Brian A. Smith

For businesses and corporations in Chicago navigating complex financial transactions, strategic growth, or intricate tax matters, Brian A. Smith stands out as a highly recommended legal professional within the "Nearby Lawyers" category. Brian A. Smith is a distinguished partner in the Corporate & Securities Group at Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll LLP, with his office located at 200 W Madison St Ste 3000, Chicago, IL 60606, USA. His extensive experience and unique skill set make him a valuable asset to companies seeking comprehensive legal and strategic guidance.

Brian A. Smith's practice is deeply rooted in business and corporate law, with a strong emphasis on transactional matters and tax implications. He is particularly known for his ability to "anticipate, negotiate, and implement strategies involved in all types of capital events." This encompasses a wide range of corporate activities, including:

• Joint Ventures: Structuring and negotiating complex joint ventures, both domestically and internationally, to facilitate strategic alliances and growth.
• Investment Funds: Advising on the formation and structuring of investment funds, as well as representing venture capital funds in their investments.
• Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures (M&A): Guiding clients through the entire lifecycle of buying, selling, and merging businesses, including transactions involving private equity groups.
• Corporate Reorganizations: Assisting companies with restructuring their operations to optimize efficiency, financial performance, and tax implications.
• Emerging Companies: Counseling new and growing businesses on devising structures and platforms that foster future growth, attract additional investment, and realize valuable exit strategies.
• Commercial Transactions: Providing legal and strategic advice on a broad spectrum of commercial agreements and dealings.

His clients frequently praise his ability to act as a "skilled translator," capable of simplifying complex legal, tax, and commercial facts into easy-to-digest business decisions. This unique talent helps clients make informed choices that consider financial, management control, taxation, and personnel variables.

A significant aspect of Brian A. Smith's expertise stems from his diverse professional background. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for Arthur Andersen, which provided him with a robust foundation in financial intricacies and accounting principles. Subsequently, he worked for the Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), where he represented the government's interests before the United States Tax Court. This experience equipped him with an intimate understanding of tax law and IRS procedures, which he now leverages to provide strategic tax advice to his corporate clients. His ability to meld these technical proficiencies with his creativity and extensive legal experience allows him to develop and execute comprehensive plans for his clients' capital events.

Brian A. Smith is highly regarded in the legal community, evidenced by his selection to Super Lawyers for 2024-2025 in the Business & Corporate and Tax: Business practice areas. He was also recognized in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer's "40 Under Forty Illinois Attorneys to Watch" in 2012 and has been cited in multiple years as an "Illinois Leading Lawyer." These accolades reflect his outstanding work ethic, profound legal knowledge, and effective advocacy on behalf of his clients.

Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll LLP, the firm where Brian A. Smith is a partner, is a well-established Chicago-based law firm recognized for its sophisticated legal services. While not a global giant like some firms, Fox Swibel is highly respected for its expertise in specific practice areas, including corporate, real estate, and litigation. The firm's address at 200 W Madison St Ste 3000 places it in a modern, amenity-rich building in Chicago's central business district. This building offers a professional environment with features like a luminous three-story glass atrium lobby, collaborative workspaces, conference facilities, and a range of hospitality-inspired amenities, contributing to an efficient and comfortable setting for legal work and client interactions.

The environment at Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll LLP fosters a collaborative and client-focused approach. The firm is dedicated to providing practical and effective legal solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client. Their attorneys are known for their responsiveness and commitment to achieving favorable outcomes. While specific internal cultural details beyond professional excellence are not extensively publicized, the firm's consistent recognition and the caliber of its attorneys suggest a highly professional and effective working environment.

Promotional information regarding Brian A. Smith often highlights his significant transactional experience. He has represented diverse clients in high-stakes matters, including:

• Leading the sale of a global manufacturer of landfill environmental products and equipment to a Philadelphia-based private equity firm.
• Representing an Oregon-based manufacturer of audio and video equipment in a sale to a large family office.
• Regularly representing a Midwest-based venture capital fund in its convertible-debt and preferred equity investments in technology companies.
• Structuring a joint venture among major distributors of institutional kitchen equipment to create a national purchasing consortium.
• Representing companies in the sale of multi-state airport food concessionaires and minority interests in national fast-casual restaurant franchises to investment groups.
• Advising a U.S. real estate developer on a $500 million joint venture with a private equity company.
• Assisting an institutional client in structuring and forming a fund to invest $1 billion in U.S. commercial real estate.

These examples demonstrate his capacity to handle substantial and complex corporate transactions across various industries. His consistent presence on "Super Lawyers" and "Leading Lawyers" lists further promotes his reputation and expertise.

For local users in Chicago, Brian A. Smith at Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll LLP offers an exceptional resource for business and corporate legal needs. His distinctive blend of a technical tax background, CPA experience, former IRS counsel role, and extensive transactional legal expertise provides clients with comprehensive and insightful advice. Whether it's structuring a complex joint venture, navigating a merger or acquisition, or planning for future growth and exit strategies, Brian A. Smith’s pragmatic and creative approach helps businesses achieve their objectives while effectively managing legal and tax implications. To connect with Brian A. Smith and explore how his expertise can benefit your business, you can reach him at (312) 224-1200 or +1 312-224-1200, finding a highly experienced "Nearby Lawyer" at the forefront of business and corporate law in Chicago.