Hourglass Legal

Hourglass Legal Consulting, a firm entrenched in corporate law, provides in-depth legal services, mainly in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Founded by Tom Wippman in 2013 and based in Highland Park, Illinois, it caters to a varied clientele, including small and middle-market companies, venture capital clients, and private equity-backed firms from industries like business services, manufacturing, financial services, and for-profit education.

The firm excels in offering strategic legal guidance, helping clients manage and navigate complex transactions and regulatory frameworks efficiently. This guidance is delivered through a focused, low-overhead model that ensures expedient and drama-free resolutions, achieving roughly two monthly transaction closures.

Hourglass Legal’s proficiency spans various sectors such as business formation, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, equity financings, and general commercial issues. Moreover, it extends to daily corporate needs like corporate governance, contract negotiations, executive compensation, and labor and employment matters. It aims to propel entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies, and investors toward success with practical, high-quality legal and strategic advice.

He and his team focus on building and maintaining strong, professional relationships with their clients, supporting them through every stage of their transactions to secure high-value outcomes effectively.

His professional path includes significant roles as internal and external General Counsel for diverse entities, including private equity firms, independent sponsors, startups, and established corporations. Notably, he was the Managing Director and General Counsel for Sterling Partners, a private equity firm overseeing assets worth over $5 billion, where he was chiefly responsible for orchestrating, documenting, and negotiating critical buyouts and sales.

His broad expertise is instrumental in reducing legal risks and costs while optimizing growth through the strategic application of best legal practices. His operational experience covers managing sales teams, negotiating vendor contracts, and tackling product liability issues, significantly aiding entrepreneurs and high-growth entities in navigating startup phases and capitalization.