Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Profiles Work of Hinshaw’s Equine Law Practice

Yvonne C. Ocrant and Starr M. Rayford, attorneys in the Chicago office of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, were quoted in the article, “Attorney Puts Horse Enthusiasts on Olympic Teams,” which appeared in the July 3, 2012, issue of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. The article discusses the work of Hinshaw’s Equine Law Practice in crafting the syndications behind two horses, which will allow the horses and their riders to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Ms. Ocrant and Ms. Rayford, along with Hinshaw attorney Tim Sullivan, handled the syndications.

Ms. Ocrant's equine law experience includes handling litigation involving the Equine Activity Liability Act and various other state and federal laws. She assists individual horse owners; trainers; breeders; riding, boarding and training facilities; veterinarians and other entities in the equine industry litigate and resolve claims for personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation and other legal issues. She drafts contracts for horse purchases, sales, leases and commission arrangements, and creates equine liability releases for boarding and training facilities, trainers, transporters and other individuals and entities sponsoring or participating in equine activities.

Ms. Rayford focuses her practice in the areas of commercial litigation and the defense of health care professionals and hospitals, as well as workers’ compensation defense. She also handles transactional matters. Through her equine practice she drafts contracts for horse purchases, sales, leases and commission arrangements, and creates equine liability releases. In addition, she is well versed in equine syndication and has created a number of syndicates to aid in the development of support of competitive horses and riders.

Mr. Sullivan is an experienced transactional lawyer. He has orchestrated a number of mergers and acquisitions, handling all aspects of compliance with federal and state securities laws and regulations, and issues relating to ERISA, tax, labor and environmental matters. Mr. Sullivan also provides general advice to publicly traded corporations regarding the applicability of federal and state securities laws and helps them comply with various federal and state securities regulations. Mr. Sullivan’s counsel reflects his extensive knowledge of Securities and Exchange Commission requirements and their application to annual reports, Form 10-K, proxy statements, private placement memoranda, and executive stock appreciation and restricted stock compensation plans. He also advises clients on insider trading restrictions, insider trading reporting and related issues under Section 16(b) and Rules 144 and 145. Finally, Mr. Sullivan has served as issuer's and underwriter's counsel in various public offerings and private placements of securities.

Access the full article, “Attorney Puts Horse Enthusiasts on Olympic Teams.”