John Lyons

Partner

About

John K. Lyons represents major US and global corporations, committees, lenders and boards of directors in complex business reorganizations, acquisitions and divestitures, typically in distressed situations, in a broad variety of industries.

Areas of FocusIndustrials Restructuring Finance

Bar admissionsIllinois

EXPERIENCE

John has served as counsel in many significant business reorganizations, including counsel for US Airways, Delphi Corporation, Vyera Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Katy Industries, Inc., Silver Airways, VeraSun Energy Corporation, Interstate Bakeries Corporation, Exodus Communications, Inc., Favorite Brands International, Inc., Einstein/Noah Bagel Corp., Montgomery Ward, LLC, Air Transport International, LLC, FINCA Microfinance Holdings, and Rupari Food Services, Inc. John also served as counsel for the official committee of unsecured creditors in the chapter 11 reorganization of American Airlines and merger with US Airways. He also has represented companies, lenders, creditors and other stakeholders in numerous other high-profile chapter 11 cases across many business sectors.
John also represents several clients in connection with fraud investigations and asset recovery efforts, including Jonathan D. King, Chapter 7 Trustee in the Zetta Jet Pte., Ltd. and Zetta Jet USA, Inc. bankruptcy cases, David Carickhoff, Liquidation Trustee of the Vyera Liquidation Trust, in connection with several recovery efforts and administration of the trust, the special committee of the board of directors of PRC-based ShengdaTech, Inc. to complete the committee's investigation of ShengdaTech and to safeguard assets through chapter 11 and foreign proceedings; Paliafito America, Inc. in connection with the successful collection of millions of dollars of assets from international debtors and principals through prejudgment seizure of assets and prosecution of preference actions; and a large commodity supplier in connection with the tracing and civil seizure of millions of assets from a top executive that embezzled money.

In 2019, Governor Pritzker appointed John to the State Universities Retirement System Board of Trustees (SURS). SURS administers retirement plans for employees and retirees that work or have worked in the Illinois higher education system, including the state universities and community colleges, serving more than 250,000 beneficiaries and managing over US$28 billion in assets. In November 2023, Governor Pritzker appointed John to serve as chair of the SURS board. In September 2024, John was re-appointed to serve an additional six-year term.

In March 2024, John was appointed to the Board of Directors of INTERSECT Illinois that works with the Governor’s Office and top Illinois policymakers and business leaders to attract businesses and promote economic development in the State of Illinois.

Education

J.D., Villanova University School of Law 1989
cum laude

B.S., School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University 1986

Awards

Bylines

Prior Experience

Prior to joining DLA Piper, John was a partner for an international law firm's corporate restructuring group. In addition to his practice, John is involved in the community and serves as a director and vice president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center and co-chairs the annual fundraiser for the Sunshine Through Golf Foundation.

Civic and Charitable

Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center – Board Member
Sunshine Through Golf Foundation – Co-Chair
Chicago District Golf Association – Board Member
Not for Profit Rock Band – Co-Founder and Band Member

Memberships And Affiliations

Chair of the Board of Trustees of the State Universities Retirement System (2024-2030)
Turnaround Management Association (1997-present)
American Bankruptcy Institute