James K. Stucko became Of Counsel to the firm in March, 2003.  Previously, Mr. Stucko was a partner in the Chicago, Illinois firm of Pedersen & Houpt for 34 years.  Mr. Stucko has practiced law in Illinois since 1962 and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2003.

While at Pedersen & Houpt and in his current practice, Mr. Stucko has focused on all aspects of commercial law including mergers and acquisitions, financing, real estate and local government law.  He has represented various municipal entities including cities, villages, park districts, school districts and fire protection districts, in addition to representing developers who appear before such bodies regarding land use matters or to obtain municipal approvals.  His experience includes drafting comprehensive zoning ordinance revisions and updates, negotiating with both developers and municipal bodies, dealing with annexation and disconnection matters, and providing legal counsel at municipal meetings.

Mr. Stucko has handled all types of commercial transactions, representing both buyers and sellers in small and large acquisitions.  He has represented business owners ranging from privately-held companies to New York Stock Exchange companies and has been responsible for the structuring, negotiating, documenting, financing and closing of a wide variety of transactions.

Mr. Stucko was a member of both the Chicago and Illinois Bar Associations and the Home Rule Attorneys Committee of the Illinois Municipal League and remains a member of the Illinois Bar.  He has also been elected to membership in Lambda Alpha, a land use economics honorary society.  He is currently a member of the Georgia Bar Association.

Mr. Stucko has lectured for the Illinois Continuing Legal Education Municipal Law Group on topics relating to municipal licensing, zoning and police ordinances.  He has written for the Illinois State Bar, Local Government Newsletter and continuing legal education publications.

Mr. Stucko received his law degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he was Managing Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review.  He also received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Mr. Stucko can be reached at (Direct Dial) 706-828-2010 and (Email) jkstucko@hullfirm.com.