LEGAL SERVICES
From personal injury to complex corporate transactions, Murray & Regan provides sophisticated legal counsel across six core practice areas. Our experienced attorneys deliver strategic guidance backed by decades of combined expertise.
PRACTICE AREAS
Whether you’re an individual seeking personal legal counsel or a business navigating complex regulatory environments, our team has the specialized knowledge and experience to guide you to successful outcomes.
01 — ESTATE PLANNING
Estate planning is not a document — it’s a decision. A decision to protect what you’ve spent a lifetime building and to ensure your wishes are honored, your family is provided for, and your assets are shielded from unnecessary taxes, court proceedings, and disputes.
Murray & Regan approaches estate planning with both precision and sensitivity. We take the time to understand the full picture — your assets, your family dynamics, your goals, and your concerns — before recommending a plan. Whether you need a straightforward will or a complex trust structure with business succession components, we build plans that are airtight, current, and designed to hold up under scrutiny.
“An estate plan that isn’t kept current is a plan that doesn’t work. We review, update, and fortify your estate documents to reflect your life as it is today.”
WHAT WE HANDLE
Revocable and irrevocable trusts
Wills and last testaments
Powers of attorney
Healthcare directives
Beneficiary designations
Estate tax planning and minimization
Business succession planning
Guardianship designations for minors
02 • PROBATE ADMINISTRATION
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate — validating the will, inventorying assets, paying debts, and distributing property to heirs. It is rarely simple, and almost always emotionally difficult.
Murray & Regan assists personal representatives and executors through every phase of the probate process. We handle the filings, the creditor notices, the court appearances, and the accounting — so that you can focus on your family. Where disputes arise among heirs or creditors, we are prepared to litigate to protect the estate and ensure the decedent’s wishes are honored.
“Probate is overwhelming enough without navigating the legal process alone. We take the complexity off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters — your family.”
WHAT WE HANDLE
Will validation and filing
Appointment of personal representative
Asset inventory and appraisal
Creditor notification and debt resolution
Distribution of assets to beneficiaries
Contested probate and heir disputes
Estate accounting and court filings
Intestate estates (no will)
03 — MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
Mergers and acquisitions are among the most consequential transactions a business will ever undertake. They are also among the most legally complex. A missed clause, an undisclosed liability, or a poorly structured deal can unravel months of work and expose your company to significant risk.
Murray & Regan’s M&A practice is built around one principle: protecting your interests at every stage of the transaction. From the first letter of intent through due diligence, negotiation, and closing, we scrutinize every clause and anticipate every contingency. Our attorneys are not facilitators — we are strategic advisors who challenge assumptions, surface hidden risk, and ensure the deal you sign is the deal you intended.
“We focus on companies between $5M and $50M in revenue — a segment where the stakes are real, the complexity is high, and the need for experienced outside counsel is most acute.”
WHAT WE HANDLE
Letters of intent and term sheets
Due diligence coordination
Purchase agreement drafting and review
Representations and warranties negotiation
Regulatory and compliance review
Deal structuring (asset vs. stock)
Post-closing obligations and integration
WBE / MBE / DBE certification strategy
04 — CORPORATE REPRESENTATION
Running a business means navigating an ever-shifting legal landscape — employment law, regulatory requirements, contract obligations, and corporate governance. Most mid-sized businesses can’t justify a full-time general counsel, but they absolutely need one.
As outside general counsel, we embed ourselves in the operational and strategic life of your business. We’re not called in after a problem emerges — we work with you proactively to prevent legal exposure, structure sound agreements, and keep your company compliant and protected across every jurisdiction in which you operate. Our goal is to be the legal partner your business would build internally if it could.
“We don’t just respond to legal questions — we anticipate them. That’s the difference between a lawyer you call in a crisis and counsel you keep on retainer.”
WHAT WE HANDLE
Business formation and entity structure
Operating agreements and bylaws
Contract drafting and negotiation
Employment and labor law compliance
Regulatory filings and compliance
Intellectual property strategy
Board governance and shareholder matters
Outside general counsel retainer
05 — REAL ESTATE
Real estate is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll make. The details in a contract, the clarity of a title, and the terms of a closing can have consequences that last decades, and the wrong move can be costly.
Murray & Regan guides clients through real estate matters with the thoroughness and local knowledge the transaction demands. We review and negotiate contracts, resolve title issues, and ensure every closing is handled with precision. When disputes arise, we are prepared to protect your interests inside and outside the courtroom.
“Real estate deals can move fast, but the legal details can’t be rushed. We make sure every document reflects exactly what you’ve agreed to — and protects you if something goes wrong.”
WHAT WE HANDLE
Residential purchases and sales
Boundary and easement disputes
Commercial real estate transactions
Closing representation
Title review and title disputes
Property tax appeals
Lease drafting and negotiation
Landlord/tenant matters
06 — PERSONAL INJURY
When someone else’s negligence causes you harm, you shouldn’t have to navigate the legal system alone — especially while managing injuries, medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma. Murray & Regan takes that burden off your shoulders entirely.
We begin every personal injury case with a thorough evaluation of the facts, liability, and damages. We communicate directly with insurance companies, gather evidence, build a documented case, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. Our fee is contingent on your recovery — we don’t get paid unless you do.
“Insurance companies have large legal teams working to minimize what they owe you. We level that playing field — and then some.”
