Partner

Rita W. Garry is a partner in the Chicago, IL office of SmithAmundsen and a member of the firm’s Corporate & Business Services, Real Estate, and Estate & Business Planning Practice Groups. Rita’s legal career and practice are focused on business law and transactions, encompassing the following: corporate law/corporate governance; entity law; mergers, acquisitions, business divestitures and succession planning; stakeholder relations and agreements; intellectual property protection and licensing; commercial contracts, secured transactions and corporate finance; real estate and land use; family and closely held companies; and joint ventures and strategic alliance agreements.

Prior to joining SmithAmundsen, Rita founded and served as the managing partner of The Garry Law Firm in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she served as outside general counsel to many emerging and middle market businesses navigating business entity design decisions, a wide array of commercial and operational contract matters, and stock/asset business sales, acquisitions, mergers, and other restructuring transactions.

Rita’s experience also includes interning at the Securities and Exchange Commission and subsequent Regulation D securities offerings knowledge. In 1991, Rita became a Certified Financial Planner® and uses both her securities and finance backgrounds to assist business owners in strategic exit and succession planning projects and transactions.

Outside of the office, Rita has taught and presented on business law and estate tax topics at McHenry County College and the National Business Institute. She held a leader role and board position for seven years working with Chicago’s Metropolitan Family Services organization’s Camp Algonquin program in Cary, IL. Rita is the recipient of the McHenry County Association of REALTORS® President’s Award and the Women in Management Award for Licensed Professional.