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Manish C. Bhatia
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Manish C. Bhatia
Strauss & Malk LLP
135 Revere Drive
Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (847) 562-1400 | Fax: (847) 562-1422
http://www.mcb-law.com
Estate Planning and Asset Management
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Sub-Categories
Wills, Trusts & Estates
- Nolo Document Review
- Charitable Giving
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Asset Protection
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
IL, Nov 2004
Bar Number: 197950
Other Court Admissions
Illinois State Courts.
Association Memberships
Continuing Education
I attend CLE seminars on estate planning, elder law, asset protection and professional responsibility. I also hope to teach seminars in the future.
Example Cases
Estate planning for divided families, family settlement agreements arising out of the death of a loved one and the settlement of the estate, income and estate tax disputes with the IRS.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
School:
City:
Chicago
State:
IL
Year:
2004
Honors:
Cali Award (Business Planning)
Focus and Accomplishments:
Tax Certificate
Number of Attorneys
14
State Licensed In
Illinois
Firm Focus and History
Strauss & Malk LLP was created in 1994 by Arnie Malk and Ben Strauss, with a commitment to our clients to provide top quality legal services, in specific areas of practice. We are now fourteen attorneys and ten legal assistants and we provide legal services to our clients in a variety of areas. We are an efficiently structured firm of experienced attorneys, with state of the art computer technology and electronic library services. We take pride in delivering prompt and cost-effective services to our clients.
Previous Employment Summary
I was a Writer/Analyst at CCH, Inc., a global publisher of tax and accounting law and analysis. I then began practicing with the firm of Denkewalter & Angelo on January 1, 2008 as an estate and business succession planning attorney. I then joined Strauss & Malk LLP, a larger firm specializing in sophisticated estate planning, in May of 2009.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
It is beneficial for the client to have at least some background knowledge on the issue being confronted. However, clients should be aware that articles that they may find online are usually filled with generalizations and that each particular situation is likely to have significant variations that will affect the result. An attorney should help the client understand the intricacies of his or her situation and provide the options so that the client can make a fully-informed decision. NOLO is a terrific resource for preliminary information about any legal topic prior to contacting a qualified attorney.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
While we do not encourage clients to prepare their own documents due to the many details that may seem minor, we are willing to review such documents and provide feedback at our hourly rate. We will also review documents prepared by other attorneys at no charge to the client and provide feedback as to whether the existing documents are proper and sufficient for the client.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
We do not encourage clients to represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
The legal realm, particularly those areas involving taxes, can be overwhelming for individuals. I wanted to become a lawyer so that I could understand the intricacies of the system and help those who want to work hard and have something to show for it.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
A large part of being a good lawyer is listening to your client and serving his or her needs rather than your own. I have always tried to attack a problem head on and I find that being straightforward with people is the best way to achieve that goal. Nobody wants to think about losing loved ones and nobody wants to pay taxes, but as counsel, my goal is to help clients prepare for both.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Estate planning is not what most people think of when they think of a lawyer. No estate planning attorney is going to be the centerpiece of a Hollywood blockbuster or TV show. However, it is an area of the law that can provide significant peace of mind to clients and their loved ones. Our goal is to help you, rather than the State or Federal governments, decide how you want your assets to provide for your loved ones and to make sure you are able to keep as much of the assets you have worked for as possible.
What do you like best about your career?
Helping people. Estate planning is an uncomfortable topic for a person to discuss, but I find that clients are very much at peace and genuinely relieved after they have established a plan for their assets.
Tell us about your law firm:
We are a 14-attorney firm providing legal services in many areas, with several attorneys specializing in sophisticated estate planning. All of our attorneys and staff share a common goal: to give each client our full attention and to deliver service that not only provides results, but peace of mind as well.
What are your strengths and style?
I take great pride in my work and to everything in my power to ensure that each client is comfortable with the information I provide. I provide straightforward answers realize that even the most basic question can keep a client up at night if the attorney fails to answer it. I welcome every question and concern that a client may have because I want them to be at peace with what we provide.
Personal Interests:
I am an avid follower of world news and politics, as well as my favorite sports teams: the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls. I also have a large extended family in the Chicagoland area, including my parents and two older brothers.
Fax
(847) 562-1422
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Yes, I speak Hindi.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
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Hourly Rates
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Free Initial Consultation?
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Typical Retainer
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Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
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