Lisa Vandesteeg’s passion is helping clients identify and resolve critical and immediate problems in the areas of bankruptcy, business divorce, partner and shareholder disputes, and privacy and data security issues. Lisa often acts in a general counsel or legal consulting role to solve her clients’ problems in the fastest and most effective manner.
Honors
Selected for inclusion in Illinois SuperLawyers (2016-2019), Illinois SuperLawyers Rising Stars (2011-2015)
Selected by peers as an Emerging Lawyer in: Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial (2017)
Publications
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06/20/2019
SFGH partner Elizabeth “Lisa” Vandesteeg quoted in article titled “Litigation Funders Become the Litigants as Industry Grows”
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger partner Lisa Vandesteeg was recently quoted in the American Lawyer Magazine for the article "Litigation Funders Become the Litigants as Industry Grows." In this article, Lisa Vandesteeg provided commentary on recent litigation over its permitted use.
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03/20/2018
Congratulations to SFGH partners Jonathan P. Friedland and Elizabeth B. Vandesteeg on their recent publication in Thomson Reuters' 2018 edition of the treatise Strategic Alternatives For and Against Distressed Businesses, 2018 ed.
Congratulations to SFGH partners Jonathan P. Friedland and Elizabeth B. Vandesteeg on their recent publication in Thomson Reuters' 2018 edition of the treatise Strategic Alternatives For and Against Distressed Businesses, 2018 ed.
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03/10/2018
SFGH congratulates partners Jonathan Friedland and Lisa Vandesteeg on Thomson Reuters publication of the 2018 edition Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation, 2d.
SFGH congratulates partners Jonathan Friedland and Lisa Vandesteeg on Thomson Reuters publication of the 2018 edition Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation, 2d.
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11/01/2017
Elizabeth Vandesteeg and Jeffrey Goldberg author article entitled “What Lies Beneath the Surface: The Dark Web” in the November issue of The Corporate Counselor.
Elizabeth Vandesteeg and Jeffrey Goldberg authored an article appearing in the November 2017 editions of The Corporate Counselor and the Cybersecurity Law & Strategy journals. The article, entitled “What Lies Beneath the Surface: The Dark Web,” provides insight into the structure of the Web and the contented housed on each level, as well as offers some practical tips on preventing a company’s data from being compromised and ending up on the Dark Web.
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08/17/2017
American Bar Association publishes third revised version of Reorganizing Failing Businesses treatise featuring chapters co-authored by five Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partners.
The American Bar Association published its Reorganizing Failing Businesses treatise, which included chapters entitled, “United States Securities Laws Implications of Corporate Restructurings” co-authored by Aaron L. Hammer, Mark S. Melickian and Etahn M. Cohen and “Financing a Chapter 11 Case: Debtor-in-Possession Financing” co-authored by Jonathan P. Friedland and Elizabeth B. Vandesteeg.
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08/01/2017
Jonathan Friedland, Elizabeth Vandesteeg and Jeffrey Goldberg author article entitled, “Litigation Risk Mitigation Through the Use of Third Party Litigation Funding” published by The Corporate Counselor
The August 2017 issue of The Corporate Counselor includes an article authored by Jonathan Friedland, Elizabeth Vandesteeg and Jeffrey Goldberg. The article, entitled, “Litigation Risk Mitigation Through the Use of Third-Party Litigation Funding” discusses the growing trend of plaintiffs seeking an investor to finance litigation.
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02/28/2017
Jonathan Friedland and Lisa Vandesteeg author 2017 edition of "Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation, 2d".
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP is pleased to congratulate Jonathan Friedland and Elizabeth Vandesteeg on the publication of the 2017 edition of "Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation, 2d". Friedland is the book’s creator and editor in chief and Vandesteeg, is one if its managing editors.
One of West Publishing’s best-selling titles since 2009, and weighing in at more than 1,600 pages, Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation is the result of an effort of more than 50 restructuring professionals, including partners from more than 20 distinguished firms.
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02/27/2017
Jonathan Friedland and Lisa Vandesteeg author 2017 edition of "Strategic Alternatives for and Against Distressed Businesses".
