You built your business. We protect what you have built when it is time to sell. Our Barrington business exit attorneys represent owners selling companies across Professional Services, Finance, Healthcare, providing strategic sell-side counsel that maximizes your value, protects your interests, and gets the deal across the finish line.
Share the basics. Alex reviews every inquiry personally.
Submission Received
Your transaction details are under review. If there is alignment, we will be in touch.
Meanwhile, feel free to call us directly at (248) 266-2790
What We Do
Alex Lubyansky handles business exit & sell-side law work for buyers and sellers in Barrington and across the country. Here is what that looks like:
Sell-side legal representation for business owners
Exit readiness assessment and pre-sale preparation
Buyer vetting and offer evaluation
Purchase agreement negotiation on behalf of sellers
Representations and warranties management to minimize post-closing liability
Escrow and indemnification cap structuring
Non-compete and transition services agreement negotiation
Post-closing obligation management and earnout dispute support
Who We Serve
We work best with people who know what they want and are ready to move:
Business owners planning to sell within the next 6 to 24 months
Founders who received an offer and need legal counsel immediately
Family-owned businesses planning generational transitions through sale
Business owners approached by private equity firms or strategic buyers
Partners managing a business dissolution through sale of assets
Entrepreneurs ready to exit and move on to their next venture
See If Your Deal Is a Fit
Tell us what you are working on. We respond within one business day.
Submission Received
Your transaction details are under review. If there is alignment, we will be in touch.
Meanwhile, feel free to call us directly at (248) 266-2790
Our Process
A structured, methodical approach to business exit & sell-side law
1
Exit Readiness Review
We assess your corporate records, contracts, and legal standing to identify issues that could reduce your sale price or delay closing, and help you fix them before going to market.
2
Deal Strategy
We work with you and your advisors to define your priorities, whether that is maximizing cash at close, minimizing post-closing risk, retaining key terms, or achieving a clean break.
3
Offer Evaluation & LOI Negotiation
We analyze incoming offers and negotiate letter of intent terms that set you up for a successful transaction, including purchase price structure, exclusivity, and closing conditions.
4
Purchase Agreement Negotiation
Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky personally negotiates the definitive purchase agreement, fighting for seller-favorable terms on reps and warranties, indemnification, escrow, and closing mechanics.
5
Closing & Transition
We manage the closing process, coordinate with all parties, and handle transition services agreements and non-compete terms so you can exit on your terms.
We don't take every matter. Here is what happens when you reach out.
1
Personal Review (Within 24 Hours)
Alex reviews your transaction details personally. No intake coordinators, no junior associates screening your submission.
2
Fit Assessment
We evaluate whether your deal aligns with our practice. Not every matter is a fit, and we will tell you directly if it is not.
3
Initial Conversation
If there is alignment, Alex schedules a direct call to discuss your transaction, timeline, and objectives.
4
Clear Engagement Terms
Before any work begins, you receive a written engagement letter with defined scope, timeline, and fee structure. No surprises.
Request Your Barrington Engagement Assessment
Alex Lubyansky handles every business exit & sell-side law engagement personally.
15+ years of M&A experience. Nationwide. One attorney on every deal.
Request Engagement Assessment
We review every transaction inquiry within one business day.
Submission Received
Your transaction details are under review. If there is alignment, we will be in touch.
Meanwhile, feel free to call us directly at (248) 266-2790
Questions to Ask Any M&A Attorney Before Hiring
Use these before you call any firm, including ours.
1. "Who will actually handle my transaction?"
At many firms, a partner sells the work and a junior associate does it. Ask for the name of the attorney who will draft and negotiate your documents.
2. "How many M&A transactions has the lead attorney closed in the past 12 months?"
Volume indicates current, active deal experience, not just credentials from years ago.
3. "What is your experience with my deal size and industry?"
A $500K SBA acquisition and a $50M PE deal require different skill sets. Make sure the attorney has handled transactions similar to yours.
4. "Will you coordinate with my CPA, financial advisor, and broker?"
M&A transactions require a team. Your attorney should work with your other advisors, not in a silo.
5. "How do you handle post-closing disputes?"
Reps, warranties, and indemnification claims surface months after closing. Ask whether the firm handles post-closing litigation or refers it out.
6. "What is your fee structure, and what drives cost?"
Hourly, flat fee, or hybrid. Ask what factors increase legal costs so there are no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Barrington clients
When should I hire a lawyer to help sell my business?
