John C. Sciaccotta has more than 35 years of trial and litigation experience advocating for clients in complex civil litigation, arbitration, mediation and business counseling matters with a special emphasis on complex civil trial and appellate cases brought in federal and state courts and tribunals throughout the United States.

John represents publicly and privately held domestic and foreign business entities, lenders, employers, municipalities, government bodies and individuals in transactional matters and disputes, which include:

  • Counseling and advocating for business entities and their owners in disputes involving Business Divorce issues, including corporate control, valuation, corporate squeeze-outs, minority oppression, dissolution actions and breaches of fiduciary duty and business tort claims.

  • Interpretation of and litigation involving complex commercial contracts in construction negligence, commercial real estate, title insurance and mechanic's lien matters.

  • Advocating for various business entities and individuals in trade secret misappropriation and other unfair competition disputes.

  • Pursuing creditor claims in bankruptcy proceedings, including prosecuting and defending adversary claims.

  • Counseling and representing municipalities and property owners in zoning and land use controversies, as well as construction defect related disputes.

  • Prosecuting and defending insurance brokers, real estate brokers, engineers, architects and accountants involving professional negligence, breach of fiduciary and fraud claims.

  • Investigating business frauds perpetrated by employees and third parties with the ultimate recovery of substantial sums of money.

  • Litigating probate related matters involving guardianships, breach of probate fiduciary duties, will and trust construction and contests.

  • Defending Fortune 100 company employees in employment related discrimination claims.

John has substantial experience representing real estate owners/developers, business owners in a wide array of industries, professional service organizations, partnerships, limited liability companies, manufacturing, construction, technology, professional sales companies, municipalities, hedge funds and broker/dealers, governmental bodies, banks and lending institutions. He has significant experience working with professional sports leagues, owners and players, including representing the Arena Football League, its individual teams and owners for many years.

In addition, John has been appointed as a Neutral Arbitrator and Mediator for many years to resolve and arbitrate business related disputes. He serves on the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Arbitrators.

John is active in firm leadership. He serves on the firm's Executive Management Committee, and is the founder and co-chair of the firm's Business Divorce practice group, the chair of the Commercial Litigation marketing group, a founding member of the firm's DEI Committee, and co-chair of the firm's Marketing Committee.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Successfully represented an heir of an Estate to block the sale of the Estate’s interest in a closely held business that was to be sold for a devalued purchase price. John obtained an emergency Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”), stopping the sale. The TRO was affirmed by the Appellate Court. John’s legal theories that stopped the sale resulted in the heir becoming the majority and controlling owner of the business.

  • Successfully represented numerous minority and majority shareholders in contentious business divorce matters, obtaining very favorable resolutions and buy-outs/purchases without the need to pursue litigation.

  • Succesfully litigated and negotiated in Arbitration a favorable settlement in a bitter family dispute concerning the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty relating to the removal of a trustee for willful behavior including self-dealing.

  • Successfully represented a business executive against an employer in a hotly-contested compensation contract dispute over a bonus entitlement.

  • Adjudicated a number of arbitration disputes for manufacturing, technology and other business clients involving alleged non-competition covenant breaches and other sophisticated commercial disputes.

  • Defended clients in a subpoena for records dispute involving a disabled person’s estate alleging fraud and undue influence.

  • Successfully represented a number of homeowners by obtaining a unanimous denial from the village Plan Commission for a rezoning application for large real estate development proposed to be built adjacent to their residential neighborhood.

  • Successfully obtained a favorable determination that a business owner was not a responsible person for Federal and State trust fund withholding taxes not remitted by a business partner.

  • Successfully prevented the closure of a business alleged to have violated county real estate zoning ordinances, allowing the business to continue operating.

  • Served as sole Arbitrator in a several-day hearing in a complex sports-related interpretation of a disputed contractual royalty provision.

  • Obtained a favorable resolution and settlement of a hotly-contested litigation matter involving a minority owner who had previously sold a business interest and was the subject of claims of breach of fiduciary duty and civil conspiracy claims.

  • Successfully negotiated a fair and reasonable settlement and buy-out of a business owner who was a 50/50 owner of a closely held business, without the need for costly and protracted litigation.

  • Favorably represented, negotiated and defended a settlement and resolution for a law firm partner in an acrimonious law firm separation.