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP is pleased to congratulate Jonathan Friedland and Elizabeth Vandesteeg on the publication of the 2017 edition of "Strategic Alternatives for and Against Distressed Businesses". Friedland is the book’s creator and editor in chief and Vandesteeg is one if its managing editors. SFGH attorneys who authored chapters include Aaron Hammer, Christopher Horvay, S. Jason Teele, and Nicole Stefanelli.
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11/14/2016
Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg and Tricia Schwallier author article entitled “Supplier! Can Your Unpaid Administrative Claim Be Setoff Against Your Preference Liability?” on Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation, a DailyDac website.
On November 14, 2016, Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation, a DailyDac website, published an article written by Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg and Tricia Schwallier entitled “Supplier! Can Your Unpaid Administrative Claim Be Setoff Against Your Preference Liability?”
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10/07/2016
SFGH Wins Preliminary Injunction for Arizona Investment Advisory Firm
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer attorneys, Elizabeth (“Lisa”) B. Vandesteeg, Kathryn C. Nadro, and Jonathan P. Friedland, recently secured a major victory in a preliminary injunction hearing for a registered investment advisory firm.
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10/01/2016
Lisa Vandesteeg publishes feature article in Law Journal Newsletter on Cybersecurity Law & Strategy entitled "CYBER-ETHICS: Technological Competence Obligations and the Interplay of the ABA Model Rules and Attorney Cybersecurity"
The October 2016 issue of theLaw Journal Newsletter on Cybersecurity Law & Strategy included a feature article authored by Lisa Vandesteeg entitled, "CYBER-ETHICS: Technological Competence Obligations and the Interplay of the ABA Model Rules and Attorney Cybersecurity."
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08/15/2016
Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg and Tricia Schwallier author article on the DailyDac's Commercial Bankruptcy Alternatives website entitled, “Optimizing Corporate Workouts with Independent Directors and Special Committees.”
The Commercial Bankruptcy Alternatives website features an article authored by Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg and Tricia Schwallier entitled, “Optimizing Corporate Workouts with Independent Directors and Special Committees.”
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08/02/2016
Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg, Matthew Schiff and Tricia Schwallier publish article in the August 2016 edition of The Corporate Counselor, a Law Journal Newsletter, entitled, “Private Equity Investment Funds, Beware!”
The August 2016 edition of The Corporate Counselor, a Law Journal Newsletter, features an article by Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg, Matthew Schiff and Tricia Schwallier entitled, “Private Equity Investment Funds, Beware!”
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07/14/2016
Lisa Vandesteeg Elected to Bankruptcy Court Liaison Committee for Northern District of Illinois
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP (SFGH) partner, Lisa Vandesteeg, has been elected to the Bankruptcy Court Liaison Committee for the Northern District of Illinois.
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05/02/2016
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP is pleased to announce Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation (West, 2016) was recently released. Partners Jonathan Friedland and Elizabeth Vandesteeg serve as its lead authors.
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP is pleased to announce Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation (West, 2016) was recently released. Partners Jonathan Friedland and Elizabeth Vandesteeg serve as its lead authors. Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation, 2016 edition, is a comprehensive guide for non-bankruptcy experts to understand the ins and outs of Chapter 11.
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04/13/2016
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer is pleased to announce the recent publication of Strategic Alternatives For and Against Distressed Businesses (West, 2016). Partners Jonathan Friedland and Elizabeth Vandesteeg serve as its lead authors.
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer is pleased to announce the recent publication of Strategic Alternatives For and Against Distressed Businesses (West, 2016). Partners Jonathan Friedland and Elizabeth Vandesteeg serve as its lead authors.
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02/11/2016
SFGH Attorneys Named 2016 Illinois Super Lawyers
Leading attorney rating service recognizes SFGH lawyers.
Speaking Engagements
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10/24/2019
Lisa Vandesteeg to speak on panel “Ethical Traps for the Unwary Bankruptcy Lawyer” as part of the Hon. Robert E. Ginsberg Annual Program on Commercial Bankruptcy
SFGH partner Elizabeth “Lisa” Vandesteeg will speak on a panel for the Bankruptcy and Reorganization Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. The panel, “Ethical Traps for the Unwary Bankruptcy Lawyer,” will discuss some of the common ethical traps that bankruptcy lawyers may face in their practices, and it will offer techniques and solutions to avoid those traps.
