Charles R. Bernardini

Charles R. Bernardini is an equity partner in our Government and Corporate Groups. He is AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability.  Mr. Bernardini, was named in the prestigious “Law & Politics” magazine as one of Illinois' “Super Lawyers” for 2007 and 2008 and by the “Leading Lawyer Network” as a “Leading Lawyer” in 2005 - 2008.

His government practice focuses on assisting clients in dealing with city, county and state government matters, including TIF’s (tax increment financing), incentives offered by state and local governments, zoning, procurement procedures, legislative initiatives and strategy.

His transactional experience includes redevelopment agreements, state and local government economic incentive agreements, joint ventures, cross-border supply, service, manufacturing, distribution, agency and license agreements, mergers and acquisitions.

Charles served in elected office in Chicago for 12 years. He was Managing Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy (Milan) from 1992-1994 and currently is Honorary Legal Advisor to the Italian Consulate of Chicago.

His recent experience includes representing:

• Numerous industrial and commercial property owners in negotiating TIF incentives and redevelopment agreements with Chicago and suburban municipalities;
• Diverse European clients in identifying and negotiating economic incentives from state and local governments in the United States;
• A national distribution company in a successful lawsuit against a competitor, alleging theft of trade secrets;
• Several European manufacturers in defending patent infringement lawsuits in Texas and Illinois;
• A European machine tool manufacturer in a successful defense of a commercial lawsuit in Minnesota;
• A leading Japanese manufacturer, negotiating the bidding and procurement practices of the City of Chicago and related agencies;
• A leading worldwide financial institution, regarding state and local government affairs in Illinois;
• An Italian manufacturer of ceramic tiles in the merger of its U.S. subsidiaries and 401 (k) plans;
• An Italian manufacturer of construction materials in a joint venture with a U.S. investor;
• A U.S. manufacturer in structuring and negotiating its European distribution contracts, under U.S. and EU antitrust laws;
• A U.S. manufacturer in structuring and negotiating cross-licensing agreements with an Italian competitor;
• An Italian manufacturer in structuring U.S. loan portfolios and other corporate matters;
• An Italian manufacturer of auto components in the tax and corporate structuring of a manufacturing subsidiary in Michigan;
• An Italian manufacturer in negotiating and structuring of a production joint venture in Ohio that involved tax and corporate planning;
• A national transportation company in coordinating its Chicago governmental relations and zoning for the establishment of a distribution center in Chicago.
• Several national banking and insurance companies, regarding Illinois and Chicago governmental affairs counseling;
• Several U.S. investors in tax and corporate planning and negotiation of professional sports franchises in Italy;
• Maestro Andrea Bocelli in the negotiation of performance contracts and related documents in North America; and
• European bankruptcy trustees in U.S. proceedings.

Government Experience

• Alderman, 43rd Ward, City of Chicago (Elected)
• Commissioner, Cook County Board (Elected)
• Special Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for Election Fraud, Office of State’s Attorney Richard M. Daley
• Legislative Assistant to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives