Hourglass Legal Consulting is a premier corporate law firm based in Highland Park, Illinois, specializing in extensive legal services, primarily in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Founded in 2013 by Tom Wippman, who brings 40 years of M&A experience to his role as president, the firm serves a diverse array of clients, including small and middle-market companies, venture capital firms, and private equity-backed enterprises across sectors like business services, manufacturing, financial services, and for-profit education. The firm excels in delivering strategic legal guidance to navigate complex transactions and regulatory environments efficiently. Its streamlined, focused approach allows Hourglass Legal to close approximately two monthly transactions, minimizing legal drama and optimizing legal expenditures.

Hourglass Legal offers a comprehensive service suite encompassing business formation, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, equity financings, and general commercial matters. Additionally, it addresses regular corporate needs such as corporate governance, contract negotiations, executive compensation, and labor and employment issues, ensuring robust support for its clients’ daily operations.

The firm is committed to helping entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies, and investors achieve success by providing top-tier, practical legal and strategic advice. Under his guidance, Tom and the team at Hourglass Legal build strong, lasting relationships with their clients, assisting them through all stages of their business endeavors to prepare and negotiate high-value deals and transactions.

Tom’s extensive background includes roles as both internal and external General Counsel for a wide range of clients, including private equity firms, independent sponsors, start-ups, and large corporations. He previously served as Managing Director and General Counsel for Sterling Partners, a private equity firm with over $5 billion in assets, where he was primarily responsible for structuring, documenting, and negotiating critical buyout and sale transactions, as well as managing follow-on investment opportunities and executive compensation and employment issues.

His expertise is leveraging best legal practices to reduce legal risks and expenses while enhancing growth opportunities. He has managed numerous operational and transactional challenges, such as handling sales representatives, vendor contracts, and product liability issues. He has guided leading entrepreneurs and companies through the startup and capitalization phases.

Tom’s career has equipped him to offer significant value in collaborative efforts with teams to uncover and maximize growth opportunities while mitigating legal risks. His experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate sales, and reorganizations, as well as his adeptness with sophisticated financial instruments like warrants, options, and convertible debt, is unmatched.

Tom earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law and an A.B. in Economics from the same university. Clients frequently laud Hourglass Legal and Tom for their hands-on, strategic approach to achieving successful outcomes, making them highly valued and trusted advisors in the corporate legal field.

Portfolio: https://hourglasslegalconsulting.com