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10/17/2019
SFGH partner Elizabeth “Lisa” Vandesteeg to moderate panel “Risk: It’s a Board’s Game – Anticipating, Avoiding, Abating Risk for Private Company Directors” in New York, NY
SFGH partner Elizabeth “Lisa” Vandesteeg will moderate a panel in New York, NY on November 6, 2019. The panel, “Anticipating, Avoiding, Abating Risk for Private Company Directors,” will cover how a board can help to foster a risk-focused corporate culture, what the risk oversight function of the board is and what steps a board should take when it becomes aware of such a situation.
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10/15/2019
Elizabeth “Lisa” Vandesteeg to speak on “Privacy Regulations and the Role of the Board”
Join Lisa Vandesteeg on October 22, 2019, as she and a panel of experts address the basic requirements of recent privacy regulation and enforcement actions. In this panel, Lisa will also discuss how boards can help their organizations assess and manage privacy risks. Case studies will be offered to describe the experiences of organizations implementing new privacy controls as well as current and planned compliance activities of companies.
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10/09/2019
Elizabeth “Lisa” Vandesteeg to moderate webinar “Introduction to EU General Data Protection Regulation: Planning, Implementation, and Compliance”
On October 22, 2019, in this second part of the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy series, Lisa Vandesteeg will discuss the GDPR requirements and how your organization may meet those standards.
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09/18/2019
Elizabeth “Lisa” Vandesteeg to moderate webinar “Introduction to US Privacy and Data Security: Regulations and Requirements”
Join Lisa Vandesteeg for an overview of the many US privacy and data security laws and regulations which may impact your business. This webinar is part one of the “Cybersecurity and Data Privacy" series and will take place on September 24, 2019.
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06/11/2019
SFGH partner Elizabeth Vandesteeg to speak on webinar titled “Data Privacy & Security 101” as part of its 2019 series “One Hour Law School”
Businesses must understand and protect against the legal, business and reputational risks from actual or perceived misuse of data. Experts further warn (and sometimes daily news seems to suggest) that data breaches are inevitable, and businesses must plan for the operational, legal and reputational fallout of such events. Lisa Vandesteeg will be speaking on this topic that will continue to grow in importance in today’s data-driven marketplace. The webinar will take place on June 18, 2019.
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05/07/2019
Corporate cybersecurity strategist Elizabeth Vandesteeg among panelists at the Spring 2019 Private Director Symposium in New York
On May 15, SFGH partner Elizabeth Vandesteeg will be discussing cybersecurity & data privacy for the private company director at the Spring 2019 Private Director Symposium.
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09/04/2018
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger LLP is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Vandesteeg will speak at a West LegalEdcenter/Financial Poise webinar series titled “Introduction to US Privacy and Data Security: Regulations and Requirements"
SFGH partner Elizabeth Vandesteeg will speak at a West LegalEdcenter/Financial Poise webinar series titled “Introduction to US Privacy and Data Security: Regulations and Requirements.” The webinar will take place on September 24, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. CDT.
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05/04/2018
SFGH congratulates Lisa Vandesteeg on being selected to join the advisory board for the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Central States Conference.
SFGH partner Lisa Vandesteeg has been selected to join the advisory board for the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Central States conference. In this role, Lisa will help to set the educational content provided at this well-attended annual conference.
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12/08/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg speaks at TMA Global NextGen Leadership Conference on a panel entitled, "How to Make A First Impression".
On December 8, 2017, Elizabeth ("Lisa") Vandesteeg will be speaking at the TMA Global NextGen Leadership Conference on a panel entitled, "How to Make a First Impression", which will address best practices and pitfalls in networking and business development.
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12/07/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg sits as panelist for the third episode in a series of webinars entitled, "Valuation Fights In Litigation: Fraudulent Transfer or Preference Attack" for Financial Poise.
