Meet The Team
Brian C. Konkel, JD
Brian is a partner in the Firm’s litigation, corporate, and entertainment and sports law practice groups. Brian’s civil litigation practice covers a wide array of civil matters including commercial/business disputes, shareholder disputes, contract disputes, construction, intellectual property, and employment. As a member of the firm’s sports law practice group, Brian counsels players, coaches, teams, schools, and other athletic entities on a wide array of legal issues, including disappointment lawsuits, eligibility questions in the collegiate and high school context, drug testing and doping, recreational immunity, social media policy concerns, Olympic issues, and matters seeking injunctive relief. Brian also serves as outside general counsel to a number of entrepreneurs and businesses. In his entertainment practice, Brian counsels numerous music and art festivals, and other events on matters including contract formation and negotiation, risk management, insurance needs, and intellectual property.
Brian also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at DePaul University College of Law, where he teaches a course in sports law.
Prior to joining the Firm, Brian was with the firm SmithAmundsen LLC. Brian has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan, and a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law (Cum Laude). Brian is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, and the Defense Research Institute (DRI), Young Lawyers Committee. Brian is also a frequent columnist for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Brian has also been selected as an Emerging Lawyer in the fields of commercial litigation and arts, entertainment & sports law each year since 2018, a distinction received by less than 2% of all lawyers in Illinois.
Publications
Congratulations to our 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!
The Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars is an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 5% of attorneys in Illinois receive this distinction. Attorneys are selected through a patented selection process involving nominations, research, and peer reviews.
2024 DUGGAN BERTSCH Year End Newsletter
Dear Clients and Colleagues, As the tax year 2024 is closely coming to an end, we suggest that all our clients and colleagues consider potential year-end planning opportunities with respect to their investments, business holdings, and their overall individual wealth status with an eye towards tax planning strategies that may be available for both their […]
Timothy Liam Epstein was referenced in the WBEZ Chicago article entitled, “Pitchfork announced more VIP tiers for its 2024 festival. The internet booed.”
Timothy Liam Epstein was referenced in the WBEZ Chicago article entitled, “Pitchfork announced more VIP tiers for its 2024 festival. The internet booed” on March 19. 2024. “A shift in attitude among younger concertgoers may be stoking the demand for VIP pricing. Tim Epstein, a sports and entertainment attorney at Chicago’s Duggan Bertsch who represents […]
Congratulations to our 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!
The Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars is an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 5% of attorneys in Illinois receive this distinction. Attorneys are selected through a patented selection process involving nominations, research, and peer reviews.
Timothy Liam Epstein was featured in the Illinois College of Law Alumni Newsletter
Entrepreneurial spirit propels Epstein '04 to top of sports and entertainment field
Corporate Transparency Act – Mandatory Reporting Requirements Expected to Impact Millions of Business Entities
Background: Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) on January 1, 2021, to help prevent and combat money laundering, terrorist financing, organized crime, and other illicit activity. Effective January 1, 2024, the CTA will require most existing and newly formed corporate entities in the U.S. to file reports with the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes […]
Recent U.S. Supreme Court Case Impacts Trust Taxation
The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued its opinion on North Carolina Department of Revenue v. The Kimberley Rice Kaestner 1992 Family Trust, which addressed “….the limits of a State’s power to tax a trust.” This is the first time in decades the Supreme Court has addressed this issue, and its decision could have significant implications for […]
State and Local Tax Reminder about State Income Tax Residency
At DUGGAN BERTSCH, LLC, we are often asked by clients to explain the process by which a taxpayer can establish a “new” state residency for income tax purposes. Sometimes we are asked to explain the impact of moving to a new state altogether or about the impact of remaining in your current state of residence while […]