About
Attorneys
PRACTICE AREAS
AT WORK
Leslee M. Cohen, who leads the firm's Microcap practice, advises clients in a broad range of federal and state securities law matters, including corporate governance, ethics and executive compensation issues. She has represented publicly and privately held companies in connection with mergers and acquisitions, tender offers, public offerings and private placements. She regularly drafts and files Securities Act Registration Statements (S-1, S-3, S-4, S-8); Exchange Act Reports (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, Form 10, 13D, 13G); proxy statements and constituent documents, including underwriting agreements, employment and change-in-control agreements, stock option agreements, restricted stock agreements, shareholders' rights plans, employee benefit plans, warrants, notes, opinions and press releases; as well as committee charters, codes of ethics and 10b5-1 plans.
In the corporate area, Leslee structures, negotiates and documents mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, as well as corporate restructurings. She advises clients on employment and consulting agreements, and on stockholder, limited liability company and partnership agreements. Leslee also handles a variety of other general corporate transactions.
Leslee serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Women's Initiative.
IN THE PROFESSION
Leslee is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She recently co-authored an article for Much More: The Business and Legal Quarterly titled "The Case for Gender Diversity: Why Your Business Should Hire and Promote Women." In 2006, Leslee was selected by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company as one of the "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch." She has also been recognized by the Leading Lawyers Network as a top Illinois lawyer in the areas of corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and securities and venture finance (2007-2008).
IN THE COMMUNITY
Leslee is a member of the Young Women's Committee of the Jewish United Fund. She is also Co-Chair of the Charitable Committee of the Kipling Elementary School PTO.
BACKGROUND
New York University School of Law
J.D., 1992
University of Michigan
B.A., with high distinction, 1989
Leslee is admitted to practice in Illinois and New York.
RELATED ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS
The MBE and WBE Certification Process: Why and How, MWIB Magazine (pdf)
Is Electing an Independent Board Member Right for Your Business?
Exploring the Pros and Cons
The Case for Gender Diversity: Why Your Business Should Hire and Promote Women
RELATED NEWS & PRESS RELEASES
Leslee M. Cohen Elected to Executive Committee of Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms