LITIGATION · INSOLVENCY · TRANSACTIONS

A Chicago-based firm that represents businesses and their owners throughout the United States.

The John E. Zummo Law Firm represents companies and their owners in litigation, insolvency matters, and transactions nationwide — with a focus on resolutions that make business sense, the quality of a national firm but the direct access and efficiency of a boutique, and a record of success.

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WHAT THE FIRM DOES

Three practices, one throughline: Business.

Whether the fight is over a failed acquisition, a defaulted credit facility, or a building in receivership, or the deal involves a purchase and sale or a merger, the question is the same — what makes the best business sense and how do we get there.

Business & commercial litigation

  • Post-M&A and purchase agreement disputes

  • Securities fraud defense

  • Shareholder derivative actions

  • Partnership and closely held company disputes

  • Common law fraud, breach of fiduciary duty

  • Trials, arbitration, and appeals

Insolvency & creditors' rights

  • Bankruptcy main case, lender side

  • Adversary proceedings

  • Out-of-court workouts

  • Commercial foreclosure and receivership

  • Fraudulent transfer defense

  • Loan syndication disputes

Transactions & real estate

  • Commercial real estate transactions

  • Contract drafting and negotiation

  • Credit facility documentation

The same standard of work, on a smaller scale.

Mr. Zummo spent most of his career at large national firms representing corporate clients. The standard of work carried over. The staffing model did not.



32

States where he has appeared

29

Years in Practice



14

Consecutive years, Illinois Super Lawyers

10

Federal Court Admissions

SELECTED RESULTS

Judgments, dismissals, and awards on the record.

A sample of matters handled by Mr. Zummo. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.


Sup. Ct. N.Y. · Manhattan

Represented the purchaser in litigation to specifically enforce a membership interest purchase agreement for a $50 million healthcare business. Obtained a judgment ordering the sellers to close the sale and to pay the purchaser profits accruing after the original closing date, defeated the sellers' motion for summary judgment, and prevailed on the sellers' appeal to the First Department.


Represented a financial institution in securities fraud litigation arising out of the issuance of more than $1 billion of residential mortgage-backed securities. The Securities Act claim against the client was dismissed with prejudice; related state law claims were dismissed without prejudice.

Reported at 938 F. Supp. 2d 440

S.D.N.Y.


Chicago, Illinois

Represented the owner of a Chicago high-rise office building in a foreclosure action and receivership, together with related refinancing and workout negotiations. Successfully opposed the lead lender's motion for summary judgment, buying the client the time and the leverage to refinance, and precluding any recourse.


Bankr. M.D.N.C.

Represented a senior secured creditor in an adversary proceeding to determine the allocation of more than $22 million in proceeds from the section 363 sale of the debtor's assets. Tried and defeated the competing claims of several mechanic's lien claimants asserting liens on the sale proceeds.

Reported at 393 B.R. 372