Holland & Knight’s Elizabeth Perdue Named Among “The Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago”

CHICAGO (August 1, 2017) – Holland & Knight Partner Elizabeth Perdue has been recognized as one of “The Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago” by Crain’s Chicago Business. She is among only 60 women lawyers in the Chicago area selected for this honor.

Crain’s notes that “For more than 30 years, Elizabeth Perdue has helped employees and owners of closely held businesses take advantage of the ESOP, or employee stock ownership plan. From the firm’s Chicago office, Perdue co-leads Holland & Knight’s ESOP team, one of the top ESOP practices in the United States. Perdue and her team have provided legal guidance to companies, trustees, selling shareholders and lenders on hundreds of ESOP transactions across the United States.”

According to Ms. Perdue, ESOPs can be an important vehicle for ownership transition of privately held businesses, providing a business owner with the opportunity to obtain liquidity, benefit employees and keep the business in the local community, with potential tax advantages for the owner, the business and the employees.

Crain’s reports that Ms. Perdue is recognized nationally for her knowledge of ESOP transactions and was a pioneer in the field of ESOP lending. She also serves on the board of Opportunity International, an international nonprofit which provides poor women with access to capital and training to build their own businesses and support their families and communities.