Attorney

James F. White

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Owner and Principal

Mr. White has practiced law for thirty years. He graduated from Indiana University in 1986, and received his law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1989. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar, and admitted to practice in the Federal Court in the Northern District of Illinois, in 1989. While attending law school, he was a law clerk with the law firm of Carey, Filter, White & Boland. He became an associate of that firm upon graduating, and in 1996 became a partner.

Mr. White served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Summit Homes beginning in 1996. In 2000, Mr. White joined the Naperville law firm of Dommermuth, Brestal, Cobine and West, where he concentrated his practice in the areas of real estate, land use, zoning and development. He opened his own law office in his home town of Sugar Grove in 2002, where he remains active in the community.

Mr. White has lectured in the areas of business organizations, real estate transactions and short sales. Mr. White concentrates his practice in the areas of zoning and development, estate planning and probate law, commercial and residential real estate transactions and leases, mortgage foreclosure and bank collection, and general transactional law.

Mr. White served as a Director on the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce board for ten years, and was President from 2004 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2011. He was a founding member of the Sugar Grove Economic Development Corporation. He is a founder and Board President of Water Lily International, a 501(c)(3) clean water ministry, and travels worldwide to spread the Gospel and provide clean water wells for those without access to clean water. He has been active in the Sugar Grove Corn Boil, Lions, and numerous other civic activities, and is a leader in his church. Mr. White lives in Sugar Grove with his wife and four of his eight children.

Practice Areas

• Real Estate Law
• Estate Planning
• Business Organization and Representation
• Residential and Commercial Real Estate Closings
• Personal Injury

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1989
• Federal Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1989

Education

• John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL Spring 1989, J.D.
• Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 1986, B.A. History

Affiliations

• Director on the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce board for ten years, and was President from 2004 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2011
• Founding Board Member of the Sugar Grove Economic Development Corporation - 2003
• Founder and Board President of Water Lily International, an Illinois Not-For-Profit clean water ministry – 2018 to present.

Past Employment

• Carey, Filter, White & Boland, Chicago, IL: Law clerk during law school. Became an Associate Attorney in 1989. Became a partner in 1996
• Summit Homes, St. Charles, IL: Executive Vice President and General Counsel 1996 – 2000.
• Law Office of James F. White, P.C., Sugar Grove, IL: Firm Principal 2002 to present.

Civil Litigation

Kane County Civil Litigation Attorney

Experienced Illinois Civil Litigation Attorneys

No matter what form your civil dispute takes, it's important to hire an attorney who is skilled in negotiation and litigation. Civil disputes can cost significant time and money, and it is important to have experienced counsel on your side from the beginning. At the Law Office of James F. White, P.C., we are skilled in all areas of civil litigation. We offer clients exceptional legal counsel in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Representing Clients In All Aspects of Civil Litigation

With over 20 years of legal experience, our attorneys have successfully handled a wide variety of civil litigation and dispute resolution cases. We represent plaintiffs and defendants in both state and federal courts. Typical matters for our firm include:

• Commercial litigation
• Partnership and shareholder disputes
• Trade secret litigation
• Injunctions and temporary restraining orders
• Contract disputes
• Employment disputes (including wage, salary and commission disputes)
• Divorce
• Bankruptcy
• Personal injury
• Construction litigation
• Defamation
• Real estate law
• Insurance defense litigation
• Estate planning
• Appeals

Effective Representation Throughout the Civil Litigation Process

As a smaller firm, we are able to offer clients consistent representation throughout the life of their matter. In the beginning, we thoroughly assess the merits of a civil action and analyze our clients' rights and responsibilities. As a case proceeds, we approach discovery and negotiations practically and with the expectation of going to trial. Whether a settlement is reached or the matter proceeds to court, our attorneys are always prepared.

If you are in need of high-quality civil litigation counsel, contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal matter. Our attorneys provide honest, professional legal counsel at every step of the legal process. From our Sugar Grove, IL office, we work with clients in Kane County, Kendall County, DuPage County, DeKalb County, and throughout the Chicago suburban and metropolitan areas.

Business Formation

Kane County Business Formation Attorney

Experienced Illinois Business Start Up Lawyer

Choosing an entity for a new business is an important decision. How you set up your business from the beginning will have serious implications for the business and business owners into the future. At the Law Office of James F. White, P.C., we are experienced in handling business formations for a wide variety of business types. Our firm assists start-up businesses on initial business formations as well as existing companies with reorganizations and expansions. We work with our clients to determine the best choice of entity to suit their personal and business goals and needs.