  • Favorably represented a physician in the acquisition of a medical practice and in defending alleged post-closing breach of contract claims.

  • Successfully represented a business owner in defending breach of fiduciary duty, business dissolution and other business tort claims in an acrimonious contested litigation matter.

  • Successfully prosecuted and negotiated a favorable buyout of a founder of a technology company in a bitter and acrimonious business divorce

  • Successfully defended a professional services firm in a substantial post judgment collection proceeding

  • Successfully represented and obtained a favorable settlement in arbitration on behalf of a publically traded business entity in a dispute involving the contractual obligations for the sale and purchase of heavy duty construction equipment.

  • Represented and counseled business owners in the asset sale of a closely held business entity to a publically traded business entity. As part of the business sale, John was able to thwart and defend a significant threat of litigation involving the alleged misappropriation of trade secrets by the sellers that would have prevented the sale of the business.

  • Represented the largest Japanese Hotel owner/operator, with 242 hotels under its marquee, in negotiating and securing City of Chicago approvals and property re-zoning necessary for the construction of a 23-story, 615 room hotel in Chicago. The client intends to develop numerous hotels in the United States.

  • Secured a favorable outcome on behalf of a lender under a title insurance policy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court pursuant to fraud and equitable subordination and subrogation theories.

  • Represented and obtained a significant settlement on behalf of a professional sports league in a lawsuit involving insurance broker fraud and negligence in the procurement of worker’s compensation insurance.

  • Represented and secured a favorable settlement for three entrepreneur-inventors in a lawsuit involving alleged trade secret misappropriation and breach of fiduciary duty related to a patented device.

  • Obtained a multimillion-dollar judgment in a fraud investigation involving the embezzlement of a closely held business and reported the investigation results to federal authorities, resulting in the ultimate filing of a federal indictment.

  • Successfully defended a business entity and its owner in a breach of contract and shareholder control/dispute litigation.

  • Successfully defended various business entities and their owners against fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy allegations involving the alleged fraudulent inducement of an investment transaction and the recovery of the investment funds.

  • Represented and secured a favorable defense and settlement of a trustee and co-guardian of a trust and a disabled person in an action to remove said trustee and co-guardian based upon allegations of fraud and breaches of fiduciary duties.

  • Successfully represented high level senior technology employees and their new employer against covenant not to compete, unfair competition, non-solicitation and trade secret misappropriation claims.

  • Defended corporate business clients against the City of Chicago for municipal code violation and demolition claims.

  • Represented a client, favorably, in a fee petition (fee-shifting) dispute and controversy.

  • Negotiated favorable operating agreement terms and conditions in a new start up technology company.

  • Arbitrated several matters, including a high stakes law firm partnership dispute

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

John joined Aronberg Goldgehn in April 2015 from Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. He practiced at its Chicago office predecessor firm, Shefsky & Froelich, for 15 years. Since 2022, John has served the firm as a member of the Executive Management Committee. In this role, he focuses on specific management tasks including firm policy-making, strategic planning, and culture and relationship building.

He has been awarded an AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability. Also among his accolades, since 2007 John has been recognized annually as a Leading Lawyer in Commercial Litigation by Illinois Leading Lawyers. He has also been named a Super Lawyer in Business Litigation by Illinois Super Lawyers.

John has also successfully completed the highly prestigious Harvard Law School Executive Education Course on Negotiation and Leadership.

SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS

John has co-authored four chapters in “Disputes Involving Closely Held Companies 2023 Edition,” as well as the prior 2020 edition. Published in Feb. 2020 and updated in September 2023 by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, it is the essential guide for Illinois attorneys who represent closely held corporations, partnerships or LLCs. John's chapters are:

  • “Governance Issues” (Chapter 1)
  • “Personal Liability in Closely Held Entities” (Chapter 2)
  • “Minority Stakeholder Rights” (Chapter 4)
  • “Valuation” (Chapter 6)

He also recently co-authored “Weighing Options When A Company Rejects a Books, Records Request," Business Divorce column published by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, May 13, 2021, as well as "Easing the Path Toward an Involuntary Law Firm Break-Up," published in the CBA Record  in the September/October 2020 edition. 

