Brian E. Less | Attorney

            Brian comes from a diverse background, which adds significant insight into his role as an attorney in business and personal matters.  After receiving his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Illinois, Brian spent much of his life in the business world, successfully launching and operating two large corporations.  Brian's main areas of practice include Civil Litigation, Municipal Law, Fertility Law, Family Law, Probate, and DWI/OWI.

            Since joining the firm as a partner in 2001, the launching of a Fertility Law practice has been a main focus of his time and efforts.  An accomplished speaker, Brian has run several seminars on the application for fertility Laws in the State of Indiana, most recently in January 2002.  Topics included Cryopreservation Agreements between couples, Surrogacy Contracts, and the application of Social Security survivor's benefits and Spousal benefits when children are born greater than 9 months after the death of a parent.  Brian's personal background concerning fertility issues prior to the birth of his daughter in 1994, gave rise to an intense interest in Fertility Law and its application to help those including divorce, child support, custody, and all other aspects of family law.

Education:

Valparaiso University School of Law, Indiana
Juris Doctor, 1999

University of Illinois, Graduate School of Management,Champaign
Masters of Business Administration, with honors, 1987

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Bachelors of Science, Marketing, 1985

Experience: 

March 2001 - Current
Partner/Attorney; Petry, Fitzgerald & Less, Hebron, Indiana
A general practice firm with emphasis on business and municipal law

August 1999 - March 2001
Attorney; Levy & Dubovich, Highland, Indiana
Firm specializes in family law with general practice applications

Spring 1999
Lake County, Indiana Circuit Court Extern:
Judge Arredondo, Magistrate Miller, and Probate Commissioner Ivancevich

Summer 1998
Federal Judicial Extern:
Judge Lozano at Federal District Court in Hammond, Indiana

Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1999
TELEMARKETING, Inc. Tinley Park, Illinois
President/CEO Chicago Telemarketing, Inc., is an inside marketing firm concentrating on telecommunications products and services.

-          Founded company in 1991.  Secured financial commitments throughout the introductory and growth phases of the corporation.  Coordinated all aspects of business administration, with hands on experience in sales, accounting, cashflow, accounts receivable/payable, and overall company direction.

 -          Initiated expansion into Sales, Lead Generation, and Technology projects.  Worked daily with Ameritech as well as Long distance companies to provide telephone-related products and services to their customers.

-          Projects included 800 Service, Inside Wire Maintenance Plans, Long Distance, Complementary 800 Service, Advanced Custom Calling, Centrex, and long term account stabilization.  Average success versus plan of 112% over 7 years.

Oct. 1994 - Sept. 1985
NATIONAL VOICE & DATA, Inc. Burr Ridge, Illinois
President/Senior Partner National Voice & Data, Inc. is a non-retail, cellular provider working as an Agent of Ameritech Cellular.  The company focuses on major business accounts and uses inside and outside sales forces to achieve sales and profitability goals.

-          Instrumental in all aspects of corporate launch, including; product and financial planning, performance and sales direction, business plan writing, and securing financial commitments.

-          Performed all functions necessary to launch, advertise, hire, motivate and see a company successfully through its first phase of operations.  Company became a top 10 cellular provider within 8 months of launch.

-          Prepared Business Plan to be used for securing additional financial commitments.  Outlined strategies for mid-range planning and future growth, including pro-forma statements and financial requirements through the year 2000.

-         Shares purchased through exit strategy at $3 Million in Sales

June 1987 - Jan 1991
AMERITECH SERVICES/ILLINOIS BELL TELEPHONE, Hoffman Estates, IL

June 1989 - Jan 1991
Production Manager 800/Remote Call Forwarding responsible for all revenue and sales objectives for $40 Million product line.

-          Coordinated the Tariff changes to 800 Service in Illinois, lowering the installation charges, as an individual price element, below cost to eliminate a barrier to entry for consumers.  Directed negotiations with Citizens Utility Boards and Public Utility Commission to help support changing element pricing to product pricing in a competitive marketplace.  Documented results showed increased sales of 50%.

-           Managed the marketing campaign for 312/708 area code split as it related to complementary product lines resulting in 60% increase in sales of those products. 

June 1987- June 1988
Product Manager Voice Messaging, Local Public Opinion Polling, Connections Party Line Responsible for all revenue, sales objectives and new product development.

-          Filed the Voice Messaging tariff in Illinois with ICC.  Coordinated all regulatory agency and internal approval for new product launch.

-          Filed the Public Opinion Polling Tariff in Illinois with ICC.  Coordinated all product testing and technology cutovers necessary for successful product launch.

-    Responsible for eliminating Connections Party Line as an Ameritech product.  Coordinated change from provider status to billing only status with ICC, resulting in a 20 times increase in profitability to Ameritech, while taking Ameritech out of a product with a poor public reputation.