Choices in Business Formation

The type of business entity you select for your business venture will affect your personal and business taxes as well as your exposure to liability. Our attorneys will assess your personal and business objectives and capacity to recommend the type of business entity you should choose. We assist clients in choosing and establishing:

• Sole proprietorships—A common and easy choice, sole proprietorships offer owners total managerial control. However, owners also assume personal liability for business finances.
• Partnerships—An entity in which two or more partners share in a business' profits and losses. This entity has some tax benefits, but partners share personal liability for business finances.
• Corporations—A corporation is an entity separate from its founders. It can be taxed and held independently liable. Founders are not personally liable for the corporation's actions. Corporations cost more to form and require extensive record keeping. S-corporations and C-corporations are two options.
• Limited liability companies (LLCs)—A type of hybrid partnership, LLCs offer tax benefits to the business and shield owners from personal liability.

Once your choice of business entity has been made, our attorneys further assist you with the process of forming your business and establishing the rights of all involved parties. We are experienced contract attorneys and are dedicated to thoroughly protecting our clients' rights and interests throughout the business formation process.

In addition to assisting with business formation, we work with many established businesses in the areas of general counsel, contract drafting and review, licensing and permits, commercial real estate issues and employment matters.

If you need assistance with the formation of a business, contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs. We work with businesses and entrepreneurs in Kane County, Kendall County, DuPage County, DeKalb County, and throughout the Chicagoland area.

Commercial and Business Property

Kane County Commercial Real Estate Attorney

Lawyer for Business Property Acquisitions, Transactions, and Leases in Sugar Grove and Aurora

At the Law Office of James F. White, P.C., our team assists buyers, sellers, lessors, and lessees in all types of commercial real estate matters, including sales, purchases, and leasing. With more than 30 years of experience, our lawyer is prepared to offer valuable guidance with all aspects of a commercial property deal.

Commercial Real Estate Sales in DeKalb County

Investing in commercial real estate can be an extremely rewarding and profitable venture. However, if you do not have the right guidance, a bad deal could ruin you financially. Purchasing, selling, and the development of commercial real estate can be incredibly complicated, with a wide range of possible pitfalls, problems, and concerns. At our firm, our knowledgeable team is well-versed in both the law and strategies for maximizing the potential and profitability of your commercial property.

Attorney James F. White and the rest of his team works with buyers, sellers, brokers, and developers in all types of matters involving the purchase and sale of commercial real property, as well as the development of small-, medium-, and large-scale commercial projects. Whether your deal involves a warehouse, office space, industrial facilities, restaurant, or multi-unit commercial property, we have the knowledge, skills, and resources to assist you as you make your way through the process. Our firm also offers guidance with land use and zoning matters, traffic considerations, environmental concerns, easements, and any other issues that could prevent you from reaching your goal. Our top priority is helping you finalize the transaction as quickly as possible while remaining compliant with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Naperville Commercial Leasing Attorney

Leasing documents for commercial property, in most cases, are dense, complex agreements that contain many pages of confusing language and complicated terms. At the Law Office of James F. White, P.C., we are committed to helping you fully understand your responsibilities and rights related to any commercial lease agreement to which you are a party. Our team can assist you with drafting commercial lease documents that meet your needs and protect your best interests. We can also conduct a review of your current agreements or documents drafted by other attorneys so that we can identify any potential causes for concern. If you are a property owner, it is very important to find quality tenants to lease your property, and we can help you find the right people to work with.

Mr. White and his team also work with tenants—often called lessees in legal documents—in the process of commercial leasing as well. With our real estate background and our knowledge of the applicable laws, we offer trusted advice to tenants looking to get the most out of their lease. If problems should arise, we are equipped to represent our clients in breach of contract proceedings, landlord-tenant matters, and all other disputes related to commercial real estate.

Schedule a Free Consultation

If you would like to learn more about our firm and how we can help you with your commercial real estate matter, contact our office. Call 630-466-1600 for a free consultation today. Our firm serves clients in Sugar Grove, Aurora, Naperville, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Oswego, Montgomery, Yorkville, North Aurora, DeKalb, Kaneville, Maple Park, Elburn, Hinckley, DeKalb County, Kane County, DuPage County, and throughout Northern Illinois.