John L. Swartz

About

John is a recognized leader in the areas of Bankruptcy and municipal law; he was nominated for the Leading Lawyers Network by his peers for his excellence in both areas. John has over 30 years of experience in the practice of law. His accomplishments include:

Bankruptcy Public Service – John currently serves the Federal Bankruptcy Court as a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee and has been managing bankruptcy cases for the court since 1992. He has handled over 18,000 cases to date. He has served as a Chapter 11 Trustee in the case of a failed timeshare developer. The company successfully liquidated assets and paid creditors. John been the featured speaker on the topics of creditor rights and the recent changes in the bankruptcy laws for a number of local organization events.

Bankruptcy Private Representation – John also represents both secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. He has represented a secured creditor who was alleged to have violated the automatic stay of a bankruptcy filing; his efforts resulted in the client avoiding significant punitive fines.

Municipal Law – John currently works with several municipal organizations. He facilitated the development of a new water treatment plant for a city. Yet another recent matter involved an eligibility challenge of a candidate for municipal office. John was able to identify the key facts of the case, resulting in an immediate disposition of the question in the Court. John developed the contracts and procedures for a local municipality to provide utility services to private organizations and governmental units. John regularly advises and attends meetings of the city council for one of his clients.

Eminent Domain – John has negotiated favorable agreements between municipal organizations and private land-owners for the acquisition and zoning of property for municipal utility use.

Education:

• University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1971
• University of Illinois, B.A., 1968
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions to Practice:

• Illinois
• U.S. District Court
  • Southern (now Central) District of Illinois
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

Previous Professional Experience:

• Illinois House of Representatives, Staff Counsel, 1971–1973
• Illinois State Appellate Defenders Office, Staff Member 1973–1977

Publications:

• “Fairness for Whom? Administration of the Fairness Doctrine,” 1967–1970, 14 Boston College Industrial & Commercial Law Review 457 (1972).
• “Due on Sale Update”, Illinois Reporter, June 1984.
• “The Bankruptcy Boom,” Springfield Magazine, Jan.–Feb. 2000.

Professional Associations:

• Sangamon County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
  • Member
• American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member
• State Capital Global Law Firm Group
  • Voting Member, 2004-2006

Representative Cases:

• Griffin v. Board of Regency Universities, 795 F.2d 1281 (7th Circ. Ct. App. 1986)
• Northern Illinois University Foundation v. Sweet, 603 NE2d 84 (IL. Appellate Court 1992)
• Buffalo, Dawson, Mechanicsburg Sewer Com'n v. Boggs, 488 NE2d 258 (IL Supreme Court 1985)
• Mi-Jack Products Inc. v. Department of Revenue, 483 NE2d 920 (IL Appellate Court 1985)
• LeTourneau RR Services, Inc. v. Department of Revenue, 481 NE2d 920 (IL Appellate Ct. 1985)
• Abdul-Karim v. First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Champaign, 462 NE2d 488 (IL Supreme Ct. 1984)
• Ogg v. City of Springfield, 458 NE2d 1331 (IL Appellate Ct. 1984)
• In re. Marriage of Legge, 443 NE2d 1089 (IL Appellate Ct. 1984)
• Town of Normal v. Board of Regents, 437 NE2d 406 (IL Appellate Ct. 1982)
• Hill v. Butler, 437 NE2d 1307 (IL Appellate Ct. 1982)

Civic Participation:

• Rotary Club of Springfield, Former Member
  • Past President
• Springfield Rotary Foundation
  • Former Member and President
• Hope School
  • Past President, Former Member and Board of Directors
• Illinois Symphony Orchestra
  • Former Board Member
• Senior Citizens of Sangamon County
  • Former Member Board of Directors
• Animal Protective League of Springfield
  • Volunteer counsel
• Capital Area Amateur Radio Emergency Response Team
  • Founding Board Member 2003- Present
• American Radio Relay League
  • Member and Volunteer Council