Jonathan Boulahanis

Jonathan M. Boulahanis is a partner in the Chicago office of Gordon & Rees and a member of the Business Transactions, Banking & Finance, Real Estate, Commercial Litigation and Food & Beverage Practice Groups. He has a wide variety of experience with both transactional and litigation work, making him a trusted advisor to any size business.

Corporate Law

Mr. Boulahanis regularly advises privately held businesses, in corporate matters, including strategic business planning, corporate structuring, formation of business entities, corporate governance, service agreements, contractor agreements, and assisting companies in raising capital.

Mr. Boulahanis has also served as lead counsel in merger and acquisition transactions for clients in a variety of industries, including health care, advertising, industrial, retail, and restaurants.

Banking and Real Estate

Mr. Boulahanis has represented both large and mid-size commercial lenders and borrowers in commercial real estate financing transactions, asset-based lending, and mezzanine financing. Such representation has included conducting due diligence, preparing all loan documentation, drafting and enforcing security agreements pursuant to Article 9 of the UCC, and assisting with refinancing, work-out programs, and receivership.

Mr. Boulahanis is also experienced in representing both buyers and sellers in commercial real estate transactions, including preparing purchase sale agreements, easements and shared responsibility agreements, and completing 1031 exchanges. He also regularly represents Landlords and Tenants in complex lease negotiations.

Commercial Litigation

Mr. Boulahanis has extensive trial experience in both federal and state courts, including serving as trial counsel in nine full-length jury trials taken to verdict. He is well-versed in litigated matters involving real estate and commercial litigation. He also has substantial experience in defending employment claims, including claims arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the ADEA, the Equal Pay Act, Title VII, and issues related to separation of employment including non-solicit and non-compete provisions, and claims alleging retaliatory discharge and wrongful termination.

Food and Beverage

Mr. Boulahanis counsels Food and Beverage clients, including restaurants, bars, liquor suppliers, and liquor distributors on all legal issues related to their industry. He provides services including negotiation and review of commercial leases, creation and implementation of employment policies, creation and review of management and operating agreements, and representation when faced with civil litigation or alleged violation of state or local ordinances. He also counsels clients on issues related to regulatory and statutory compliance that are enforced by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

Background

Mr. Boulahanis received an undergraduate degree from Loyola University Chicago, and attended The John Marshall Law School. While in law school, Mr. Boulahanis served as an extern for the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall in the Northern District of Illinois. Additionally, Mr. Boulahanis worked for the Office of the Chief Counsel for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives in Washington, D.C. and the Corporation Counsel’s Office for the City of Chicago.

Mr. Boulahanis is a Chicagoland native, and enjoys giving back to his community. He volunteers for the Catholic Charities Legal Resource Center, volunteers for the Settlement Assistance Project through the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and is a member of Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Chicago’s near west side. Mr. Boulahanis also serves on the Advisory Council for Cristo Rey St. Martin High School, part of the Cristo Rey Network.

Admissions
Illinois
Wisconsin
District of Columbia
U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Membership
Chicago Bar Association
Hellenic Bar Association
Illinois Restaurant Association

Community Involvement
Volunteer Member – Settlement Assistance Project for the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois
Board Member for the Cristo Rey St. Martin Advisory Council
Volunteer for the Legal Assistance Resource Center, Catholic Charities of Greater Chicago