Bryan R. Bagdady

I am a business and estates attorney who has been practicing law for more than 30 years. I founded Corporate & Estate Legal Services, Ltd. to focus on the needs of my business clients and to handle bankruptcy and probate cases. I have decades of experience handling a wide variety of business contracts and business lawsuits. I represent both plaintiffs and defendants. I genuinely enjoy analyzing and resolving civil disputes. If claims and demands can be resolved amicably, that's great. If not, then we litigate. I was a debater in high school and college. I have been performing these claims-based functions for quite literally my whole life. I am very comfortable with commercial litigation, chancery litigation, probate litigation, and all manner of business torts.

My experience affords me the luxury of handling all phases of dispute resolution including pre-suit settlements, trial advocacy, post judgment enforcement, and appellate advocacy. At most firms, these functions are splintered across different departments and between multiple lawyers. If you retain Bryan as your attorney, then all of these functions are consolidated into one point of contact.

I am also known to be somewhat demanding on my clients. I expect that my clients will be open, honest, candid, and truthful in all aspects of dispute resolution. If you are willing to be truthful and to abide by the requirements of the law, I will zealously advocate on your behalf.

I graduated from Northwestern University where I studied economics. I earned my law degree from DePaul University College of Law. At Northwestern University, I was awarded the Wyman-Hibbs Debate Scholarship for outstanding achievement in the field of academic and competitive debate. If you have a contract, case, or legal claim that you wish to discuss, give me a call or drop me an email. I will be happy to speak with you.

• Business Law
• Collections
• Bankruptcy
• Estate Planning
• Probate
• Intellectual Property
• Trademarks

• Free Consultation
  Free Initial Consultation.
• Contingent Fees
  I accept contingency fee cases for qualified business disputes involving claims in excess of $250,000.

Illinois

Since 1983

7th Circuit

Since 1988

Founding Attorney

Corporate & Estate Legal Services, Ltd.

2013 - Current

Corporate & Estate Legal Services, Ltd. was founded in July of 2013 to represent small and mid-sized businesses as well as individuals. The firm focuses on business to business collection litigation, general business litigation, employment and restrictive covenant litigation, probate litigation, chapter 7 bankruptcy services, trademark applications, and intellectual property litigation.

DePaul College of Law

J.D. (1982) | Law

1979 - 1982

Honors: DePaul College of Law 711 Student admitted to practice in Courts as Senior Law Student.

Northwestern University

B.S. (1978) | Economics

1974 - 1978

Honors: Wyman Hibbs Debate Scholar. President of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Activities: Northwestern Debate Society, Gymnastics Club, Sigma Chi Fraternity.

State Bar of Illinois # 6184235

Member

Current

Q. How can I protect myself as a contractor?

30 March 2020

A: Take a look at my article on ten essential business contracts. This is a good starting point. Best of luck. - Bryan. http://celsinfo.com/essential-business-agreements/

Q. Are online wills legally binding in Illinois (overriding existing court filed wills)?

21 March 2020

A: 755 ILCS 5/4-3 of the Illinois Probate Act states that every will shall be in writing, signed by the testator and attested (witnessed) by 2 or more witnesses. Preparing something online only does not comply.

Q. I want to trademark "Trill Apparel" but "TRILL APPAREL CLOTHING COMPANY" is taken.

31 January 2020

A: I agree with my colleague, Mr. Brooks. In my experience, your request is dead on arrival. If there is a likelihood of confusion, your application will be rejected. - Bryan.

Q. What happens if original will states one thing, but decedent changes his mind but it wasn’t recorded?

22 January 2020

A: When you state that your husband's name was added to the deed, what exactly do you mean. As a general principle, the will governs the disposition of the decedents property as that property exists at the time of death. If your father-in-law conveyed and properly recorded the deed of conveyance into joint title with your husband, then that is the state of what your father-in-law's estate owns as of his death. Based upon the facts you stated, there is no way to venture an opinion on the validity of the will. It sounds like you have some potential for conflicting claims concerning the estate property and you should seek legal consultation. Sorry I can't be more specific, but your factual statements are somewhat vague. Good luck, Bryan.

Q. My great aunt passed away and my brother and I are names are on the will, we haven’t seen the will and they wanted us

26 December 2019

A: If your Great Aunt died with a will - meaning she died testate - then a copy of the will is on file with the clerk of the court. You should go to the probate clerk and ask to see a copy of the file or the will. This will allow you to read the will for yourself and determine if the "paper" is an appropriate document for you to sign. If you don't understand the process, the will, or the paper, then you need to bring a copy of the will to an attorney and obtain legal advice. Sincerely, Bryan.

Q. Can a judge in chancery div. Cook County send you down to file appearance and while gone rule in favor of plaintiff?

7 December 2019

A: A judge may ethically enter any order that the judge deems appropriate under the circumstances and matters presented to that judge. From the way you phrased your question, it sounds like the judge abused his or her discretion under the circumstances. When a judge orders you to file an appearance, that usually means that you must do it within a specified time (as reflected in the order itself) or you must do it that same day if the order says "instanter." I cannot tell from your question what happened, but if you walked out of the courtroom when the judge told you to file an appearance, you may have created an awkward situation. Whatever transpired, you should immediately file a motion to vacate whatever order was entered and explain in your motion why your leaving the courtroom was acceptable. Judges are more often than not interested in doing substantial justice for the parties. Explain to the court that it is in the interest of justice and fairness that the prior order be vacated. I hope this helps. - Bryan.