Some of his recent presentations and publications have included:

  • Co-Presenter, "Defamation Claims in Business Divorces: Tips and Traps," The Chicago Bar Association Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Disputes Practice Committee, February 13, 2024
  • Co-Moderator and Organizer, "Chancery Judges Roundtable: Books & Records Demands, Direct v. Derivative Actions, Motions to Stay/ Compel Arbitration & Best Practices for Using Expert Valuation Testimony," The Chicago Bar Association, January 9, 2024
  • Panelist, “Legal Rainmakers: War Stories from Top Legal Rainmakers,” Thomson Reuters Legal EDCenter & Financial Poise, December 15, 2023
  • Panelist, “Business Valuation in Litigation: 10 Things You Need to Know," The American Law Institute, November 29, 2023
  • Moderator and Panelist, "Judges and General Counsel Discuss the New Time Standards for Illinois Trial Courts and the Effective Use of Court-Appointed Neutrals to Assist the Court," The Chicago Bar Association seminar, June 8, 2023 
  • The Chicago Bar Association Trial Academy, Faculty Member, Panelist, Demonstrator, Mock Judge and Trial Coach, June 1, 2023
  • Panelist, “Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Operating Agreement Disputes; Tips When Starting Your Own Law Firm,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin & Law Bulletin Publishing & Media Company Ethics 2023 Seminar, Trouble in Paradise: When Law Firm Operations Fail Program, May 31, 2023
  • Panelist, "Advanced Business Development Strategies: The Secrets to Becoming a Rainmaker & Four Habits of Highly Successful Rainmakers," The Chicago Bar Association Leadership Institute, May 24, 2023
  • Panelist, "Legal Ethics in the U.S. and Ireland," The Chicago Bar Association Continuing Legal Education program, Dublin, Ireland, April 17, 2023
  • Panelist and Moderator, "Preview and Highlights of Business Divorce Court Cases Covered in the ABA Business & Corporate Litigation Annual Update," The Chicago Bar Association Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Disputes Committee, April 11, 2023
  • Presenter, "The Anatomy of a Recent Business Divorce Trial on How to Successfully Defeat Minority Oppression Claims in the Case in the Case of Leprino v. Leprino Foods," Chicago Bar Association, February 2023
  • Presenter, "The Art of The Graceful Business Divorce," The DuPage County Bar Association, Illinois, February 2023
  • Presenter, “Valuation of Closely Held Businesses,” The American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education, Dec. 12, 2022 
  • Panelist, “Mediation Tips & The Arbitration Program in The Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois,” North Suburban (IL) Bar Association, November 29, 2022
  • Organizer and Moderator, "The Forensic Way…Deploying Digital Forensics & Forensic Accounting in Business Divorces,” The Chicago Bar Association, November 8, 2022
  • Moderator, “Delaware Law Update: Structuring an Amicable Business Divorce That Doesn’t Harm the Children,” The Chicago Bar Association, October 11, 2022
  • Moderator, "Best Practices When Seeking Emergency Equitable Relief; What Works Effectively When Seeking (and Defending) a TRO and Preliminary Injunctive Relief,” The Chicago Bar Association, September 13, 2022
  • Presenter, "Shareholder Disputes Amongst Lawyers: What You Need to Know to Leave the Right Way,” Decalogue Society of Lawyers, August 25, 2022
  • Panelist and Guest Presenter, "One & Done: 6 Hours of Professional Responsibility Overview”, Chicago Bar Association, June 8, 2022
  • Moderator, “The Art of Cross Examination”, Chicago Bar Association, May 10, 2022
  • Moderator, Infrastructure Funds - Priorities for Illinois: A Conversation with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Chicago Bar Association, May 6, 2022
  • Presenter, “Negotiation, Mediation & Advocacy Skills Workshop” Chicago Bar Association, April 22, 2022
  • Moderator, “Selecting the Right Valuation Expert” Financial Poise Webinars, April 13, 2022
  • Trial Symposium Part 3- “The Art of Direct Examination in a Bench Trial” Chicago Bar Association, April 12, 2022
  • Moderator, Chicago Bar Association Civics Committee Leadership Speaker Series inaugural event featuring Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke on Judicial Redistricting and Statewide Pretrial Services, November 30, 2021
  • Presenter, “Like A Boss: Establishing and Building Your Professional Network,” DuPage County Bar Association, November 4, 2021
  • Panelist, “Business Divorce Podcast Episode 1: It’s Definitely You…Not Me…,” American Bar Association, October 15, 2021
  • Lessons Learned from a Legal Business Developer,” “Be That Lawyer” Podcast, Fretzin, Inc., September 16, 2021
  • Co-Panelist, “Starting a Law Practice (or Making Yours Better),” Illinois State Bar Association, September 14, 2021
  • Co-Panelist, “Mastering COVID Employer, Government, & School Claims & Latest Regulations CLE,” Rossdale CLE, September 9, 2021
  • Contributor, “Recent Developments in Business Divorce Litigation,” American Bar Association Business Law Today, June 15, 2021
  • Moderator and Panelist, “What’s Up with Arbitration? What Corporate Counsel and Outside Counsel Need to Know About Recent Developments, Pre-Hearing Discovery, and the Role of Corporate Counsel,” American Bar Association seminar, June 11, 2021
