Disclaimer

G. A. Finch, Partner

G.A. Finch has been recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer, a Leading Lawyer and with the Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Rating in Legal Ability and Ethics (AV).

Earlier in his career, he practiced law at two large firms and his positions have included Co-managing Shareholder and Corporate Practice Group Chair.

G. A. Finch advises clients on all facets of their business, government/regulatory, employment/labor, and litigation matters, handling formations, financings, acquisitions, corporate compliance, and corporate governance. G. A. negotiates and drafts employment contracts and separation agreements concerning senior executives and professionals, as well as agreements for outsourcing, technology licensing, energy, manufacturing, supply, franchise, consulting, construction and publishing matters.

G. A.’s clients have included publicly traded companies, closely held corporations, financial institutions, not-for-profits, municipal corporations, as well as numerous developers, architects, engineers, brokers, physicians, authors and contractors. With more than 20 years of experience in handling major real estate and construction projects, he also adds substantial experience in ethics investigations and counsel, government procurement, and governmental affairs to our firm. He has authored many articles and a book: The Savvy Executive: The Handbook Covering Employment Contracts, Compensation, Executive Skills and Much More. 

G. A. has served as General Counsel to Northeastern Illinois University, Chair of the Cook County Employee Appeals Board, an Illinois Civil Service Commissioner, Chief of Staff to the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, City of Chicago Deputy Planning Commissioner, an Illinois Human Rights Commissioner, and Chicago Housing Authority General Counsel. G. A. also served as a Law Clerk to Chief Judge James B. Parsons of the U.S. District Court in Chicago.

  • Amherst, B.A.
  • University of Michigan, J.D.

Professional

Current:

  • Chicago Bar Foundation Nominating Committee
  • University of Illinois Chicago School of Law Center for Real Estate Advisory Board

Previous :

  • CBA Media and Civic Education, Inc., Board of Directors and Legal Counsel
  • Adjunct Professor for University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
  • Chicago Bar Association Board of Managers
  • Chicago Bar Foundation Board of Directors
  • Editorial Board of Chicago Bar Record
  • Secretary, Editorial Board of Illinois State Bar Journal
  • Editorial Board of Journal of Real Estate Development
  • Editorial Board of Journal of Real Estate Finance
  • General Counsel, Illinois LULAC
  • General Counsel, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)

Civic activities

Current:

  • The Economic Club of Chicago

Previous:

  • Chair, St. Joseph Seminary at Loyola University of Chicago Board of Advisors
  • Trustee, Hampshire College (Chair of Buildings & Grounds Committee)
  • Trustee, Commonwealth School (Boston)
  • Trustee, Robert Morris College
  • Chair, Decatur Classical School Local School Council
  • Governor’s Steering Committee on Housing
  • Illinois Agriculture Export Advisory Committee
  • Lieutenant Governor’s Energy Task Force
  • Cook County Recorder’s Blue Ribbon Committee
  • Vice President, Chicago Area Council Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors
  • Vice Chair, Pegasus Players Board of Directors
  • Chicago Sinfonietta Board of Directors
  • Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow in International Trade & Finance
  • Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow
  • Simpson Law Fellow
  • Lambda Alpha International Honorary Land Economics Society
  • Chicago United Business Leader of Color
  • Chicago Commission on Human Relations Thomas and Eleanor Wright Award
  • Chicago Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Citizens Award
  • Chicago Bar Association Earl B. Dickerson Award
  • Chicago Bar Foundation Distinguished Service Award
  • Cook County Bar Association Ida B. Platt Award
  • LULAC Leadership Award
  • Illinois Leading Lawyer
  • Illinois Super Lawyer
  • Highest Martindale-Hubbell Rating in Legal Ability and Ethics (AV)