Areas of Focus
Debtors, trustees, creditors, committees, landlords, and secured lenders in Chapter 11 cases turn to Ron Peterson for his counsel. Ron also advises clients on transactional issues such as corporate restructurings. His distinguished career has been highlighted by presiding over high-stakes complex commercial cases, including that of the country’s 10th largest commodities house and a $1.7 billion Ponzi scheme.
A fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, Ron is a prolific lecturer and writer on bankruptcy and commercial law issues. He contributes to this area of law by his involvement in several initiatives and organizations. Ron served on the panel of the Chapter 7 Trustees for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, from 1989 to 2021. He served on the American Bankruptcy Institute’s commission to reform our nation’s bankruptcy laws, which submitted its report to Congress in 2014. He also was the co-chairman of the Avoidance Action Committee for the ABI’s Commission on the Reform of Commercial Bankruptcy Laws. He is a member of INSOL (International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals) and, in the past, served on the board of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees. Ron recently completed his term as governor of the Commercial Law League of America.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Debtors, trustees, creditors, committees, landlords, and secured lenders in Chapter 11 cases turn to Ron Peterson for his counsel. Ron also advises clients on transactional issues such as corporate restructurings. His distinguished career has been highlighted by presiding over high-stakes complex commercial cases, including that of the country’s 10th largest commodities house and a $1.7 billion Ponzi scheme.
A fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, Ron is a prolific lecturer and writer on bankruptcy and commercial law issues. He contributes to this area of law by his involvement in several initiatives and organizations. Ron served on the panel of the Chapter 7 Trustees for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, from 1989 to 2021. He served on the American Bankruptcy Institute’s commission to reform our nation’s bankruptcy laws, which submitted its report to Congress in 2014. He also was the co-chairman of the Avoidance Action Committee for the ABI’s Commission on the Reform of Commercial Bankruptcy Laws. He is a member of INSOL (International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals) and, in the past, served on the board of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees. Ron recently completed his term as governor of the Commercial Law League of America.
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Admissions
- Illinois, 1974
Education
- University of Chicago Law School, JD, 1973
- Ripon College, BA, cum laude, Speech and Political Science, 1970
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2002
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1989
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1974
- US Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1984
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1996
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois, 1981
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1974
- US District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 1978
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2004
- US District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1999
- US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1975
Service / Recognition
Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation, Bankruptcy, 1995-2022, 2024, 2026
- Chambers USA, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Illinois, 2003-2026
- Commercial Law League of America, Lawrence P. King Award for Excellence in the Field of Bankruptcy, 2014
- Illinois Super Lawyers, 2005-2024, in Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights, Bankruptcy: Business, Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers, 2007; 2009-2011; 2016-2018; 2020
- Lawdragon Magazine, 3000 Leading Lawyers in America, 2010, 500; Leading Dealmakers, 2007
- Leading Lawyers Network, Top 100 Leading Business Lawyers in Illinois, 2006; Bankruptcy & Workout Law, Commercial, 2004-2019
- Who's Who Legal, The International Who’s Who of Insolvency & Restructuring Lawyers, 2013-2015
Community
- Ripon College, Chairman, Board of Trustees
- Brigham Young University, Guest Lecturer
- Ripon College, Guest Lecturer
Service to the Bar
- Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Faculty Member
- National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, President, 2017-2018, Director, 2008, Member, 1991-2007
- Panel Chapter 7 Trustee, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division
Industry
- National Association of Credit Managers, Lecturer