  • Panelist, “Combating Identify Theft & Fraud Part 2: Navigating Attacks on Personal Identify Information,” Chicago Bar Association, June 10, 2021
  • Moderator and Panelist, “The Cutting Edge Issues in Business Disputes, Civil Practice & Damage Awards,” Chicago Bar Association, June 8, 2021
  • Moderator and Panelist, “A Live Interactive Workshop on The Best Practices of Remote Expert Witness Testimony,” Chicago Bar Association, May 19, 2021
  • Co-Author, “Weighing options when a company rejects a books, records request,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin  Business Divorce column, May 13, 2021
  • Moderator and Panelist, “How to Effectively “Get to Yes” in mediating the Business Divorce Dispute,” Chicago Bar Association, May 11, 2021
  • Moderator, “A Conversation with Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White,” Chicago Bar Association, May 6, 2021
  • Co-Presenter, Panelist and Workshop Mediation Coach, “Mediation Simulation Workshop CLE Program,” Chicago Bar Association, April 1, 2021
  • Panelist, “Effective Mediation Strategies when Dealing with the Hard Bargainer,” Chicago Bar Association, January 28, 2021
  • Presenter, “Hot Tubs and Hearings: Techniques for Presenting Concurrent Expert Testimony without Submerging the Hearing,” American Arbitration Association, January 21, 2021
  • Organizer and Presenter, “Easing the Path Toward an Involuntary Law Firm Break-Up,” Chicago Bar Association, January 12, 2021
  • Co-Moderator & Speaker, “Debunking the Myth that Arbitration is More Expen$ive than Litigation,” The Chicago Bar Association, December 2020
  • Co-Presenter, “Covid-19: Force Majeure & Employer Liability,” Rossdale Group CLE, December 2020
  • Co-Organizer & Co-Presenter, “Advanced Workshop For Improved Negotiation & Mediation Skills,” The Chicago Bar Association, November 2020
  • Co-Organizer & Moderator, “A Live Interactive Workshop on The Effective Use of Remote Expert Testimony,” The Chicago Bar Association, November 2020
  • Co-Moderator: “Best Practices for Remote Mediation,” Chicago Bar Association, ADR Committee, October 2020
  • Co-Presenter: “The Compelling Use of Business Valuation Appraisals in Litigation, ”American Society of Appraisers International Conference, October 2020
  • Co-Presenter: “Utilizing Best Practices in ADR, ODR, & Court Litigation in the Era of COVID-19,” American Bar Association-Business Law Section, DIspute Resolution Committee, September 23, 2020
  • “Religious Sincerity in Corporations & Businesses,” a Catholic Lawyers Guild’s virtual CLE program, June 16, 2020
  • “Attorneys in Transition: Ethical Considerations for Joining a New Firm, Merging Firms, Leaving a Firm or Succession Planning,” a panel at Law Bulletin Media’s “Ethics 2020” virtual event, June 11, 2020
  • “New Paths to Affordability” at the Chicago Bar Association's “New Dimensions in Affordable Housing” meeting, June 3, 2020
  • "The Role of the Expert in ADR-Mediation and Arbitration,” a Forensic Expert Witness Association webinar, May 27, 2020
  • "The Virtual Delivery of Expert Testimony in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond,” a Forensic Expert Witness Association webinar, April 9, 2020
  • “Video Conferencing for Lawyers: A Practical Session & Discussion of Using Zoom in Mediations & Arbitrations," an ABA Business Law Section webinar, April 2, 2020
  • "Force Majeure Clauses and the COVID-19 Outbreak: What Are the Pressing Legal Issues?” a Chicago Bar Association webcast, March 25, 2020
  • “Advanced Workshop for Improved Negotiation, Mediation and Advocacy Skills – Sophisticated Strategies to Become a Better Advocate and Mediator,” a Chicago Bar Association program, March 2-3, 2020
  • “Law Firm Breakups - Hard To Do?” a Chicago Bar Association webinar, Feb. 24, 2020
  • "The Process of Arbitration: Making an Effective Presentation of the Case,” at the Chicago Bar Association’s 2019 Arbitration Institute, Oct. 29, 2019
  • "Making Difficult & Distressed Corporate Divorce & Complex Ownership Disputes Resolvable Through Mediation and Arbitration, Inside and Outside of Court Litigation," at the annual meeting of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section, Sept. 14, 2019
  • "Delaware Business Divorce Update," at the Business Divorce Subcommittee of the ABA's Business Law Section meeting, Sept. 13, 2019
  • “Book & Records Requests Under Delaware & Illinois Law: The Dos & The Do Nots” at the Chicago Bar Association’s Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Disputes Committee meeting, Sept. 21, 2019.
  • “Reducing Unconscious Bias in the Courts and the Legal Profession," a Chicago Bar Association seminar, May 16, 2019.
  • "Books & Records Request Strategies Under Sect 7.75 of the Illinois Business Corporation Act & Illinois LLC Act and Litigation Issues," at the Chicago Bar Association's Business Divorce & Complex Ownership Disputes Committee meeting, Nov. 12, 2018.
  • “Delaware Law Update: Recent Valuation Issues in Business Divorces,” at the Business Divorce Subcommittee of the ABA's Business Law Section meeting, Sept. 14, 2018.
  • Facilitator, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Law School Orientation Program at DePaul University College of Law, 2012-2013

