Jerry Holisky is a seasoned business lawyer who concentrates his practice on the legal concerns of closely held companies and their owners. He functions as outside general counsel for many businesses, serving as their principal legal adviser and initial point of contact at Aronberg Goldgehn. He and his experienced team of business lawyers are well-positioned to provide any size company with the full range of legal services required during the life cycle of a business enterprise.

Jerry has extensive experience in business formations, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities, corporate finance, and a wide range of commercial agreements. He also advises clients on structuring complex business relationships, including joint ventures. 

In addition, Jerry’s practice includes a concentration in ownership and management disputes – sometimes called “corporate divorce.” In a wide range of contested transactions over the past 25 years, he has represented majority owners and management as well as employees and individuals holding a minority interest in the enterprise. Having analyzed these disputes from both sides, Jerry strongly believes that the best result is nearly always a transactional solution that preserves and maximizes the value of the business enterprise. As a result, Jerry frequently structures, negotiates and closes transactions designed to resolve complex ownership disputes. The firm’s motto Practice Made Personal® is of special significance in this area of his practice because it is only by first taking the time to know his client’s business, and then aggressively fighting for their interests 24/7, that he is able to forge positive results in these matters.

Jerry is experienced in all aspects of practice under the Illinois Business Corporation Act, the Delaware General Corporation Law, the limited liability company and partnership acts of both states, and the Uniform Commercial Code.

SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS

Panelist, “Business Divorce: An Approach for a Dissolution Between Business Owning Spouses and other Owners,” IICLE Business Valuation, Financial & Tax Issues in Divorce 2024, January 2024

Presenter, “Dispute Resolution in the M&A Context,” Chicago Bar Association Negotiation and Mediation Skills in Mergers and Acquisitions Cases, August 2023

Panelist, “Ethical Issues Involving Remote Working: What to Be On the Lookout For,” Chicago Bar Association Business Divorce Committee Webinar, January 2023

Co-author, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin article on business divorce issues, May 2021

Co-author, “Governance Issues,” Chapter 1 in “Disputes Involving Closely Held Companies 2020 Edition,” published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2020

In addition, Jerry is a member of the Institute of Illinois Business Law, originally formed by the Illinois Secretary of State to review the business statutes administered by that office. Through the Institute, he participates in the collaborative process of drafting legislative proposals for the revision of Illinois' business entity laws.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Prior to entering law school, Jerry spent several years running his own business in Minneapolis. After obtaining his law degree, he joined the Chicago law firm of McBride Baker & Coles, where he practiced for 20 years. He joined Aronberg Goldgehn in July 2010 from Holland & Knight, a national firm that acquired McBride Baker in 2003. 

Jerry served the firm as a Co-Managing Member from 2015 - 2022, and served as member and Co-Chair of the Executive Management Committee from 2022 - 2023.

Since 2020, Jerry has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. He has also been recognized annually since 2015 as a Leading Lawyer in Closely & Privately Held Business Law by Illinois Leading Lawyers.

Jerry was raised in a small town in Northern Minnesota. Since moving to Illinois in 1986, he has been a stubbornly loyal resident of Waukegan, but he has successfully brainwashed his two children to be fiercely loyal Minnesota sports fans. In his spare time Jerry ... tries to figure out how he can find more spare time.

LEADERSHIP ROLES 

  • Executive Management Committee Member, Aronberg Goldgehn (2022- 2023)
  • Co-Managing Member, Aronberg Goldgehn (2015 - 2022)
  • Chicago Bar Association’s Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Disputes Committee, Co-Founder and Co-Chair 

RELATED NEWS



The John Marshall Law School, J.D., with High Distinction, 1989
Executive Editor for Student Publications, The John Marshall Law Review

University of Minnesota



BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS

  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Chicago Bar Association’s Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Disputes Committee, Co-Founder and Co-Chair
  • Institute of Illinois Business Law
  • American Bar Association
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Lake County Bar Association


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  • The Best Lawyers in America for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law (2020)
  • Illinois Leading Lawyer in Closely & Privately Held Business Law (2015-2021)
  • Named Affiliate Member of the Year by the Chicago Association of REALTORS (2010)

PERSONAL

What is your favorite thing about working at Aronberg Goldgehn? Our fabulous new penthouse suite location – and my short two-block walk to the train!

What would you be doing if you weren’t a lawyer? Operating movie theaters in my home state of Minnesota. That was my career before going to law school.