>     Daugherty v. Burns (4th Dist. 2002), 331 Ill.App.3d 562, 772 N.E.2d 237, 265 Ill.Dec. 199 (Appellate Court finding in favor of client’s ability to terminate farm tenancy);

>     Weaver v. Cummins (4th Dist. 2001), 323 Ill.App.3d 359, 751 N.E.2d 628, 256 Ill.Dec. 238 (Appellate Court ruling allowing for easement but denying the particular use sought by the opposing party);

>     Bank One, Springfield v. Roscetti (4th Dist. 1999), 309 Ill.App.3d 1048, 723 N.E.2d 755, 243 Ill.Dec. 452 (Appellate Court ruling in favor of lender client reversing the decision of the circuit court in regard to enforcement of personal guarantee on a commercial loan);

>     Snyder v. Curran Twp. (1995), 167 Ill.2d 466, 657 N.E.2d 988, 212 Ill.Dec. 643 (Illinois Supreme Court ruling in favor of client that discretionary municipal immunity did not shield municipality from negligent sign placement);

>     Springfield Rare Coin Galleries v. Mileham (4th Dist. 1993), 250 Ill.App.3d 922, 620 N.E.2d 479, 189 Ill.Dec. 511 (Appellate Court ruling in favor of client that former employer's noncompete agreement unenforceable, and upholding conversion claim against employer);

>     Sexton v. Marine Bank of Springfield (4th Dist. 1993), 247 Ill.App.3d 763, 617 N.E.2d 869, 187 Ill.Dec. 412 (Appellate Court invalidating property deed and finding in favor of client);

>     Martin v. State Journal-Register (4th Dist. 1993), 244.Ill.App.3d 955, 612 N.E.2d 1357, 184 Ill.Dec. 197 (Appellate Court affirming dismissal of libel action against client);

>     John Carey Oil Co. Inc. v. W.C.P. Investments (1988), 126 Ill.2d 139, 533 N.E.2d 851, 127 Ill.Dec. 769 (Illinois Supreme Court ruling in case of first impression that client owner-operator of oil lease could impose statutory lien against co-owner, and applying such new rule retroactively to benefit client);

>      Conner v. Copley Press, Inc. (1984), 99 Ill.2d 382, 459 N.E.2d 955, 76 Ill.Dec. 820 (Supreme Court ruling in favor of client finding that statute of limitations was not tolled in defamation action);

>     Inn of the Lamplighter v. Kramer (4th Dist. 1984), 128 Ill.App.3d 317, 470 N.E.2d 1205, 83 Ill.Dec 785 (Appellate Court finding in favor of client in mandamus action to compel State to institute condemnation proceeding for loss of access); and

>     People ex. rel. Director of Finance v. Y.W.C.A. (1981), 86 Ill.2d 219, 427 N.E.2d 70, 55 Ill.Dec. 950 (Illinois Supreme Court ruled in favor of condemnation client, holding State's attempt to take client's property for new courts complex invalid).

For all clients, large or small, Barber, Segatto, Hoffee & Hines has established a reputation for cost-effective, value-added legal service.

REAL ESATE TRANSACTIONS

Members handle transactions requiring many real estate specialties, including: contracts; closings; tax-deferred exchanges; mortgage opinion letters; local counsel opinion letters; major acquisition, construction, and permanent financing transactions of all types; commercial leasing transactions; sale-leasebacks; property management agreements; development of office buildings, hotels, multifamily, and other commercial, industrial, and residential projects; zoning matters; and the structuring of joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability entities, and other investment vehicles; transactions involving the leasing and disposition of real estate assets owned by financial institutions as a result of foreclosures or deeds in lieu; and workouts, restructurings and foreclosures; and all areas of litigation involving real property both in law and equity.

ESTATE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

The firm provides a broad range of estate and tax planning to individual clients, family groups, fiduciaries, and charitable organizations. This includes drafting of wills, trusts, powers of attorney for property and healthcare, life insurance trusts, charitable annuity trusts, special needs trusts, guardianships, and estate administration generally. This practice focuses on clients in Central Illinois, but also serves clients throughout the United States. Members of the firm advise professional fiduciaries, represent parties in fiduciary litigation, and handle the administration of trusts, the probate of estates, and estate litigation.

TAXATION AND PLANNING

The firm includes a fulltime Certified Public Accountant and Certified Valuation Analyst, and prepares over 400 individual, partnership, corporate, fiduciary, and estate tax returns. Members of the firm represent clients in tax court proceedings and handle the tax aspects of nearly every type of domestic business transaction.

MEDIA LAW

The firm represents several media clients and has experience in all areas of media law, including libel, defamation and other First Amendment issues, as well as freedom of information disputes.

BANKRUPTCY

The firm has a varied Illinois bankruptcy and business reorganization practice, which includes representation in every aspect of insolvency proceedings, from the restructuring of debts outside bankruptcy to reorganization plans and creditors' rights in liquidation proceedings. The firm represents both secured and unsecured creditors, as well as debtors, in such proceedings. Members of the firm have handled debtors' and creditors' rights in Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies, as well as Chapter 7 and 13 liquidations. The practice covers all phases of bankruptcy, including adversary litigation (e.g., preferences, fraudulent transfers, and lender liability), structuring of settlements and workout arrangements, and the negotiation and preparation of transactional and financing documents (e.g., debtor-in-possession agreements and reorganization plans). The firm has represented clients in proceedings involving real estate firms, oil and gas companies, banks, and other businesses, as well as individual debtors and creditors.

FAMILY LAW

The firm represents clients in all areas of family law. Adoption matters include national and international adoptions, as well as related and nonrelated adoptions. Attorneys in the firm have experience in handling all areas of divorce from the initial phases through temporary support and maintenance to settlement or trial. The firm represents clients in interstate as well as intrastate child support matters. The firm has a long history of representation in the field of guardianship for both disabled adults and minors. All members of the firm have extensive experience in the drafting and enforcement of powers of attorney for health care and property.

CONDEMNATION

The firm represents property owners in eminent domain proceedings, including quick-takes, cross complaints, traverse or motions to dismiss, trials and appeals. Our representation includes significant experience and knowledge in market value, just compensation issues, and evidence. The firm also has a track record of successfully challenging the exercise of eminent domain powers of condemning authorities.

OIL AND GAS LAW

Oil and gas leasing, assignments, operations and operating agreements, drilling opinions, abandonment, and litigation relating both to leasing and operation.