H. Richard Hagen

Joliet, Illinois
Associate
phone (815) 726-4311
fax (815) 726-6828
email Richard

H. Richard Hagen is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, receiving his juris doctor degree with honors. Mr. Hagen received several academic awards during law school, including the J. Nelson Young Award, awarded to the most outstanding tax student. He received his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of St. Francis in Joliet with highest honors. Mr. Hagen was awarded the highest honor bestowed upon a student at USF, the Student Laureate Award from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois for most outstanding senior at a university. Also, he was voted by the faculty to present the 1990 class speech at graduation.

Mr. Hagen's practice focuses on family business planning, estate planning, probate, banking, corporate-business law, commercial and residential real estate, and business litigation. Mr. Hagen has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1991 and practiced in a public accounting firm for several years before becoming a lawyer. He utilizes his extensive experience as a CPA for every client he serves, whether it be in navigating the complex area of estate taxation or in preparing banking, corporate or real estate documents.

Prior to joining Spesia & Ayers, Mr. Hagen practiced in Chicago with one of the largest, multinational law firms in the world. He handled a wide variety of transactions, including multimillion dollar corporate acquisitions and divestitures for a fortune 500 company and the reorganization of over 15 subsidiaries in connection with a multibillion dollar merger of two leading real estate investment trusts. In addition, Mr. Hagen has significant structured finance experience serving as lead counsel to several financial institutions, borrowers and investment bankers.

Mr. Hagen's corporate experience includes general representation of business organizations, including large publicly held and closely held entities. Mr. Hagen has advised numerous business clients on form of organization, effects of corporate action and other corporate matters, such as securities regulation. He also has experience in organizing most forms of business entities, including drafting charter documents for corporations, LLC's and partnerships.

Mr. Hagen is a long standing executive member of the University of St. Francis Alumni Board, serving as its president from 2007-2009 and on the University of St. Francis Board of Trustees during that period. He is an executive member and founder of the Business Alumni Network at the University of St. Francis, the treasurer of the New Lenox Soccer Association, a member of his church choir and a musician with the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra.

Select Corporate Transactions Include:

• Represented multibillion dollar publicly held communications company in its merger with an international software company and various asset dispositions in the U.S.


• Represented international public accounting firm in its disposition of several U.S. offices.


• Represented leading real estate investment trust in its merger with another leading real estate investment trust with a combined net market capitalization of over $7 billion.


• Represented closely held industrial fastener company in numerous acquisitions of other fastener companies.


• Represented gas and oil company in numerous debt offerings totaling $1.5 billion.


• Represented investment banking firm in its structuring of debt offerings for an international food manufacturing company totaling $350 million.


• Represented internationally recognized U.S. railroad company in debt offerings totaling $550 million.


• Represented international manufacturing company in the reorganization of several of its U.S. subsidiary companies.

Articles & Publications:

• IRS Provides Guidance Regarding The New Housing Legislation
  (Real Estate Finance - Volume 25, Number 4, December 2008 (Aspen Publishers))


• Congress Approves Significant Housing Legislation - Highlights of Provisions Beneficial to Housing Bond Issuers
  (Fall Edition of TALHFA Talk (Texas Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies))


• Auction Rate Securities: SEC Releases Guidance on Issuer and Conduit Borrower Bidding in Auctions of Own Securities
  (National Public Finance Bulletin)


• Sell! Sell! Sell! Buy! Buy! Buy! - Auction Rate Securities in the Marketplace
  (National Public Finance Bulletin)

Areas of Practice:
   Family Business Planning
   Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning
   Estate and Trust Administration (including Probate)
   Banking
   Business Law and Litigation
   Commercial, Industrial and Residential Development - Real Estate
   Employment Law

Bar Admissions:
   Illinois, 1997

Education:
   University of Illinois College of Law, 1997 - Juris Doctor, with honors
   University of St. Francis, 1991 - B.B.A. in Accounting, summa cum laude

Honors and Awards:
   High School Valedictorian Scholarship - University of St. Francis
   Student Laureate Award - University of St. Francis
   J. Nelson Young Award - University of Illinois College of Law

Certifications:
   Certified Public Accountant, 1991

Professional Associations and Memberships:
   American Bar Association
   American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Past Employment Positions:
   Chapman and Cutler LLP - Partner (Finance Group), 1998-2000; 2004-2009
   Mayer Brown, 2000-2004