John E. O’Connor

John concentrates in advising and counseling companies and entrepreneurs on all aspects of business transactions, banking and finance, commercial real estate, acquisition and dispositions, leasing, succession planning, financing, management issues, intellectual property and zoning and municipal matters. In the commercial lending area, John has represented lenders and borrowers in connection with loans for working capital, real estate acquisition, construction, and other loan transactions.

Although John works closely with many local clients, he also has clients with regional, national, and international business interests. He represents many closely held and family owned businesses as their advisor, guiding clients by acting as “outside general counsel”, which includes establishing new business ventures, entity and management structure, operating issues, shareholder, operating and partnership agreements, negotiating agreements with customers and vendors, leasing, licensing, and joint ventures.

John lives in Arlington Heights with his wife, Sara, and their three children.

Education

B.S. in Business Administration from Marquette University in 1989

J.D., cum laude, from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1993

Experience

Prior to joining the firm in 2002, John was associated with a Chicago law firm as a business transactional attorney, Associate Counsel for a publicly traded company concentrating on mergers, acquisitions and general corporate transactions, and he has also served as Assistant General Counsel for a holding company.

Leadership & Honors

• High School District 214 Education Foundation, Director
• Member of Executive Committee, and Corporate Secretary, Journeys/The Road Home, Former Director
• Pathways Development Institute, Former Director
• St. Mary’s Services, Former Director