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.
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
Chambers USA
Band 4, Illinois Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2009-2012)
Band 3, Illinois Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2013-2017, 2020-2024)
Band 2, Illinois Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2018-2019)
Subchapter V Restructuring of the Year, Global M&A Network (2024)
Selected as a Lawdragon Global 500 Leading Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyer (2020, 2024)
Selected as Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyer (2022-2024)
Recognized in the 27th and 28th editions of The Best Lawyers in America® in the Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law category
Selected by his peers and the Board of Leading Lawyer as a "Leading Lawyer" (2021)
Bylines
"Berau May Expand US Restructuring Options for Foreign Issuers," Westlaw Next Practitioner Insights (withAdrian J. S. Deitz and Jay M. Goffman) (April 7, 2016)
"Treatment of Make-Whole Provisions in AMR Corp. Chapter 11 Case Raises New Concerns for Lenders," Financier Worldwide (March 2013)
"Bankruptcy Practice and Procedure," Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation (January 2012-2018)
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
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)