Ideally, engage a business exit attorney 6 to 12 months before you plan to go to market. This gives us time to clean up corporate records, resolve potential deal-killers, and structure the company for maximum sale value. If you have already received an offer, contact us immediately so we can protect your interests from the start.
What does a business exit attorney do?
A business exit attorney represents you through every stage of selling your company, from pre-sale preparation through closing. This includes evaluating offers, negotiating the letter of intent and purchase agreement, managing due diligence requests, structuring protections against post-closing claims, and coordinating the closing itself.
How do I minimize my liability after selling my business?
Post-closing liability is one of the biggest concerns for sellers. Acquisition Stars negotiates tight limitations on your representations and warranties, caps on indemnification exposure, short survival periods, and basket and deductible structures that protect you from buyer claims after the sale closes.
How long does it take to sell a business?
From the time you accept a letter of intent, most deals close within 60 to 120 days. The full process, including pre-sale preparation and marketing, can take 6 to 12 months. Acquisition Stars keeps deals on schedule by responding quickly, anticipating issues, and pushing the process forward without unnecessary delays.
Why choose Acquisition Stars to represent me as a seller?
Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky personally handles every sell-side engagement, bringing 15+ years of exclusive M&A experience to your transaction. You are not handed off to a junior associate. You get experienced counsel with the personal attention and responsiveness that a deal of this importance deserves.
How do Illinois non-compete laws affect business exit & sell-side law transactions?
Restricted by the Illinois Freedom to Work Act (effective January 1, 2022). Non-compete agreements are prohibited for employees earning $75,000 or less annually (threshold increases by $5,000 every five years). Non-solicitation agreements are prohibited for employees earning $45,000 or less. Employers must advise employees to consult an attorney before signing, with a 14-day review period. The sale-of-business exception is preserved.
What are the Illinois tax considerations for a business exit?
Illinois imposes a flat 7% corporate income tax (including the 2.5% Personal Property Tax Replacement Income Tax). The state uses single-factor sales apportionment. Illinois does not allow combined reporting, which can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on the target's entity structure. The state conforms to most federal treatment of acquisitions.
Does Illinois have a bulk sales law that affects business acquisitions?
Illinois has repealed UCC Article 6 (Bulk Sales). However, the Illinois Department of Revenue can impose successor liability on asset purchasers for the seller's unpaid sales, use, and withholding taxes under 35 ILCS 120/5j. Buyers must obtain a tax clearance letter (Form ST-4) before closing.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Barrington?
During your confidential initial consultation in Barrington, we'll discuss your business exit & sell-side law needs, review your current situation, assess potential challenges specific to Illinois, and outline a clear path forward. We'll explain our process, answer your questions, and determine if we're the right fit for your needs.
Do you work with companies outside of Barrington?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Barrington. Our managing partner handles business exit & sell-side law matters across all 50 states, coordinating with local counsel where state-specific requirements apply.
Need Specific Guidance?
Submit your transaction details for a preliminary assessment by our managing partner
Submit transaction details and Alex will respond directly.
Submission Received
Your transaction details are under review. If there is alignment, we will be in touch.
Meanwhile, feel free to call us directly at (248) 266-2790
M&A Market: Barrington & the Chicago Metro
Chicago is the Midwest's M&A powerhouse, with deep deal activity in manufacturing, food & beverage, financial services, and healthcare. The city's central location and transportation infrastructure make it a hub for logistics and distribution company acquisitions. Chicago's robust private equity community - including firms like GTCR, Madison Dearborn, and Duchossois Capital - drives significant lower middle-market deal flow.
Top M&A Sectors Near Barrington
Manufacturing
Food & Beverage
Financial Services
Healthcare
Logistics & Distribution
Deal Environment
Chicago offers a balanced deal market with strong fundamentals - valuations are more reasonable than coastal markets while target quality remains high. The region's manufacturing base creates consistent opportunities for PE-backed platform builds.
Why Acquire in the Chicago Area
The Chicago metro area's diversified economy and central location make it ideal for platform acquisitions with national expansion potential. The region's deep talent pool in engineering, finance, and operations supports post-acquisition growth.
Illinois Legal Considerations
Illinois enacted strict non-compete reform in 2022 - agreements are unenforceable for employees earning under $75,000 (increasing annually), and employers must advise employees to consult counsel before signing, affecting how buyers retain key personnel post-acquisition.
