- Divorce
- Child Support
- Child Custody and Visitation
- Adoption
- Paternity
- Spousal Support
- Corporate LawIn the matter of DuQuoin Comm. Unit School District #300 v. West Bus Service, Inc., the plaintiff alleged that a transportation company client of FMGR's was responsible to indemnify the plaintiff under theories of tort and contract for the plaintiff's costs, fees, expenses and settlement funds related to an alleged improper touching of a female student by a male student, while both were passengers on a school bus. FMGR litigation counsel was successful in gaining the court's dismissal of the lawsuit, with prejudice, in a pre-answer motion. FMGR litigation counsel fully investigated the claims and briefed its threshold opposition to the court, under several legal doctrines. The Perry County trial court dismissed the lawsuit against FMGR's client, without granting plaintiff leave to refile.
- Business Formation
- Business TransactionsOur clients include organizations we have helped start, as well as companies that have been in business for decades. We provide ongoing, occasional, as needed advice to both business and non-profit enterprises on various matters. Unless a client requests, we do not close our file on business entities and find that our institutional memory provides us the opportunity to anticipate an ongoing client's needs, or more quickly and efficiently handle a new project. Counsel at FMGR are regularly involved in business transactions: mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations; stock and asset purchases and sales; intellectual property ownership and licensing; labor and personnel concerns; and almost every conceivable transactional issue on which we may be called for advice. In addition, we frequently represent clients before federal and state tax agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the other federal and state agencies which may effect our client's projects.
- Limited Liability CompaniesIllinois has over 10 separate entities by which businesses can be formed: From corporations and limited liability companies, to farm cooperatives, church corporations, and professional associations. Clients wishing to form a business are counseled by FMGR attorneys as to which entity makes the best fit with respect to liability protection, tax advantage, and the other characteristics that may be unique to individuals and investors who wish to start a business. Our organizational forms are tailored specifically to the client, providing both the flexibility and stability business clients seek. In addition, our transactional department will obtain employer ID numbers, business registration authorizations, authorizations to do business in different states, and all the other forms and filings mandated by the various governmental agencies which must be satisfied. We take the time to explain the why's and how's of the business structure in order that all principals go into a new enterprise with a complete as possible understanding of how the entity will operate.
- Intellectual Property
- Workers CompensationFMGR devotes significant resources to the defense of employers involved in workers' compensation disputes, including major catastrophic claims and occupational disease claims. Our attorneys appear regularly at workers' compensation dockets throughout the southern half of the State of Illinois. We handle cases at the Whittington/Herrin, Mt. Vernon, Belleville, Collinsville, Mattoon, Carlinville and Kankakee workers' compensation dockets. Our attorneys also regularly argue appeals before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and the Illinois Appellate Court. The large volume of workers' compensation cases handled by the firm has resulted in the development of an expertise in the handling of these cases which provides the client with quality representation and economical service. Our attorneys recognize that different clients have different philosophies with respect to claims management. Although we handle a large volume of cases, we advise our clients on a case by case basis how to achieve the desired result for each individual claim. Whether you are an insurance company, a self-insured employer, or a third-party benefits administrator, FMGR will tailor your representation to suit your goals, while regularly communicating with you regarding the progress of your representation.
- Wrongful TerminationLegal challenges confronting today’s businesses can be daunting and, at times, overwhelming. From non-compete agreements to overtime requirements to wrongful discharge claims, the issues confronting employers often require legal knowledge and legal solutions. FMGR provides its clients with legal advice that prevents and resolves problems related to employment matters.
- Employment DiscriminationRelated Keywords: Insurance defense, Insurance litigation, Worker’s compensation, Coal mine defense, Medical malpractice defense, Automobile liability, Premises liability, Employment Law, Age Discrimination, Sex Discrimination, ADA Discrimination, General Corporate Law, Medical Negligence, Insurance Coverage, Declaratory Judgment Litigation, Medical Malpractice Litigation, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Worker's Compensation Defense, Business litigation, Civil Rights defense, Appellate Practice, Civil appeals, Black Lung Employment Litigation, Williamson County, Jackson County, Union County, Saline County, and Perry County.
- Employment Contract
- Employment Litigation
- Non-compete Agreement
- Real Estate Litigation
- Premises Liability
- Construction LitigationToday, FMGR offers a wide array of legal and practical expertise. As this region’s largest local law firm, our clients benefit from "one stop shopping" for many types of legal representation. Those representations include, among others, matters involving traumatic or workplace bodily injury, property damage, medical and professional malpractice, insurance coverage, employment, construction defect, real and personal property, contract negotiation, and corporate guidance.
- Real Estate TransactionsFMGR attorneys practicing in the area of real property bring both legal knowledge and experience, and also great attention to detail. It is our goal to provide our clients with peace of mind in real estate purchases and sales, both commercial and residential. We work with individuals and businesses to provide advice for developments, subdivisions, and other land use and planning activities. Often, we will work with clients to secure zoning and other governmental approvals. We are experienced in developing Illinois land trusts, participating in like kind exchanges and matters as simple as driveway easements, or as complicated as environmental assessment and wetlands exchanges. FMGR attorneys practicing in this area are committed to accuracy and client protection, all the while getting the deal completed.
- Property DamageIndustrial equipment design and manufacture is, similarly, often alleged to be partly or wholly involved in causing workplace or non-workplace injuries. When injuries and property damage occur, FMGR's skilled attorneys are prepared to be your resource when considering whether a product was inherently dangerous when it left the factory or, alternatively, when damages result from errant later actions or use.
- Personal InjuryThe defense of these entities involves a wide range of claims, including personal injury on governmental property, employment disputes, civil rights claims and malpractice actions brought against locally owned hospital and ambulance services.
- Medical MalpracticeAt FMGR, whether your needs concern Insurance Defense, Medical Malpractice Defense, Workers Compensation Defense, Business and Banking Law, Family Law, or general legal questions, we believe in facilitating our clients' knowledge of the law. To better serve you, we offer the following links to legal resources, laws, regulations, codes, and other publicly available information which may interest or better inform you. Please feel free to access these through our website, as a service to you.
- Estate PlanningAn important aspect of our client relationship in estate planning and asset protection is confidentiality. It is our pledge to each client that the nature and extent of his or her assets will be a matter of complete privacy and discretion. The attorneys working on an estate at FMGR will not have casual conversations, even with the client's own friends or relatives unless specifically authorized by the client. This emphasis on privacy keeps FMGR estate planning clients from having to travel to St. Louis or Chicago for estate planning.
- ProbateFor individuals with great or modest wealth, FMGR attorneys seek to provide the comfort of a competent plan which provides maximum tax advantage, asset preservation, in a framework that the client intends and understands. Our attorneys regularly work with clients in order to plan their estates to establish an orderly transfer of assets, including business succession, and to minimize estate taxes. For individuals in certain high risk professions or other enterprises, they seek asset protection. Our attorneys are conversant in the several family limited partnership, Nevada limited liability company, and other legal constructs which permit individuals to shield hard earned assets from outsiders. The client is given personal attention and each plan is devised separately, in accordance with what makes best sense for the client. We also work with the client's accountants or other financial planners in order that the final documents are all coordinated.
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureWhile the prevention of litigation in business and banking matters is a primary focus, FMGR's attorneys are experienced in handling business and commercial litigation before state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels. FMGR's business and commercial law attorneys are experienced in the representation of financial institutions and other business entities as creditors in proceedings before federal bankruptcy courts. Our attorneys are also experienced in foreclosure actions for financial institutions – from initial demand letter to foreclosure sale.
- Tax Law