Rusty Freeland's background as both an attorney and a certified public accountant allows him to offer a unique combination of skills to the clients of Meyer Capel.

Since joining the firm in 1986, Rusty has handled many large and complicated business transactions. He often works with entrepreneurs in selecting the best form and capital structure for their businesses. In recent years, Rusty has worked with some of the leading companies in the corn seed and plant biotech industries on license agreements and business acquisitions.

Rusty received his juris doctorate from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. He continued his formal legal education by completing classes in Washington University's graduate tax program. In addition, Rusty holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Illinois and earned his C.P.A. designation in May 1980.

From 1980-82, Rusty worked as an accountant with a public accounting firm in Champaign. While studying law at Washington University, he served as a law clerk with the St. Louis appeals office of the Internal Revenue Service.

Following law school, Rusty Freeland was an associate attorney with a 45-person firm in St. Louis where he concentrated on tax and corporate law and estate planning.

Rusty Freeland is a member of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association. He also is a member of the Missouri and Illinois State, and Champaign County Bar Associations. Rusty also belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois C.P.A. Society. Rusty is active in several local civic organizations. He has served as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Champaign County Historical Museum, the Champaign Public Library and the Champaign Public Library Foundation.

He and his wife, Jill, also a University of Illinois graduate, reside in Champaign. They have two sons, Samuel and Harrison.