I.R.S. Representation
Lavelle Law, Ltd. regularly represents individuals, sole proprietors, corporations, and partnerships before the audit and collection divisions of the I.R.S. We receive many referrals from law firms and accounting firms to act as lead counsel or to assist as co-counsel in complex civil tax matters involving individual, corporate or employment tax issues. Taxpayers rely on Lavelle Law, Ltd. for guidance in the I.R.S. administrative practice, as well as counsel before the United States Tax Court. Taxpayers have also come to rely on our services to negotiate with the I.R.S. to release levies and liens, submit Offers in Compromise and to negotiate the most favorable payment agreement possible with the I.R.S.

Tax Planning
The firm is always available to offer advice to individuals and businesses of all sizes on federal and state tax questions. These questions usually concern the tax consequences of individual and business decisions involving asset acquisitions, reorganizations, mergers, divestitures, and on-going operational transactions. This counsel is the safest way to assure that the taxpayer is paying no more tax than necessary. Our office also acts as a sounding board for your investment ideas and suggests the best structure for your after-tax return.

Illinois Taxation
Tax issues do not end at the federal level. Lavelle Law, Ltd. provides representation to all taxpayers with respect to their needs as they relate to the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. We act as representatives for taxpayers to contest tax liabilities, independent contractor classifications, negotiate payment agreements and resolve a myriad of tax problems.

Counsel for New and Growing Businesses
Lavelle Law, Ltd. helps a start-up business owner select the proper organizational structure for the new venture either by incorporating, drafting partnership agreements or creating limited liability companies. We also provide assistance in coordinating bankers, insurance agents, CPA's and other business advisors to resolve your business problems. We offer advice on loan applications, pricing policies, credit policies, cash-flow analysis and cost control.

Further, Lavelle Law, Ltd. provides business valuation analysis to determine the proper value of going concerns to protect clients from over- paying on the acquisition of a business. We negotiate the terms of the business acquisition, draft the necessary documents, obtain permits and government licenses, and orchestrate the closing to assure that the transaction is properly consummated and documented. As an on-going business service, we regularly negotiate contracts and provide general counsel to all business clients of Lavelle Law, Ltd.

Civil Litigation
The firm has the experience and capability to prosecute or defend a wide variety of civil disputes, from small claims to complex business lawsuits. Recent cases include: breach of contract and related claims under Article 2 and Article 9 of the Illinois Commercial Code; shareholder disputes; partition of real estate; partnership accounting; personal injury; business torts; replevin; copyright infringement; violations of the federal Cable Communications Act; breach of restrictive covenant; violations of the Illinois Trade Secrets Act; and breach of lease agreements and other real estate related litigation. We represent clients involving these and other individual and commercial disputes, in state and federal court, at all stages of litigation.

Real Estate
The firm assists in the purchase, sale, financing, and leasing of commercial and residential property. We negotiate contracts, create land trusts, negotiate and draft commercial and residential leases, represent clients at real estate closings, and coordinate the trust activities for tax free real estate exchanges.

Estate Planning and Probate
Lavelle Law, Ltd. serves as a financial consultant, working with clients and families of clients to increase their net worth, and planning to minimize their estate taxes. With proper counsel, individuals gain tailored estate planning advice to serve both the individual and their families. We prepare wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other documents as circumstances dictate. A total program, including an analysis of net worth, family gifting, trusts, retirement planning, and family business transfers, is available to assist clients in maximizing the tax benefits which are available to them. We also counsel clients through the probate and estate administration process and assist in the preparation of federal and estate tax returns.

Bankruptcy
As an offshoot of our federal tax practice, we quite often are asked to become involved in filing Bankruptcy Petitions on behalf of individuals and businesses. Our financial counseling programs are designed to help clients find solutions to their financial trouble through the development of sound money management principles. When advisable, relief is available under the Bankruptcy Act and may be utilized to enlist the protection of the federal courts. Under the federal Bankruptcy laws, such debtor may discharge many debts and gain a "fresh start" through the utilization of such laws.

Property Tax Appeals
Lavelle Law, Ltd. assists commercial property owners in the appeal process to reduce county property taxes. We work with independent appraisers using the income, market, and the cost approach to valuing the property. We then compile evidence and draft briefs to submit to the County Assessor (or the Board of Review in DuPage County) to contest the client's property tax liability. When necessary, our office represents clients before the Board of Appeals (or the Board of Tax Appeals in DuPage County) to further contest erroneous property tax assessments.

Government Relations
The firm represents clients before boards, commissions, and agencies of federal, state, and local levels of government. We assist clients in obtaining licenses, authority and permission to conduct business within a particular government jurisdiction.

Lavelle Law, Ltd. has litigated cases and negotiated settlement before the Department of Immigration and Naturalization, the United States Department of Labor, the Department of the Treasury, the State of Illinois, and a multitude of branches of the City of Chicago. It is our job to prepare clients for government investigations in connection with potential violations of certain federal, state, or city regulations. We conduct extensive research and exhaustive interviews with witnesses and potential witnesses in cases to obtain fair resolutions to problems in the administrative process.