LEADERSHIP ROLES/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • The Chicago Bar Association, First Vice President, 2023-2024
  • Executive Management Committee Member, Aronberg Goldgehn, 2022-Present
  • The Chicago Bar Association, Second Vice President, 2022 - 2023
  • The Chicago Bar Association’s Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Disputes Committee, Co-Founder and Vice Chair, 2018; Chair, 2019-2020, 2021-2022; Co-Chair, 2022-2023, 2023-2024
  • The Chicago Bar Association, Civics Committee Founder and Inaugural Chair, 2021; Treasurer, Executive Committee and Finance Committee Chair, 2020-2022; ADR Committee Co-Chair, 2020-2022; CBA Mediation Program, Co-Founder, 2020; Board of Managers, 2017-2019, 2020-2022; CLE Committee, Vice-Chair, 2019-2022; Bench and Bar Committee, Chair; Golf Outing Chair
  • The Chicago Bar Association, YLS Moot Court Competition Judge, 2020-present
  • The Chicago Bar Foundation's Investing in Justice Campaign, Leadership Representative, 2006-present
  • The Chicago Bar Foundation's Board of Trustees, 2007-2013
  • American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Business Torts Committee; Business Law Section, Business Divorce Subcommittee, Co-Vice Chair, 2021-2022; Disupte Resolution Committee Program Co-Chair, 2020-present
  • American Arbitration Association, Neutral Commercial Arbitrator, 2012-present
  • Cook County Circuit Court, Commercial Panel Arbitrator, 2020-present
  • Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, Faculty Volunteer for First Year Law Students, 2000-present
  • The DuSable Museum of African American History, Co-Vice Chair, 2021-present; Trustee, 2019-present
  • WINGS Board of Directors, Member, 2018-present; General Counsel to the Board, 2018-present
  • Jesse White Tumbling Team, Inc. Board of Directors, 2008-present
  • The DePaul University College of Law Dean's Advisory Council, 2018-present; past Public Interest Law Board Member
  • The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago, Board of Directors, 2005-present; Audit Committee Chair
  • Lawyers' Committee for The Retention of Cook County Judges, Co-Chair, 2003-present
  • Fenwick High School Board of Trustees, Life Trustee, 2013-present; Member, 2007-2013
  • Simon Wiesenthal Center Midwest Advisory Council, Member, 2018-2021
  • City Club of Chicago, Member, 2001-present
  • 100 Club of Chicago Board of Directors, Member, 2010-2014
  • The Civic Federation of Chicago Board of Directors, Member, 2004- 2012
  • Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, Board of Directors, 2006-2012
  • Chicago Legal Clinic Board of Directors, 2005-2011
  • Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Board of Directors,  2006-2010
  • Prostate Cancer Foundation of Chicago, Board of Directors, 2022-present
  • Fenwick High School Bar Association, Founder, 1989; President, 2010- 2016
  • The Justinian Society of Lawyers, President, 2004-2005; Officer, 1999-2005
  • Museum of Broadcast Communications, Vice President and Board Member, 2006-2010
  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Member, 2016-2018
  • Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago Board of Directors, Member, 2016-2018
  • Barrington 220 Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, 2018-present
  • Barrington Youth Baseball & Softball, Inc. Board of Directors, Member 1999-2009
  • Barrington High School Baseball Booster Club, President, 2012-2019
  • Barrington High School Horseshoe Club, President, 2016-present
  • Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Member, 2020-present
  • Illinois Fatherhood Initiative Board of Directors, Member, 2010-2019; President, 2009-2010


