Business & Corporate Clients

Business and corporate clients of Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C. benefit from the firm's long-standing presence in Springfield and thorough understanding of the practical and legal aspects of Illinois business transactions and litigation.  Our lawyers provide a complete range of services to for-profit and non-profit companies alike, meeting their needs in the areas of real estate, construction, insurance coverage, finance, tax, and employment issues.

Business Transactions

From entity formation to contract negotiation, drafting, and review, our business and corporate lawyers are well-versed in handling transactions in a multitude of specialized areas, including:

• Banking
• ERISA & Employee Benefits
• Employment Law
• Business Taxation

A more complete discussion of the firm's work in this area can be found on our corporate/business law page.

Business Litigation

Our litigators represent parties at the trial and appellate levels in all manner of commercial disputes, including real estate, construction, and employment matters.  Giffin, Winning also has a particular wealth of experience in insurance defense matters.  For more information, see the business litigation page.

Nonprofit Organizations

Illinois law recognizes several different types of nonprofit organizations, with different consequences for tax exempt status and the types of activities in which the company may engage.  Our attorneys counsel clients on the type of organization that will best meet their needs, prepare all necessary documents, including articles of incorporation and bylaws, and facilitate the incorporation process with the Secretary of State.

Our attorneys also assist with application to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax exempt status and intervene on the company's behalf with the IRS as necessary.  If the organization is required to register with the Illinois Attorney General's office as a charitable organization, Giffin, Winning is able to facilitate that process as well.

Our lawyers continue to support the nonprofit with annual filing requirements and obtaining real estate and sales tax exemptions, as well as any other general corporate needs.

Real Estate

Our attorneys skillfully guide and advise clients through every step of the commercial real property transaction, including purchase or sale of real estate, contract preparation, interpretation, and enforcement.  In addition, our clients benefit from the in-house presence of attorneys with experience in title insurance, liens, and lending issues.

Construction Contracts

Giffin, Winning represents owners, lenders, general contractors, and subcontractors in the negotiation of construction contracts.  Furthermore, our attorneys advise architects, engineers, developers, owners, lenders, and suppliers on a number of business matters, including contract bidding, contract performance, mechanic's liens, and bond claims.

Condominiums & Homeowner's Associations

Giffin, Winning provides clients with the full array of services needed for the successful development of condominium projects, from planning through sales and turnover.  These services include creation of various forms of legal ownership, preparation of all required documentation, and the sale and closing of individual units.  Our attorneys have crafted development agreements, construction coordination agreements, declarations and reciprocal easement agreements, Homeowner's Association documents, condominium and master declarations, and financing documentation.

Our firm is experienced in all aspects of representing condominiums, homeowners' associations and housing cooperatives, handling matters such as contract review and negotiation, amendment of covenants and bylaws, assessment collection, and covenant enforcement.

Eminent Domain/Condemnation

Attorneys at Giffin, Winning have extensive experience representing clients threatened by eminent domain or condemnation.  Although these powers allow state and local governments to take private property for public use, the property owner is entitled to fair compensation.  Our attorneys work to make sure the landowner is compensated fairly both for the land that has been taken and for any impacts caused by eminent domain to the remaining land.

Foreclosures

Our experience in handling numerous real estate transactions gives us insight in the area of real estate foreclosures as well.  We assist parties in negotiating loan modifications, workouts, and short sales, and can provide representation in any foreclosure process, including judicial foreclosures, consent foreclosures, and deeds in lieu.

For advice or representation in any corporate transaction or business litigation matter in central Illinois, contact Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C.