The letter of intent sets the terms that define your entire deal. Our Chicago LOI attorneys draft, review, and negotiate letters of intent for business acquisitions across Finance, Manufacturing, Technology, ensuring you lock in favorable terms and avoid costly surprises before you commit to due diligence.
Our managing partner provides selective letter of intent law counsel to clients in Chicago and nationwide, including:
We engage selectively with capitalized founders and investors in Chicago and nationwide:
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.
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.
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 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.
We bring sophisticated securities law expertise to Chicago's diverse business landscape, serving both established corporations and growth-stage companies.
A structured, methodical approach to letter of intent law
We review the proposed terms or your acquisition goals, identify leverage points, and develop a negotiation strategy that positions you for a successful deal.
We draft a new LOI or mark up the existing one, structuring binding and non-binding provisions to protect your interests while keeping the deal moving forward.
We negotiate key terms including purchase price structure, exclusivity periods, due diligence timelines, and closing conditions directly with the other side's counsel.
Once terms are agreed, we finalize the LOI and ensure both parties understand which provisions are binding, which are aspirational, and what happens next.
We carry the negotiated LOI terms into the due diligence phase and definitive purchase agreement, maintaining consistency and momentum through closing.
"The LOI is where leverage is won or lost. Once you sign a poorly structured letter of intent, you've already conceded negotiating positions you didn't even know you had. The purchase agreement just documents what the LOI already gave away."
Restricted by salary threshold ($75,000+). Mandatory 14-day review period.
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.
Submit your transaction details for a preliminary assessment by our managing partner.
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
Common questions from Chicago clients
Submit your transaction details for a preliminary assessment by our managing partner
Submit Transaction DetailsIn-depth guides to help you prepare for your transaction
Key provisions and structure for an acquisition letter of intent.
Read guideUnderstanding the binding and non-binding elements of each document.
Read guidePractical guidance on structuring term sheets for acquisitions.
Read guideHow exclusivity provisions work and what buyers should negotiate.
Read guideOur managing partner provides selective letter of intent law counsel for transactions nationwide. Submit your transaction details for a preliminary assessment.
Submit transaction details for review. We engage selectively with capitalized buyers and sellers.
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
Selective M&A practice - Nationwide reach - Managing partner on every deal