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 U.S.-based transportation company in a joint venture with robotics solution company to develop driver assistance and self-driving technology for commuter buses.
- Represented a Chicago-based digital agency focusing on the pharmaceutical space in an auction sale process resulting in its sale to a multi-national commercialization partner, including involvement in all phases of the auction process, including diligence, negotiation of definitive documentation and structuring of consideration.
- Represented private equity fund in the acquisition of a maritime transportation company operating on the inland waterways in an auction purchase transaction, including all facets of diligence, tax and corporate structuring, negotiation of definitive documentation and completion of closing.
- Represented a maritime transportation company in connection with negotiation and closing of a secured credit facility provided by three participatory national banks, including negotiation of all credit documents, facilitating collateral security on a diverse collateral base including maritime assets, coordinating opinions and ultimate closing.
- 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
- Gould & Ratner Selects Managing Partners, February 10, 2023
- Gould & Ratner Represented JJD Management in the Acquisition of Metaltec, October 20, 2022
- Gould & Ratner Represented Gillig LLC in a Joint Venture with RR.AI, January 27, 2022
- Gould & Ratner Represented CC Industries in the Acquisition of Central Indiana Ethanol, December 22, 2021
- Gould & Ratner Represented Selig Group in the Acquisition of Manufacture Générale de Joints, December 7, 2021
- Gould & Ratner Recently Closed the Sale of closerlook to Fishawack Health, June 9, 2021
- Current Trends in Middle-Market Mergers and Acquisitions, March 8, 2021
- Local Attorneys Travel With Business Folks to Israel to Find "the Next Google", Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, July 25, 2012
Publications
- Dispute Resolution Issues in Connection With Price Adjustments , GR Review , June 2010
- Working Capital Adjustments in M&A Transactions: Navigating a Minefield , GR Review , September 2009
- Hedging Your Bets With Swaps , GR Taking Stock , June 2005
- Negotiating the Software License: Eight Tips for the Licensee , The Practical Lawyer , May 1999