Tomlinson & Shapiro Wins Lawsuit over Control and Ownership of a Fifth Generation Family-Owned Manufacturer

Tomlinson & Shapiro attorneys Michael Tomlinson, and Michael Shapiro recently won a lawsuit on behalf of the owner of a manufacturing business that had been owned by his family for five generations. The case was litigated in circuit court in DuPage County. Tomlinson & Shapiro filed the lawsuit after a long-time executive employee attempted to seize control of the business by presenting documents that purported to transfer shares in the company to him in the late 1980s. After obtaining a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to protect the company’s ongoing operations, the firm won summary judgment in favor of the owner and against the rogue executive. The court granted judgment based on the argument that the alleged transfer of shares to the executive was invalid under Illinois corporate and trust law. Michael Shapiro argued the summary judgment motion on behalf of the firm.