JOHN SKAKUN advises companies, boards of directors, and executives in high-stakes litigation and corporate crises, with a focus on securities and shareholder matters, investigations, M&A disputes, and complex commercial and bankruptcy litigation. John’s creative and bold strategies have delivered winning results for clients including Walgreens Boots Alliance, Johnson & Johnson, Apollo Global Management, United Airlines, JP Morgan Chase, CMG Media, Wanxiang America, Herc Rentals, and Phoenix International Publications.
John is a seasoned trial lawyer and trusted counselor who has achieved major victories at all stages of disputes and in forums across the country. He has led some of the largest securities class actions and fiduciary duty cases in the nation, with tens of billions of dollars in potential exposure. He has first-chaired ¬and won trials in complex bankruptcy and commercial cases. He has been lead counsel in board and internal investigations. He has defended government investigations and achieved declinations for companies and individuals. And he has successfully resolved many M&A and post-closing disputes around the world, both before and through litigation.
John is also an engaged leader in civic life and the Firm. He has a very active pro bono practice, and has won numerous trials and appeals in asylum cases, including the landmark WGA v. Holder decision in the Seventh Circuit. He is co-chairing the National Immigrant Justice Center’s 2023 Human Rights Awards, and is on the NIJC’s Leadership Board. He is the Vice Chair of Horizons for Youth. He is a Class of 2022 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow. Additionally, John heads the Firm’s Political Asylum & Immigrants’ Rights Pro Bono Project, and serves on the Firm’s Technology Committee and its Recruiting Committee.