John Haarlow, Jr.

For 20 years, John has been a dealmaker, strategist, litigator, and advisor to individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses of all sizes. He is known for tackling complex legal challenges head-on, consistently meeting or surpassing his clients’ objectives. Clients, colleagues, and adversaries alike commend his effectiveness and professionalism.

John serves as outside general counsel to several established and startup companies, including those in the healthcare, tech, and AI sectors. His clients rely on him for advice on business strategies, entity structures, transactions, employment, IP, and commercial terms – often at the forefront of legal innovation. John has significant transactional experience in fund formation, financing, corporate contracts, asset purchases, and executive employment. He also has a thriving private wealth practice, advising individuals on domestic and international real estate transactions, investments, and entity formation and management.

Before founding Mercer Oak, John established himself as a decorated litigator. In 2017, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin named him one of the 40 most talented young attorneys in Illinois, highlighting his quick wit, professionalism, and dedication to his clients. His "Forty Under 40" nominators described him as "stunningly effective" and "destined to be a prize litigator."

John has tried cases to victory in courts and alternative dispute resolution venues, successfully argued dispositive motions, and briefed clients’ cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. Clients seek John's counsel on litigation strategy, crisis management, compliance, and risk assessment in connection with commercial contracts, product launches, and transactions. His diverse experience spans closely held companies, financial services, hedge funds, real estate, consumer goods, aviation, legal malpractice, manufacturing, entertainment, food and beverage, and technology.

John was a partner at Chicago litigation boutique Novack and Macey LLP, where he co-chaired the closely held businesses practice group. He began his career at the litigation powerhouse Jenner & Block and clerked for the Honorable Suzanne Conlon in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

For over a decade, John has been a board member of the Sue Duncan Children’s Center, a 501(c)(3) organization providing free after-school educational support for underserved children in Chicago. He also serves on the School District 181 Foundation Board, which provides enrichment experiences for students and teachers in D181. John resides outside Chicago with his wife, Courtney, and their three children. In his free time, John is a gourmet chef, guitar player, golfer, world traveler, and coach.

Credentials:

Princeton University, AB 1999

University of Illinois College of Law, JD 2004, summa cum laude.

Awards:

Illinois Super Lawyers (2022-2024)

Illinois Leading Lawyer, Closely & Privately Held Business Law, Commercial Litigation (2020-2024)

Illinois Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2013-2017

Emerging Lawyer, Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2015-2017

Forty Under 40, given to the top 40 attorneys in Illinois under 40 years old, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2017

Publications and Presentations:

Editor, Novack and Macey LLP’s Case Studies in Closely Held Company Disputes (2017-2020)

Author, “New FERC Rule Paves the Way for Greater Renewable Participation in Wholesale Markets,” Novack and Macey LLP Energy Alert (June 2018)

Author, four Practice Point Case Notes on the American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution Website (2015-2016)

Co-Author, Chapter 7, “Civil Procedure Issues in Closely Held Entities,” Handbook on Disputes Involving Closely Held Companies, published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2015)

Faculty member, “Federal E-Discovery,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (Webcast February 14, 2013)

Co-author, “Recovering Attorney Fees for Defending Frivolous Claims,” Illinois Bar Journal (Sept. 2012)

Author, “Standing Out:  How to Manage an Online Presence Using Trademarks and Domain Names,” Smart Business Chicago (June 2012)

Co-author, “Nonparty Discovery Under the FAA,” Illinois Bar Journal (Sept. 2010)

Co-author, “Departing Executives and the Wage Payment Act,” Illinois Bar Journal (Mar. 2008)