Brian Gilbert's practice is concentrated in the representation of business owners, lenders, and venture capitalists in a variety of sophisticated corporate transactions including acquisitions and divestitures, mergers and reorganizations, recapitalizations, including debt and equity raises, secured lending transactions, intellectual property licensing, and equipment leasing. Brian has represented clients in a variety of industries including telecommunications, bio-technology, mines and minerals, banking and financial services, consulting, and information technology.

Brian has been with Gould & Ratner since 1988. He began his career at Chapman and Cutler where he focused on the representation of banks and institutional investors in privately placed debt and equity transactions. Brian graduated with High Honors in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received his J.D. from Duke University.

Representative Matters

• Represented purchaser of Newport News and Spiegel Catalog businesses from Spiegel, Inc. in an acqisition under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.
• Represented private venture fund in the acquisiton of stock of a high tech manufacturing business, including negotiation of employment agreements, option plans, and other incentive arrangements for retained executive management.
• Represented bio-tech 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 foreign publicly traded communications equipment manufacturer in several U.S. based acquisitions.
• Represented shareholders of direct marketing agency in sale of stock to publicly traded advertising conglomerate, including continuing employment agreements for selling shareholders.
• 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 indebtedness.
• 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 cellular telephone company in negotiation of $5 million equipment acquisition and related secured financing.
• Represented local bank in documentation for and negotiation of secured guaranteed loan to printing business.
• Represented privately held cellular telephone company in sale of assets for $130 million to publicly traded wireless company.

Professional and Civic Affiliations

• Advisory Board of The Craniofacial Center, University of Illinois-Chicago
• West Suburban Temple Har Zion (River Forest, Illinois), Past President

Articles

• Negotiating the Software License: Eight Tips for the Licensee, The Practical Lawyer (American Bar Association), June 1999

News

• Verizon Wireless Purchases West Virginia Wireless

Other Publications

• Hedging Your Bets With Swaps