John J. Powers combines expertise in accounting and the law to provide clients with a broad-based approach to the myriad of legal matters that concerns banks, mutual funds, and other entities. John has supervised the legal aspects for both large and middle-market secured and unsecured loan transactions. Representative financings include:

• Representation of a Chicago area investment advisor in over $10 billion of high yield loan investments involving over 1,000 individual transactions
• Representation of New York, San Francisco and Chicago area lenders in over 8,000 distressed loan trades with an aggregate value exceeding $4 billion
• Representation of an agricultural cooperative in a $50 million line of credit transaction, $50 million loan from life insurance company and $425 million syndicated loan facilities
• Representation of a cellular network operator in $48 million and $140 million syndicatred loan facilities
• Representation of an automobile parts manufacturer/borrower in a $135 million syndicated loan facility and the financing of various aircraft
• Representation of a retailer/borrower in a $60 million syndicated loan transaction
• Representation of an agent bank in a $36 million syndicated loan facility to a manufacturer
• Representation of a regional bank as lender in connection with loans to a variety of borrowers including manufacturers, shopping center owners, real estate developers, extended care facility operators and a media company

In the corporate area, John has represented clients in sales and acquisitions, as well as public and private securities offerings.

John is a member of the Finance Committee of Holy Cross Church. He is a former member of the Education Commission of The High School of Saint Thomas More and the University of Illinois Library Friends Board of Directors.

A 1980 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, John is a member of the Order of the Coif.  He received his bachelor of science degree in accounting with highest honors from the University of Illinois and was selected for the Bronze Tablet.  John was the 1977 recipient of the Monsanto Accounting Award.   He went on to pass the CPA exam that same year and was awarded the AICPA's Elijah Watts Sells Certificate of Honorable Mention. Prior to joining Meyer Capel , John was a partner of Hopkins & Sutter in Chicago and an associate at Andrews & Kurth in Houston.

John enjoys golf and Fighting Illini sports.  He and his wife, Kim, are the parents of a daughter, Betsy and a son, Sam.