Bruce H. Balonick

Partner

Bruce H. Balonick, a Chicago based partner with Arnstein & Lehr LLP, is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and chairs the firm’s Corporate Transactions Group. He practices in the corporate, real estate and estate planning areas. Mr. Balonick has substantial experience representing a broad range of both privately and publicly held businesses engaged in industries such as financial services, health care, manufacturing, retail and computer technology. He represents these clients on a nationwide basis in structuring, negotiating and documenting asset and stock acquisitions and sales, mergers, joint ventures and other business transactions. Mr. Balonick counsels clients in connection with their organization, governance, and day-to-day operations. He provides assistance to closely-held businesses with issues relating to ownership succession, including the structuring and implementation of buy-sell agreements and other vehicles relating to the transferability of business interests. In addition, his practice includes estate planning, trust and probate administration, and the tax issues relating to these practice areas.

Professional Activities and Achievements

Mr. Balonick serves as outside general counsel to numerous mid-size and small companies. He is a member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council,  the American Bar Association, ABA’s Business Law Section, and the Chicago Bar Association.

Mr. Balonick is regularly named an Illinois Super Lawyer by Law & Politics Magazine and  is recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer. Both honors are nominated and voted on by the attorney peers in the Illinois legal community.

Recent Publications and Lectures

He has spoken at seminars sponsored by banks, publishers, and trade associations. These seminars have covered a broad range of issues, including tax and estate planning, money laundering compliance, state taxes, retirement and succession planning, shareholder buy sell agreements, business formation, choice of entity considerations, and general issues relating to mergers and acquistions. He has also authored articles dealing with corporate governance and family succession.

Education

DePaul University (J.D. with honors, 1974)
University of Denver, (B.S.B.A., 1970)

Bar Admissions

State of Illinois; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois