leading lawyer in these areas of law. "It is so exciting to serve on such a distinguished panel with lawyers and judge's from all over the state." She says. "Having direct input on the laws that are introduced in the state legislature, and being able to draft laws which directly affect our clients, is very rewarding." Julia will wrap up her service as chair in June, 2011 at the Illinois State Bar Association's annual meeting.

Laubenstein Leads Class on Handling Real Estate Sales in Troubled Market

Attorney Richard W. Laubenstein recently was engaged by one of Chicago's premiere real estate companies to offer classes to their agents and brokers throughout the Chicagoland area on how to handle residential real estate sales in today's troubled market. With housing prices stagnant, many sellers are finding themselves in a position where they owe more money on the home than the proceeds the sale generates. At Di Monte & Lizak, LLC, we have the experience needed to counsel buyers, sellers and realtors through the these tough times.

Cautions in Selling a Business

"Cautions in Selling a Business" was published in the March, 2006 Illinois Bar Journal (click here for link to article).

Administrative Dissolution: Tearing a Hole in the Corporate Veil

"Administrative Dissolution: Tearing a Hole in the Corporate Veil" was published in the June, 2005 Illinois Bar Journal (click here for link to article).

Protecting Minority Owners

"Protecting Minority Owners" is the subject of Lin Hanson's recent column in the Illinois Bar Journal, published in March, 2005 (click here for link to article). Lin also lectured on the same subject at the College of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, on March 15th.

In situations of oppression and overreaching by majority owners, Illinois statutes give minority owners the "right" to be bought out for "fair value." The courts have interpreted the term "fair value" to permit discounts from full value based on the minority owners lack of control, and the lack of a market for a minority interest. Lin will be discussing ways of protecting minority owners through advance planning and careful drafting of contract provisions, in both his column and his lecture.

Series LLCs

Lin Hanson's article "Series LLCs" appeared in the December, 2004 Illinois Bar Journal, the official publication of the Illinois State Bar Association.



Advocates Society Honors Lizak
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Julia Jensen on TV
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Lin Hanson Lectures on Practice Skills
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Alan Stefaniak Lectures on Land Use
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Julia Jensen Lectures to Ark Entrepreneurs Group
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Lin Hanson Lectures on LLCs
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Lin Hanson Lectures on Board Governance Issues
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Margherita Albarello Interviewed by CNN Financial
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Lin Hanson Speaks to ISBA Business Planners
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