The White House released the “Build Back Better” plan that outlines a $3 trillion spending agenda funded partially through additional tax revenue. The agenda is targeted specifically at corporate taxpayers, high net worth individuals and estates. Our panel of experts will dive into what you need to do as a business owner to optimize opportunities for the year of change ahead.
Join us after the event for a 10 minute break out session with your firm of choice for an intimate Q&A forum. Sign up during registration for this additional unique offering.
Rob is a partner in Levenfeld Pearlstein's Corporate Group and has been with the firm since its inception.
Rob's areas of concentration include:
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Strategic Planning
- Equity Investments, Restructurings and Recapitalizations
- Corporate Governance and Partnership/Shareholder Agreements
- Joint Ventures, Capital Raises and Private Placements
- Private Investment Fund Formations
- IT Agreements (consulting, SaaS/"cloud," managed services, outsourcing).
- Complex Commercial Agreements
Bar Admissions
Illinois, 2008
Education
John Marshall Law School, J.D., 2008, cum laude
Iowa State University, B.A., 1997, Political Science
Memberships
The John Marshall Law Review
American Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Awards
Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2017-2018
Emerging Lawyer in Corporate Finance Law, Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities & Venture
Finance, Leading Lawyers, 2015
Member, The John Marshall Law Review
2008 Recipient, Order of John Marshall
EXPERIENCE
Prior to joining Northern, Rebecca was a Managing Director at JPMorgan and worked as a wealth advisor for ultra high net worth business owners. After leaving JPMorgan she started her own law practice, advising both individual clients and business owners on wealth transfer and business succession strategies.
EDUCATION
Rebecca graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana with a BA in English and a double minor in Rhetoric and History. She graduated from the University of Michigan Law School with a J.D. in 1989.
INTERESTS
She is a voracious reader and to her exercising is more than a passion—it’s a lifestyle. She enjoys cooking and baking and spending time with family and dogs. Football, both college and pro, bring her sheer happiness.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Rebecca currently serves as a hearing board chair for the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. She is a member of the Diversity Committee for the Chicago Estate Planning Council and is a member of the DuPage County Estate Planning Council. Prior to joining Northern, Rebecca served on the Board of Directors for
Wheaton Bank and Trust Company, which is a chartered bank under the Wintrust umbrella. Rebecca has been a long-time volunteer for Almost Home Foundation, a no-kill animal shelter.
EXPERTISE
As a Senior Wealth Advisor for the Central Region Rebecca works to provide sophisticated wealth planning strategies for affluent families and business owners. Rebecca has extensive experience in the areas of business transitional planning, including business succession and estate planning alignment; real estate; generational legacy planning; complex estate planning; charitable giving; and retirement planning. With over a quarter of a century of experience in the area of sophisticated and complex planning, Rebecca has learned that the best way to serve clients is to “hear” what they are saying (and not saying); to anticipate and encourage questions; and to provide exemplary service.
3 THINGS PEOPLE ASK ME
Is it best to treat my children fairly or equally when it comes to the family business?
I’ve used all of my lifetime exemption; are there wealth transfer strategies I can use to shift wealth to my descendants without incurring gift tax?
So you really like taxes?
EXPERIENCE
Rob Ashcroft is Director of Business Advisory Services and the Practice Lead in Northern Trust’s Advisory Services Group. He works closely with owners of privately held companies, helping them develop liquidity and succession plans. He helps clients assess their options in the context of prevailing market conditions, industry trends and the personal needs and preferences of the owners. He helps clients understand what potential buyers may demand and expect, as well as how to prepare their companies for the smoothest possible sale process. He can support owners as they select a suitable Investment Bank or M&A advisor.
Prior to joining Northern Trust, Mr. Ashcroft was a middle market Investment Banker for 17 years and advised on over 200 transactions across the US and Europe. Most recently he was with PwC in their Investment Banking group working in Chicago for ten years, having transferred from their London offices.
EDUCATION
Previous to entering financial services, he was an engineer at BAE Systems. Ashcroft is a qualified chartered accountant (FCA) and has held his FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. He earned a bachelor of engineering degree, with honors, from the University of Bath, and is a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
INTERESTS
He’s married to an American and enjoys living in the Windy City. He’s traveled extensively across the US and overseas, likes to keep active whether it is cycling or running up the lake. He is an avid skier, enjoys art, shooting and fishing.
3 THINGS PEOPLE ASK ME
I have been approached by someone interested in purchasing my company, what should I do?
One of my children works in the business and the others don’t. How do I make things fair between them?
What items should I have in mind before I consider selling my business?
Tony Burke is a Tax Principal. Prior to joining Miller Cooper, he served large and middle market clients at a top 5 accounting firm. Throughout his career, Mr. Burke has developed the technical skills to serve many industries, including manufacturing, venture capital/private equity, and business services.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Mr. Burke has fifteen years of experience in the areas of federal tax consulting and compliance, tax accounting, ASC 740 tax analysis/disclosure, state and local taxation, international taxation and examinations with federal and state taxing authorities. His clients have included a diverse mix with a focus on the manufacturing, distribution, and business services.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Mr. Burke earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Elmhurst College and a Master of Science in Taxation from DePaul University. He is a certified public accountant licensed in the state of Illinois and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts.