Anne M. Wolniakowski

Principal

P 312 855 4338 F 312 444 9027

To Anne Wolniakowski, “business law” is as much about the former as it is about the latter. While her extensive legal knowledge and experience are indispensable when guiding clients through consequential transactions or counseling on day-to-day and long-term issues, it is her boots-on-the-ground commitment to understanding each client’s business and goals that has made her an invaluable partner for the companies she represents.

Overview

Anne concentrates her practice on the transactions and decisions that play determinative roles in the success of businesses and their owners. Her diverse background facilitates her delivery of holistic, actionable counsel that recognizes how these areas impact each other and allows her to address the full spectrum of matters that businesses face every day. This enables her to serve as outside general counsel to many clients and companies.

With a natural affinity for dealmaking and a collaborative spirit, Anne has spearheaded countless transactions involving closely held entities, including mergers, acquisitions and the sale of businesses of all sizes across a broad swath of industries. Her experience includes drafting and negotiating asset purchase agreements, merger agreements, stock acquisition agreements, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, buy/sell agreements, loan and financing transactions, employment agreements, supply agreements, distribution agreements, manufacturing agreements and similar arrangements.

Business owners who rely on Anne for her counsel on all aspects of their operations and governance know that she will be there to answer a question, ease a concern or address an issue whenever they need her. She is involved in all aspects of the “life cycle” of a business from formation to ownership structure, succession planning, day-to-day contract negotiation and preparation through disposition. Anne’s dependability and personable nature complement the soundness of her advice and form the foundation of enduring client relationships.

Anne’s peers have regularly recognized her for her professional accomplishments, including being named a Leading Lawyer every year since 2021. Active in Firm management, Anne currently co-leads the Corporate practice group and is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. She has previously chaired the Recruitment and Quality Committees, has been a member of the Finance and Technology Committees and has served as an ombudsperson for the firm. Anne is also a founding member of Chuhak & Tecson’s innovative and award-winning Women Helping Women program.

Credentials

Education
DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 2000
Loyola University, Chicago, B.A., 1997

Bar Admissions
Illinois, 2000

Court Admissions
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2000

Memberships & Associations
  • American Bar Association
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law
  • Illinois Bar Association
Noteworthy
  • Leading Lawyer (2021 – 2026)
  • Illinois Rising Star, selected by Super Lawyers (2010)
  • DePaul Law Review, staff member (1998 to 2000)
Community Involvement
  • Chuhak & Tecson’s Women Helping Women program, founding member
Lectures/Speaking Engagements
  • The Corporate Transparency Act (2023)