I am one of the shareholders of Lavelle Law, Ltd. and am an experienced business attorney practicing in the following areas:

1. Corporate / M&A: I counsel business organizations in all stages of their life cycle, from start-up issues, contract negotiation and documentation, assets and equity sales/purchases, and mergers and joint ventures.

2. Banking: I represent banks and borrowers in commercial lending and workout matters, including negotiating and documenting a variety of loans and forbearance agreements, as well as handling foreclosures and other collection actions.

3. Real Property: I represent sellers, buyers, landlords, and tenants with acquisitions, dispositions and leasing of real estate, as well as with related municipal zoning matters.

4. Estate Planning: I assist business owners with their succession planning and exit strategy, as well as their estate plans, probate, and trust administration.

Education

  • J.D., magna cum laude, University of Illinois College of Law 
  • B.S., summa cum laude, Bradley University, Finance

    Bar Certifications

    • Admitted to the Bar of the Illinois Supreme Court
    • Admitted to U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

      Bar Association Memberships

       

      • Illinois State Bar Association
      • Chicago Bar Association, Former Chair of the Corporation and Business Law Committee

       

      Awards and Recognition

      • 2016 Businessperson of the Year, Streamwood Chamber of Commerce

        Publications

        • Featured contributor to the Crain’s Chicago Business Roundtable, M&A Trends, August 17, 2020
        • Author of “Banking and Business Monthly,” a series of articles that examine current banking and business topics. (If you would like to receive the e-newsletter, please email me at smigala@lavellelaw.com) 
        • I.R.C. § 6050I & The Attorney-Client Privilege: The Misplaced Emphasis on Incrimination Over Confidentiality, 1996 U. ILL. L. REV. 509 (1996), reprinted in THE MONTHLY DIGEST OF TAX ARTICLES (Sept. 1996) at 28, and cited in 152 A.L.R. FED. 459 (1999).

        Media

        Exit Planning for Business Owners, 2014 Good Morning Schaumburg Presentation, Schaumburg Business Association

        Mr. Migala is a contributor to our podcast series “Chicago’s Legal Latte” which can be found on BlogTalk Radio  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lavellelaw

        Expert Witness

        Steve served as an expert witness on a Cook County Illinois case involving fraud, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims, assisting his client in obtaining a successful jury verdict awarding significant punitive damages.

        Community Involvement

        Mr. Migala serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission in the City of Elgin and serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. Steve previously served as a Commissioner on the Village of Streamwood's Planning and Zoning Board. He is a former President of the Chicago Area Bradley Alumni Chapter.

        Read My Posts

        Lavelle Law News and Events

        Does the Expiration of the Statute of Limitations for a Mortgage Extinguish the Mortgage Lien?

        Banking and Business – September 2025

        By Steven A. Migala • September 4, 2025
        On August 20, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court decided Chicago Title Land Trust Co. v. Watkin, 2025 IL App (1st) 241354 (August 20, 2025). At issue in Watkin was whether the expiration of the statute of limitations barring enforcement of a mortgage also extinguishes the mortgage lien.
        A summary of The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and its tax implications.

        Summary of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Its Tax Implications

        By Steven A. Migala • July 22, 2025
        The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, 2025, as Pub. L. No. 119-21, permanently extends and modifies key provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while introducing new tax benefits and limitations. The law affects individuals, seniors, children, businesses, and charitable organizations.
        An in-depth discussion of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its tax implications.

        The Impact of New Tax Bill - The One Big Beautiful Bill Act - a videocast

        By Steven A. Migala and guest Ed Brooks • July 21, 2025
        Lavelle Law Shareholder Steven Migala and DHJJ Financial Principal Ed Brooks join host Jim Mitchell for an in-depth look at the new U.S. tax legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and discuss how it will impact both businesses and individuals.
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