Andrew “Andy” Baumann is a seasoned transactional and business lawyer who often acts in an outside general counsel capacity and as a go-to legal resource for clients, overseeing their corporate, commercial contract, finance and real estate needs. From established companies to innovators and entrepreneurs, Andy’s astute advice helps business leaders accomplish their strategic goals and adopt proactive measures to relieve business concerns and minimize risks. Over the years, he has developed a broad vision of the issues that confront clients in diverse and highly regulated industries and an aptitude for crafting novel and creative solutions. Critical to protecting business interests are well-constructed and executed contracts and other commercial agreements. With this in mind, Andy regularly advises clients on how to respond to or prepare vendor agreements and he drafts and negotiates non-compete and/or confidentiality agreements among other contracts. Andy’s commercial insights ensure clients are well protected and that their valued relationships with vendors, suppliers and customers continue to thrive. Clients also turn to Andy for assistance during creation and growth stages, which includes corporate governance, organizational structure, entity formation, corporate operating and maintenance issues, and drafting the myriad of related documents such as shareholders’ and buy-sell agreements. In his commercial real estate practice, Andy works with clients in all aspects of real estate, focusing on the acquisition and disposition of their current real estate assets. He also has significant experience in commercial and office leasing, representing both tenants and landlords.

Andrew represents a large number of middle-market banks, credit unions and other financial institutions in the Chicago area and concentrates his practice on representing businesses and focusing on financial and business transactions including the negotiating and documentation of a wide variety of secured and unsecured lending for all types of credit facilities. His experience includes representing companies, financial institutions, and credit unions in areas such as complex finance transactions, loan origination, commercial real estate matters, leasing and related transactions and documentation. Andrew also has experience in litigation in both federal and state court.

Provided comprehensive legal representation to banks, leasing companies and other financial institutions. Experienced in documentation of complex commercial loan transactions, handling of loan workouts and foreclosures, advising clients on regulatory matters with state and federal agencies. Established and represented all forms of business enterprises, both public and privately owned. Represented both individuals and businesses in sophisticated loan, leases, acquisitions of real estate and businesses, secured transactions and asset purchases and sales.

Provided comprehensive legal representation to banks, leasing companies and other financial institutions. Experienced in documentation of complex commercial loan transactions, handling of loan workouts and foreclosures, advising clients on regulatory matters with state and federal agencies. Established and represented all forms of business enterprises, both public and privately owned. Represented both individuals and businesses in sophisticated loan, leases, acquisitions of real estate and businesses, secured transactions and asset purchases and sales.Assisted clients with a variety of bankruptcy matters including preference analysis, adversary actions and motions to lift the automatic stay.

Provided support and assistance to public and private fair housing agencies, attorneys, and individuals with respect to fair housing and fair lending law. Worked with clients who have complaints of housing and lending discrimination. Conducted legal research, offers advice on trial strategy, and provides sample forms and briefs to help groups fight housing discrimination.Participated in administrative action at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); state, county, and municipal agencies,Represented individuals who would otherwise be unable to obtain legal help with respect to fair housing and fair lending discrimination matters.Provided civic associations, community-based organizations, the real estate industry, and private fair housing groups with legal information about rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws.

Prepared loan origination documents for commercial real estate and asset based loans. Calculated monthly loan payment figures as necessary. Prepared documentation packages for loan closings according to the credit approval.Drafted loan modifications and extensions to existing loan documents.Assisted the Loan Assistants with ordering credit reports, appraisals, title reports, and flood determinations.Worked with the Loan Assistants in obtaining corporate statuses, conduct OFAC and UCC searches, tax liens and judgment searches, and any other searches and/or necessary documentation.Assembled loan files and insured collateral documents are sent for recording or filing to perfect bank’s lien interest.