About Us

Our Firm Our Clients Community + Pro Bono Opportunities for Women Diversity

Contact Information

222 North LaSalle Street

Suite 300

Chicago, lllinois 60601

(312) 236-3003 O

(312) 236-3241 F

info@gouldratner.com

Driving Directions

For driving directions, click on the Google Map.

A parking garage is located at 203 North LaSalle, directly across from Gould & Ratner's offices. Entrance to this self-park garage is on LaSalle Street or Clark Street (one block to the east).

Parking is also available across the Chicago River on LaSalle Street.

Public Transportation

CTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates subways, elevated trains and buses throughout the city. Route maps, schedules and other information is available at: www.transitchicago.com.

The CTA Blue, Brown, Green, Orange and Purple Lines can be accessed at the Thompson Center, Lake Street entrance, one half block east of LaSalle Street. The Thompson Center is one block from Gould & Ratner.

The CTA Red Line can be accessed at Lake and State Streets, four blocks from Gould & Ratner.

Metra

Metra: Schedules and other information is available on the Metra website: www.metrarail.com

Ogilvie Transportation Center – 500 W. Madison Street (Madison & Canal)

Union Station – 210 S. Canal Street (between Adams & Jackson)

LaSalle Street Station – 414 S. LaSalle Street (LaSalle & Van Buren)

Millennium Station – 151 N. Michigan Avenue (access from Randolph or South Water)

Building Security

When visiting Gould & Ratner, please be sure to bring your photo identification. Security check-in is located in the lobby at the LaSalle Street entrance. You may enter the building on Wells Street and then proceed to the security check-in desk.

Brian B. Gilbert

Managing Partner

Chair, Corporate Practice

Representing privately held and family-run entrepreneurial businesses, as well as lenders and other sources of debt and equity capital, Brian Gilbert has extensive experience in a variety of sophisticated corporate transactions, including:

sizable acquisitions and divestitures
mergers and reorganizations
recapitalizations
secured and unsecured lending transactions
generational transfers and planning for family businesses
formation of partnerships, joint ventures and other entities

In addition, his experience encompasses related issues in connection with the operation, dispute resolution and split-up of such entities, as well as intellectual property licensing and agreements regarding sales, distribution, manufacturing, leasing and other business operations.

Brian’s clients and experience span a variety of industries, including:

telecommunications
high-tech manufacturing
digital marketing and strategy
transportation
automotive sales and distribution
mines and minerals
banking and financial services
consulting and professional services
software

Brian has been named an Illinois Leading Lawyer since 2011 in the areas of Closely & Privately Held Business, Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities & Venture Finance.

Credentials

Education

Duke University School of Law, J.D., Merit Scholar , 1987
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S., With High Honors in Accountancy , 1984

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Key Cases or Transactions

Represented a Chicago-based digital healthcare agency in its sale to a global commercialization partner for the life sciences industry.
Represented purchaser of Newport News and Spiegel catalog businesses from Spiegel, Inc. in an acquisition under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Represented private venture fund in the acquisition of stock of a high tech manufacturing business, including negotiation of employment agreements, option plans and other incentive arrangements for retained executive management.
Represented biotech company in negotiations with venture capital firms resulting in the issuance of $1.5 million of preferred stock and $1 million of senior subordinated debentures and warrants.
Represented shareholders of direct marketing agency in sale of stock to publicly traded advertising conglomerate, including continuing employment agreements for selling shareholders.
Represented owner of nationally recognized retail specialty stores in issuance of a newly created series of preferred stock to venture capital investors for $2 million.
Represented family-owned real estate partnership in negotiation of development venture in Austin, Texas, with large nationally recognized real estate firm.
Represented video production company in sale of business for $16.5 million plus warrants to purchase common stock of buyer.
Represented local bank in documentation for and negotiation of secured guaranteed loan to printing business.
Represented foreign publicly traded communications equipment manufacturer in several U.S.-based acquisitions.
Represented purchaser of cellular telephone system in Florida for $172.5 million, including the $345 million loan package for new acquisition financing and refinancing of existing indebtedeness.
Represented cellular telephone company in negotiation of $5 million equipment acquisition and related secured financing.
Represented privately held cellular telephone company in sale of assets for $130 million to publicly traded wireless company.

News

Publications