Local Market Context
Barrington M&A Market
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI MSA · MSA population 9.6M
MSA Population (2024)
9.6M
U.S. Census Bureau
Top Industry Concentration
1 financial services and trading
2 food and agribusiness
3 logistics and transportation
Chicago is the dominant Midwest M&A hub, with particular strength in financial services (CME Group, options and derivatives markets), food and agribusiness, logistics, and industrial manufacturing. The city's position as the primary Midwest rail and logistics hub gives it outsized importance in supply chain and distribution company transactions. Mid-market buyout activity by Chicago-headquartered private equity firms is a consistent feature of the deal landscape.
Major Barrington Employers and Deal Anchors
CME Group
Boeing
United Airlines
Caterpillar
Walgreens Boots Alliance
Advocate Health
Transit and Logistics
O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest in the world. Chicago is the largest US rail freight hub. Union Pacific, BNSF, and CSX all converge here, making logistics transactions particularly active.
Recent Barrington Deal Signal (2024-2025)
Boeing's ongoing restructuring and supply chain rationalization generated significant aerospace supplier M&A interest in the broader Chicago metro in 2024, while Chicago-based PE firms continued active mid-market healthcare and industrial deals.
Local Regulatory Notes for Business Exit & Sell-Side Law
Illinois has a Business Corporation Act with specific merger notification requirements. Chicago imposes a transaction tax on certain securities trades executed through Chicago exchanges.
Illinois Legal Considerations for Business Exit & Sell-Side Law
Non-Compete Laws
Restricted by salary threshold ($75,000+). Mandatory 14-day review period.
Filing Requirements
Entity mergers and conversions are filed with the Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services Department. Bulk asset purchases require notification to the Department of Revenue and obtaining Form ST-4 clearance. The Illinois Securities Department may need to be notified for certain stock transactions.
Key Illinois Considerations
Illinois's Freedom to Work Act imposes detailed procedural requirements (14-day review period, written advisement to consult counsel) that must be evaluated when assessing a target company's non-compete portfolio
Chicago imposes its own transaction taxes and licensing requirements that can affect M&A deal costs for businesses operating in the city
Illinois does not allow combined unitary reporting, which means buyers need to evaluate each entity in a target group separately for state tax purposes
Illinois Bar Authority
Illinois State Bar Association. Voluntary bar. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission handles mandatory registration separately.
Federal districts: N.D. Ill., C.D. Ill., S.D. Ill.
Business court: Circuit Court of Cook County Commercial Calendar (established 1993) Chicago-based commercial calendar handles complex business disputes in Cook County. Illinois Freedom to Work Act (820 ILCS 90) governs non-compete and non-solicitation agreements.
Illinois M&A Market Context
Chicago is a top-five U.S. M&A market, with particular strength in financial services, food and consumer products, and industrial manufacturing transactions.
Watchpoints
Common Barrington Business Exit & Sell-Side Law Pitfalls
These are the items we see derail business exit & sell-side law transactions in the Barrington market. Each one is rooted in current statutory law, recent legislative changes, or recurring patterns from the deals Alex has handled.
1
Illinois non-compete enforcement and earn-out exposure
State legal framework
Restricted by salary threshold ($75,000+). Mandatory 14-day review period.
"The longer a deal drags, the worse it gets. Deal fatigue is real. Even when both parties agreed to something early on, if dates slip and deadlines slip, human nature takes over. At some point one side goes back to the internal drawing board and decides they don't want to be part of it anymore. I usually find this to be symptomatic of a poor process on the front end. Not malice. Not negative intent. Not someone running up fees. Just poor alignment, poor qualification, poor structuring at the start of the engagement. Once that's the foundation, every missed date compounds. The fix isn't more negotiation in the middle. The fix is doing better qualification before the deal team is even hired."
2
Barrington local regulatory exposure
Local regulatory
Illinois has a Business Corporation Act with specific merger notification requirements. Chicago imposes a transaction tax on certain securities trades executed through Chicago exchanges.
3
Illinois regulatory framework attorneys flag at LOI
State statute
Securities regulated by Illinois Securities Department within the Office of the Secretary of State (ilsos.gov/securities). Illinois has a robust Blue Sky framework; Reg D notice filings required. Illinois is an active state enforcement jurisdiction.
Guides and Resources
In-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction
