LOI Attorney • Oak Brook, Illinois

LOI Attorney in Oak Brook

The letter of intent sets the terms that define your entire deal. Our Oak Brook LOI attorneys draft, review, and negotiate letters of intent for business acquisitions across Corporate Headquarters, Finance, Professional Services, ensuring you lock in favorable terms and avoid costly surprises before you commit to due diligence.

Selective M&A Practice
Personal Attention
Managing Partner on Every Deal

What We Do

Alex Lubyansky handles letter of intent law work for buyers and sellers in Oak Brook and across the country. Here is what that looks like:

  • Letter of intent drafting for buyers and sellers
  • LOI review and risk analysis for proposed acquisitions
  • Binding vs. non-binding provision structuring
  • Exclusivity and no-shop clause negotiation
  • Purchase price and deal structure term negotiation
  • Due diligence scope and timeline provisions
  • Confidentiality and non-disclosure protections
  • Transition from LOI to definitive purchase agreement

Who We Serve

We work best with people who know what they want and are ready to move:

  • Business buyers who received a seller's LOI and need it reviewed
  • Buyers drafting an LOI to present to a target company
  • Search fund entrepreneurs submitting offers on businesses
  • Business brokers whose clients need legal review of LOI terms
  • Private equity firms standardizing LOI terms across multiple deals
  • Business owners who received an unsolicited offer to buy their company

M&A Market: Oak Brook & 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 Oak Brook

  • 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.

Our Process

A structured, methodical approach to letter of intent law

1

LOI Review & Strategy

We review the proposed terms or your acquisition goals, identify leverage points, and develop a negotiation strategy that positions you for a successful deal.

2

Drafting or Markup

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.

3

Negotiation

We negotiate key terms including purchase price structure, exclusivity periods, due diligence timelines, and closing conditions directly with the other side's counsel.

4

Execution

Once terms are agreed, we finalize the LOI and ensure both parties understand which provisions are binding, which are aspirational, and what happens next.

5

Transition to Definitive Agreement

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."

Alex Lubyansky, Managing Partner On the strategic importance of LOI negotiation

Alex Lubyansky | Managing Partner

15+ years of M&A and securities transaction experience Leads every client engagement personally Nationwide practice from Novi, Michigan M&A, securities, and corporate counsel under one roof

Tell Us About Your Deal in Oak Brook

Share the basics and Alex will let you know if there is a fit.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from Oak Brook clients

Why do I need an attorney for a letter of intent?
The LOI establishes the framework for your entire transaction. Terms you agree to in the LOI, such as purchase price structure, exclusivity, and closing conditions, become the baseline for definitive agreement negotiations. Having an experienced LOI attorney ensures you do not inadvertently lock yourself into unfavorable terms before the real negotiation begins.
Is a letter of intent legally binding?
Most LOIs contain a mix of binding and non-binding provisions. Typically, provisions like exclusivity, confidentiality, and governing law are binding, while purchase price and closing conditions are non-binding. Acquisition Stars carefully structures every LOI to make this distinction clear so you know exactly what you are committing to.
What should be included in a letter of intent for buying a business?
A well-drafted LOI should address purchase price and payment structure, deal type (asset vs. stock), key assumptions, due diligence scope and timeline, exclusivity period, closing conditions, confidentiality obligations, and which provisions are binding. Missing any of these can create problems downstream.
How quickly can Acquisition Stars turn around an LOI?
In most cases, we can draft or review an LOI within 24 to 48 hours. Managing Partner Alex Lubyansky understands that deal timing is critical and that delays at the LOI stage can cost you the opportunity. We are built to move at the speed your deal demands.
Can I negotiate the terms of an LOI I already signed?
If the purchase price and deal structure terms in your LOI are non-binding, those terms remain negotiable through the definitive agreement stage. However, binding provisions like exclusivity are enforceable. This is exactly why having an attorney review the LOI before you sign is so valuable.
What can I expect during an initial consultation in Oak Brook?
During your confidential initial consultation in Oak Brook, we'll discuss your letter of intent 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 Oak Brook?
Yes, we represent clients nationwide while maintaining a strong presence in Oak Brook. Our managing partner handles letter of intent 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

Illinois Legal Considerations for Letter of Intent 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

What Happens After You Submit

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.

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.

Ready to Talk About Your Oak Brook Deal?

Alex Lubyansky handles every engagement personally. Tell us about your transaction and we will let you know if there is a fit.

Request Engagement Assessment

Submit transaction details for review. We engage selectively with capitalized buyers and sellers.

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared. Privacy Policy

One attorney on every deal. Nationwide. 15+ years of M&A experience.