On December 7, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will sit as a panelist for the third episode of a Financial Poise webinar series titled Valuation Fights In Litigation: Battle of the Experts. The overall series considers valuation disputes and techniques and experts used commonly in typical situations such as fair value financial reporting, bankruptcy, income tax reporting, property tax appeals, estate and gift tax planning, dissenting shareholder disputes, divorce litigation, etc. The third episode will analyze the mechanics and pros and cons of various fee arrangements, from hourly to contingent to mixtures of the two.
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11/13/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg sits as panelist for the third episode in a series of webinars entitled "Inside Counsel Insider: Data Privacy & Social Media Compliance 2.0" for Financial Poise.
On November 13, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will sit as a panelist for the third episode of a Financial Poise webinar series titled "Inside Counsel Insider: Corporate & Regulatory Compliance 2.0". The overall series considers corporate and regulatory compliances as it relates to procurement and government contracting, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, data privacy and social media. The third episode will analyze the means for companies to reach data goals ethically, efficiently and legally.
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11/09/2017
“SFGH is pleased to be a sponsor of ABI’s River Roast Endowment Dinner, to be held November 9th. Kudos to our own Elizabeth Vandesteeg for co-chairing this event.”
SFGH is pleased to be a sponsor of ABI'S River Roast Endowment Dinner, to be held on November 9th. Kudos to our own Elizabeth Vandesteeg for co-chairing this event.
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10/19/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg sits as panelist for the second episode in a series of webinars entitled Valuation Fights In Litigation: Valuing Lost Profits for Litigation Purposes for Financial Poise.
On October 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will sit as a panelist for the second episode of a Financial Poise webinar series titled Valuation Fights In Litigation: Battle of the Experts. The overall series considers valuation disputes and techniques and experts used commonly in typical situations such as fair value financial reporting, bankruptcy, income tax reporting, property tax appeals, estate and gift tax planning, dissenting shareholder disputes, divorce litigation, etc. The second episode will analyze different methods to measure lost profits.
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10/18/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg named "40 Under 40" by American Bankruptcy Institute
Elizabeth “Lisa” Vandesteeg has been named to the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 2017 “40 under 40” class.
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09/27/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg sits as panelist for the first episode in a series of webinars entitled Legal Ethics: Best Practice Regarding Technology for West LegalEd Center/Financial Poise.
On September 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will sit as a panelist for the first episode of a West LegalEd Center/Finanical Poise webinar series titled Legal Ethics - Best Practices. The overall series examines ethical issues confronted by businesses in a variety of contexts, from so called "grey areas" to those involving outright corruption. The first episode will analyze the problems and some solutions that arise out of the changing manner and pace of business law practice with rapid evolving technology.
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06/13/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg moderates the fifth episode in a series of webinars entitled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenario: Anatomy of a Preference Action for Financial Poise.
On June 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will moderate the final episode in a series of webinars for Financial Poise titled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenarios. The episode will explore the standards for bringing fraudulent transfer or preference actions and then dives more deeply into how to defend against them.
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05/30/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg moderates the fifth episode in a series of webinars entitled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenario: Contesting Confirmation for Financial Poise.
On May 30, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will moderate the fifth episode in a series of webinars for Financial Poise titled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenarios. The episode will explore the process and provide guidance for how to both defend and attack the confirmation of a chapter 11 debtor's plan.
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04/20/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg sits as panelist for the third episode in a series of webinars entitled Complex Financial Litigation for the Non-Expert: Resolving Shareholder Disputes for Financial Poise.
On April 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will sit as a panelist for the third episode of a Financial Poise webinar series titled Complex Financial Litigation for the Non-Expert. The overall series considers the specialization that the legal industry has undergone in the past several decades. The third episode will analyze common shareholder disputes, such as breach of duty, shareholder oppression, non-competes, shareholder departure (voluntary or involuntary), and power struggles due to death of a majority shareholder.
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04/11/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg sits as panelist for the first episode in a series of webinars entitled Valuation in Corporate Transactions: Selecting the Right Valuation Expert for Financial Poise.
On April 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg sat as a panelist for the first episode of a Financial Poise webinar series titled Valuation in Corporate Transactions. The overall series considers broadly how valuation experts go about their work to determine the price market participants are willing to pay or receive to transact a sale of a security, a business or a discrete asset. The first episode will analyze how to best go about identifying and retaining the right expert for any given situation.
