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Fredric D. Tannenbaum

Partner
Tel: 312.899.1613
Fax: 312.236.3241
Email: ftannenbaum@gouldratner.com
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Fred Tannenbaum is recognized by the Illinois Venture Capital Association as a leading expert on private equity and venture capital, by a national bar association organization as a leading authority on mergers and acquisitions, and by the leading business publication, Crain's Chicago Business, as a top expert on family-owned businesses.  Fred has once again been selected as an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2009.  Fred also serves on the Firm's Management Committee. 

Fred has represented over 250 middle market businesses, private equity or venture capital funds, sophisticated entrepreneurs, wealthy family businesses, and senior key executives in over 300 mergers/acquisitions/divestiture/strategic alliance transactions and over 200 venture capital transactions over 20 years.  He also serves as de facto general counsel for over 50 small and medium sized businesses throughout the U.S.

He has a wide range of experience throughout the world in advising middle market businesses, sophisticated entrepreneurs, private equity funds, and wealthy family businesses form businesses, raise capital (both private equity capital and debt), grow (through acquisitions, mergers, strategic alliances, joint ventures, and licensing), operate (buy-sell agreements, employment and other agreements), attract management (employee incentive plans and executive compensation) and transfer operations (sales, redemptions, new management, partnerships, new generation transfers).  His clients thrive in 60 or so industries throughout the world including many diversified manufacturing and distribution companies, as well as telecommunications and technology.  Fred combines his legal skills with common sense and practical business judgment and insights. 

Fred has written extensively on business and legal topics, writing one book, five law review articles and over fifty articles on topics of practical importance to investors, entrepreneurs and family businesses.  He frequently speaks worldwide on these topics.  Fred is also the Past President of LawExchange International, a network, together with Law Firm of the Americas, of 30 law firms in Europe, Australia, China, India, and South and North America. 

Fred is also a leader in many charitable and not-for-profit organizations.

Recent Representative Matters

Although we strive to build long-term relationships, here are examples of some recent transactions which Fred led: 

General:

Telecommunications:

Media / Entertainment:

Technology:

General Counsel:

Fred acts as day-to-day de facto general counsel for over 50 companies across the U.S. ranging in size from start-up to $500 million in revenues and in industries including manufacturing, distribution, service, minor league baseball, telecom, and technology. 

Professional and Civic Affiliations

Books

Articles

Over 55 business and legal articles including:

News