Derek Usman, Attorney and Certified Public Accountant

Derek Usman

Derek Usman is founder and managing principal of Usman Law Group, P.C. in Chicago, Illinois. As a lawyer and CPA, Derek also provides general counseling and risk management advice to businesses. Derek currently serves as outside general counsel to multiple companies. In that role, Derek helps businesses evaluate legal and tax issues as they arise, prepares businesses to minimize their liability in the future, and provides business and tax planning advice.

A significant portion of Derek’s practice also consists of business litigation, representing corporate clients in commercial disputes. Derek handles all aspects of such disputes, including initial investigations, settlement negotiations, alternate dispute resolution, motion practice, and trial.

In addition to his private practice, Derek is Of Counsel to Robert J. Semrad & Associates, LLC, where he is in charge of the Tax Practice Group. The Tax Practice Group counsels businesses and represents individuals on their tax controversies.

Before entering private practice, Derek had significant tenures at several Fortune 500 companies while earning his undergraduate degree at Indiana University (IPFW) – Fort Wayne. After graduating with a B.S. in Business in 1997, Derek enrolled at the Northern Illinois University College of Law and received his J.D. in 2001. He then joined the Controller’s Office at Illinois Institute of Technology and earned the LL.M. Taxation degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law (IIT) in 2005. Derek is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois.

Derek recently served on the Board of Directors for the non-profit organizations Apna Ghar and L’Arche. Additionally, Derek frequently volunteers at the Midwest Tax Clinic and St. Patrick’s Residence. In addition, Derek is an active member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity’s Chicago Alumni Chapter. He also maintains memberships with the Chicago Bar and Illinois State Bar Associations. In particular, Derek is on the Corporate, Securities and Business Law Section Council and Federal Taxation Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Derek is admitted to practice before the bars of Illinois, United States Tax Court and United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

OF COUNSEL
Gene K. Edlin — Member, Illinois Bar