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

• March 21, 2025: Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Deadline Approaches

• 26 Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Illinois Leading Lawyers

• John C. Sciaccotta and Jerry Holisky to Share Mediation and Negotiation Skills in M&A Cases

• Aronberg Goldgehn Relocates to Chicago Loop

• Jerry Holisky and John C. Sciaccotta to Share Ethical Issues that Arise in Remote Work

• Aronberg Goldgehn Launches New Executive Management Committee

• Best Lawyers® Honors Nine Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys in 2023 List

• Celebrity Business Divorce: Sour Grapes in Brangelina Vineyard Fight…and It Could Have Been Prevented

• Jerry Holisky Continues Firm's Dedication to Advance Workplace Equity, Participates in Legal Netlink Alliance DEI Panel

• Five Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2022 Edition

• John C. Sciaccotta and Jerry Holisky Business Divorce Column Debuts in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

• John C. Sciaccotta and Jerry Holisky to Share How to Effectively Resolve Business Divorce Disputes in Upcoming CBA Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Disputes Committee Webcast

• 35 Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Honored as Leading and Emerging Lawyers in 2021 Lists

• Twenty-Nine Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Illinois Leading Lawyers

• Business Law Alert - Paycheck Protection Program Update

• Business Law Alert - Paycheck Protection Program Update

• Business Law Alert - Guidance Brings Clarification On PPP Loan Certification Requirements

• Business Law Alert - Paycheck Protection Program Extended

• Update - The Paycheck Protection Program Under the Historic CARES Act

• Business Law Alert - The Paycheck Protection Program Under the Historic CARES Act

• Business Law Alert - The Business Tax Provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act

• Twelve Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Author Chapters in "Disputes Involving Closely Held Companies 2020 Edition"

• Paul Gilman, Jerry Holisky, Elizabeth Lazzara and Sheri Zaban Named in the Best Lawyers in America 2020 Edition

• The CBA's Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Disputes Committee Presents "Business Divorce Matters Seeking Both Equitable and Legal Relief Filed in the Cook County Commercial Law Section"

• Twenty-Three Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers in Illinois

• Ben Haskin and John Sciaccotta Presenting "Books & Records Request Strategies Under Sect 7.75 of the Illinois Business Corporation Act & LLC Act"

• Jerry Holisky and John Sciaccotta Co-Founders of the Chicago Bar Association's New Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Disputes Committee

• Jerry Holisky Profiled in Leading Lawyer Magazine's 2018 Business Edition in an Article Titled "Fine Art of Business Divorce Garners Rave Reviews From Client"

• Twenty Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers By Illinois Leading Lawyers

• Eighteen Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers By Illinois Leading Lawyers

• Federal Court Diversity Jurisdiction and Non-Corporate Entities - REIT Is a Citizen of Every State Where Its Owners Are Citizens

• Aronberg Goldgehn Appoints New Practice Group Chairs

• Jerry Holisky Elected Co-Managing Member of Aronberg Goldgehn

• Jerry Holisky Discusses the Role of Advisory Boards in Closely Held Entrepreneurial Firms

• Jerry Holisky Receives Chicago Association of Realtors® 2010 Affiliate Member of the Year Award