RELATED NEWS



DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 1987

Creighton University, BSBA Finance, 1984



BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS

  • Illinois
  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • United States Tax Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, including Trial Bar

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Chicago Bar Association
     
    • First Vice President (2023-2024)
    • Second Vice President (2022-2023)
    • Treasurer, Executive Committee, and Finance Committee Chair (2020-2022) 
    • Civics Committee, Founder and Inaugural Chair (2021)
    • Mediation Program, Co-Founder (2020)
    • Board of Managers (2017-2019, 2020-2022)
    • Business Divorce & Complex Ownership Disputes Committee, Co-Founder (2018), Chair (2019-2020, 2021-2022), Co-Chair (2022-2023, 2023-2024), Vice-Chair (2018-2019)
    • Sustaining Member (2021-present)
    • Commercial Panel Mediator (2020-present)
    • ADR Committee, Co-Chair (2020-2022)
    • CLE Committee, Vice-Chair (2019-2022)
    • Bench and Bar Committee, Chair
    • Golf Outing Chair
  • American Bar Association
    • Section of Litigation, Business Torts Committee
    • Business Law Section, Business Divorce Subcommittee, Co-Vice Chair (2021-2022); ADR Committee Program, Co-Chair (2020-present)
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Justinian Society of Lawyers
  • National Italian American Foundation
  • The Lawyers Club of Chicago
  • The City Club of Chicago
  • Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
  • American Arbitration Association, Neutral Commercial Arbitrator (2012 - present)
  • Cook County Circuit Court, Commercial Panel Arbitrator (2020-present)


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  • 40 Under Forty Hall of Fame (2014)
  • 40 Under Forty Recipient, Chicago Lawyer, Inaugural Class (2000)
  • AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
  • Illinois Super Lawyer in Business Litigation
  • Illinois Leading Lawyer in Commercial Litigation and Closely & Privately Held Business Law (2007-2023)
  • Accipiter Law Alumni Award from Fenwick High School (2018)
  • Aquisition International's Best Illinois Lawyer for Complex Civil Trials (2014)
  • Illinois Leading Lawyer in Arbitrators, Mediators and Top Lawyer Neutrals, Leading Lawyers Network (2022)

LEADERSHIP ROLES

  • Leadership Representative, Chicago Bar Foundation's Investing in Justice Campaign (2006-present)
  • Dean's Advisory Council, DePaul University College of Law (2018-present)
  • Faculty Volunteer for First Year Law Students, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism (2000-present)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • The DuSable Museum of African American History (Co-Vice Chair, 2021-present; Trustee, 2019-present)
  • Jesse White Tumbling Team, Inc. (Board of Directors, 2008-present)
  • WINGS Program, Inc. (Board of Directors, 2018-present; General Counsel to the Board, 2018-present)
  • Chicago Bar Foundation (Board of Trustees, 2007-2013)
  • Prostate Cancer Foundation of Chicago (Board of Directors, 2022-present)

PERSONAL

John, his wife Esther, and four children reside in Barrington, Ill.

What is the best vacation you’ve ever been on? 
To Italy, Paris, Venice and London.
What is your favorite restaurant? Bella Notte, Chicago.
What is something most people don’t know about you? Someday, I would enjoy teaching high school Business Law and coaching high school baseball.