Richard J. Arendt

Raised and Educated in Chicago

Richard J Arendt
Rich has been a lifelong resident of Chicago. Rich was born and raised at 64 th and Hermitage in the West Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. At the age of 12 he entered the seminary in Holland, MI. Rich left the seminary at the age of 15 and returned home to find that his parents had left their Chicago home and moved to Morton Grove, IL. He finished high school at Notre Dame college prep in Morton Grove, IL. 

Rich attended collage at Loyola University completing undergraduate degrees in East Asian and Russian History and Psychology. Rich was accepted into Loyola Law School where he completed his JD and passed the bar. 

Business and Tax Law First

When Rich opened his law practice, he started a “business practice”.  His clients owned businesses. His legal services were centered around starting, running, and growing his client’s businesses. Today he continues to provide legal representation to individuals and business owners alike.

From the beginning, Rich provided clients with tax planning and preparation services ensuring that each client paid what is owed, and strategies to reduce their tax burden where possible.

Depending on the type of business entity, Rich expanded his practice to meet the additional needs of his clients. This may mean entering a partnership, validating employee handbooks, protecting intellectual property, purchasing equipment, or buying or selling residential or commercial real estate.

Rich has always provided civil and commercial litigation for his clients. He is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ILTA). The mission of the ILTA aligns with Rich’s principles as an attorney. 

The members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association fight to ensure all citizens get equal footing in the courtroom, even when taking on the most powerful interests. We see to it that those who harm consumers, other individuals, or even their own employees, are held accountable.

Rich has great respect for his clients. As a business owner himself, he faces some of the same challenges of running a business, keeping expenses in line, retaining happy employees, and winning for his clients.

Business: Start to Succession

Long-term planning: sometimes referred to as estate planning or legacy planning, is a crucial part of owning a business or protecting your family. Long-term planning ensures that the legacy an individual may have spent a lifetime building is protected and will continue. A business succession plan integrates the clients’ business interests, strategic tax needs, family estate planning objectives, and retirement goals.

Rich continues to fine-tune his practice to meet his clients’ needs, both as individuals and business owners.

Rich will not take divorce cases or adoptions anymore. He does not accept criminal, traffic, or family law cases.

However, he will provide recommendations to clients for exceptional attorneys with whom he has personal experience. He is confident these individuals will provide his clients with the best representation possible.

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