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04/05/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg sits as panelist for the third episode in a series of webinars entitled Business Law Dumbed Down: Common Deal Points for West LegalEd Center.
On April 5, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will sit as a panelist for the third episode of a West LegalEd Center webinar series titled Business Law Dumbed Down. The overall series holistically considers the dizzying array of choices and issues which individuals and entities face in corporate and commercial law from the outset of the business until the termination of their interest in it. The third episode will analyze common deal points, including commercially reasonable vs. best efforts, liability limiting provisions and other commonly recurring negotiation spots.
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04/04/2017
Lisa Vandesteeg moderates the third episode in a series of webinars entitled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenario: Lift Stay Battles for Financial Poise.
On April 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will moderate the third episode in a series of webinars for Financial Poise titled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenarios. The episode will explore the scope of the automatic stay and the procedure and grounds for seeking relief.
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02/23/2017
Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg sat as panelist for the first episode in a series of webinars entitled "Complex Financial Litigation for the Non-Expert: Nuts & Bolts of Lost Profit Cases" for Financial Poise.
On February 23, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg sat as a panelist for the second episode of a Financial Poise webinar series titled "Complex Financial Litigation for the Non-Expert". The overall series considers the specialization that the legal industry has undergone in the past several decades. The second episode will analyze wrongful acts leading to damages, what makes an effective claim to recover lost profits, proactive solutions to prevent or reduce claims, and the difference between a reduction in business value and lost profits.
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02/21/2017
Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg moderates the second episode in a series of webinars entitled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenario: Cash Collateral and DIP Loan Contests for Financial Poise.
On February 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg will moderate the second episode in a series of webinars for Financial Poise titled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenarios.
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01/17/2017
Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg moderates the first episode in a series of webinars entitled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenario: Venue Fights for Financial Poise.
On January 17, 2017, Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Elizabeth (Lisa) Vandesteeg moderated the first in a series of webinars for Financial Poise titled Bankruptcy Battle Royale – Common Litigation Scenarios.
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12/07/2016
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® names Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP a 2017 “Best Law Firm”
On November 1, 2016, U.S. News and World Report and Best Lawyers® announced that Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP had been ranked as a “Best Law Firm” for 2017.
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11/17/2016
Aaron L. Hammer and Elizabeth B. Vandesteeg discuss Information Security at Federation of Credit & Financial Professional’s Credit & Accounts Receivable Professional Retreat Day
On November 17, 2016, Aaron L. Hammer and Elizabeth B. Vandesteeg, partners in the law firm of Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP, spoke at the Federation of Credit & Financial Professional’s (FCFP) Credit & Accounts Receivable Professional Retreat Day.
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09/12/2016
SFGH assists client in closing bankruptcy transaction monetizing $213 million judgment
Last week several media outlets (including The American Lawyer, Law360, and Crain’s) covered a transaction by which Gerchen Keller Capital, the largest litigation funder in the world with more than $1.4 billion in assets, closed a $26.2 million investment.
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10/04/2015
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP Grows Restructuring Practice with Additions of Jonathan Friedland and Lisa Vandesteeg
On October 4, 2015, Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP announced that Jonathan Friedland and Lisa Vandesteeg have joined its corporate restructuring and creditor’s rights practice as partners.
News
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10/10/2019
SFGH Represents Morgan Administration Inc. et al. in Confirming Chapter 11 Liquidating Plan
SFGH congratulates its Bankruptcy, Reorganization & Creditors' Rights Group on its recent representation of Morgan Administration, Inc. and its affiliated debtor entities, better known as “Home Owners Bargain Outlet,” or “HOBO,” in confirming their joint chapter 11 liquidating plan before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
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05/09/2019
Jonathan P. Friedland, Howard M. Helsinger, Christopher J. Horvay, Matthew B. Schiff, Richard A. Sugar and Elizabeth B. Vandesteeg selected as 2019 Illinois Super Lawyers
SFGH congratulates Jonathan P. Friedland, Howard M. Helsinger, Christopher J. Horvay, Matthew B. Schiff, Richard A. Sugar and Elizabeth B. Vandesteeg for being selected as 2019 Illinois Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers Magazine.