WHAT WE HANDLE
Automobile and truck accidents
Slip, trip, and fall injuries
Workplace injuries
Medical malpractice
Product liability claims
Premises liability
Insurance claim disputes
Wrongful death
07 — CIVIL LITIGATION
When a dispute escalates beyond negotiation, you need attorneys who are as effective in a courtroom as they are at a conference table. Murray & Regan’s litigators are trial-ready from day one — which is precisely why many of our cases settle favorably before reaching a verdict.
Civil litigation demands meticulous preparation, sound strategy, and the ability to adapt in real time. We take the time to understand the full factual and legal landscape of every dispute, identify your strongest arguments, and build a case designed to win — whether that means a negotiated resolution, mediation, arbitration, or a full trial on the merits.
“Our cases settle favorably not because we avoid trial — but because opposing counsel knows we’re ready for it.”
WHAT WE HANDLE
Commercial and business disputes
Contract breach and enforcement
Partnership and shareholder disputes
Real estate and property disputes
Fraud and misrepresentation claims
Employment disputes
Injunctive and emergency relief
Mediation and arbitration representation
07 — NONPROFIT REPRESENTATION
Nonprofits face a distinct set of legal challenges — governance requirements, compliance obligations, board liability, and regulatory scrutiny that differ significantly from for-profit entities. Failing to address these properly can threaten the organization’s tax-exempt status, expose board members to liability, and undermine the very mission you’ve built.
Murray & Regan provides nonprofits with the same caliber of legal counsel that large enterprises retain — ensuring your governance structure, compliance posture, and legal documentation are airtight. We advise boards on their fiduciary duties, assist with IRS filings and tax-exempt status, draft and review contracts, and represent your organization in any legal proceeding that may arise.
“Your mission is too important to be compromised by legal missteps. We protect the organization so you can focus on the impact.”
WHAT WE HANDLE
Nonprofit formation and 501(c)(3) filing
Board governance and bylaw drafting
IRS compliance and tax-exempt maintenance
Board member liability and indemnification
Employment matters for nonprofit staff
Grant agreement review
Conflict of interest policies
Litigation and regulatory defense
Not sure where to start?
Describe your situation and we’ll identify the right practice area — and the right attorney.
OUR APPROACH
Every matter follows a disciplined process — one designed to keep you informed, protect your interests, and move your case toward the best possible outcome with no unnecessary delays or surprises.
01
We begin with a candid conversation about your situation. You’ll speak directly with an attorney — not a paralegal or intake form — who will assess your matter honestly and tell you exactly where you stand.
02
We analyze the legal landscape, identify your strongest position, anticipate opposing arguments, and develop a clear strategy — including realistic timelines and outcome expectations.
03
We execute on that strategy with precision — drafting, filing, negotiating, and advocating on your behalf. You remain informed at every step without being buried in unnecessary detail.
04
Whether your matter resolves through settlement, court order, or transaction closing, we ensure the outcome is implemented correctly and that any ongoing obligations are clearly understood.
Schedule your free consultation today — experienced attorneys standing by across all four locations.
FAQ
Legal questions rarely come with obvious answers. Here are some of the most common questions we receive — answered directly, without the jargon. If your question isn’t here, call us. We’ll answer it in plain English.
While basic documents can be drafted without legal help, the cost of a poorly structured estate plan — in taxes, court fees, and family conflict — almost always exceeds the cost of doing it right the first time. An attorney ensures your plan is legally valid, tax-efficient, and reflects your actual intentions.
Our corporate practice focuses on companies generating between $5M and $50M in annual revenue — companies that need enterprise-level counsel but can’t justify the cost of a full in-house legal department. We serve as outside general counsel, scaling our involvement to match your needs.
Personal injury cases are typically handled on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. The fee is a percentage of the settlement or judgment. We discuss the exact structure during your free initial consultation so there are no surprises.
For most matters, any relevant documents — contracts, correspondence, prior legal filings, or financial statements — are helpful. For estate planning consultations, a list of your assets, existing documents, and intended beneficiaries is a good starting point. When in doubt, bring everything and let us sort out what’s relevant.
A straightforward probate matter in Illinois typically takes 6–12 months. Complex estates, contested wills, or disputes among heirs can extend that timeline considerably. Murray & Regan works to move the process as efficiently as possible while protecting the estate’s interests at every stage.
Mediation is a facilitated negotiation process in which a neutral third party helps the parties reach a voluntary agreement. Litigation is a formal court process that results in a binding judicial decision. We advise clients on the most effective path — and are prepared to pursue either one depending on your circumstances.
Yes. We assist with Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Minority-Owned Business (MBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification applications. These certifications open access to government contracts, procurement preferences, and new markets — and the application process requires careful legal preparation to succeed.
Yes. With offices in Frankfort, IL; Seattle, WA; and Cleveland, OH, we serve clients across multiple states. For federal matters and multi-jurisdictional corporate transactions, we frequently serve clients nationwide in coordination with local counsel where required.
CONTACT
With offices across four strategic locations, we’re positioned to serve you wherever you are. Reach out to the office nearest you, or contact our headquarters in Frankfort for immediate assistance.
Multi-jurisdictional expertise across Illinois, Washington, and Ohio
Personalized counsel backed by decades of combined experience
Rapid response times with offices open 5 days a week
Free initial consultations for qualifying matters