John Bielski

Biography

John Bielski began his career in 1997 with an eleven-attorney firm based in Wheaton, Illinois.  John’s time with that firm was invaluable because that experience allowed him to practice in many areas of the law, in various federal, state, and administrative courts.  John represented clients in matters related to corporate formation, business disputes, personal injury, workers compensation, municipal law, estate planning and family law.  Being with a firm with such a broad general practice allowed John to gain knowledge in many areas of the law, and allowed him to practice under seasoned attorneys with vast experience. 

John joined a firm in Park Ridge, Illinois in 2000.  That firm concentrated in taxation, real estate, estate planning and general business law.  John eventually was named a partner in that firm.  John devoted a significant portion of his time preparing tax returns and engaging in tax planning with individuals, business, and fiduciaries.  John prepared hundreds of individual, corporate, fiduciary and not-for-profit tax returns per year.  John’s experience and knowledge of tax law allowed him to better serve his clients over the years because a number of litigation and transactional matters are related to, or are affected by, tax concerns.

Practicing with the attorneys in Park Ridge allowed John to further his knowledge of estate planning.  John worked with clients in preparing wills, trusts, power of attorney forms, life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, special needs trusts and other complicated estate planning documents.  John also began representing clients in probate proceedings, and litigation related to will contests and executor and fiduciary disputes.

John handled approximately one hundred real estate closing per year while in Park Ridge.  John further worked with clients in landlord-tenant disputes, working with land trusts and 1031 tax differed exchanges.  He also worked with business clients in mechanic’s lien disputes, contract and fraud litigation, construction litigation and commercial and businesses litigation. 

John joined a firm in downtown Chicago in 2006 and continued to represent clients in business law, litigation, real estate and estate planning matters.  Shortly after joining the new firm John argued before the Illinois Supreme Court in the case of Krautsack v. Anderson, No. 101718 (12/21/06) on behalf of the Defendants.   As a result of that representation, the Supreme Court upheld the verdict in favor of the Defendants at trial and set the standards for businesses in the use of sanctions and attorney’s fees relating to the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act.

John continued to successfully represent clients in court and obtained favorable rulings in breach of contract claims, employment disputes, mechanic’s lien cases, real estate lawsuits, shareholder disputes, and other commercial litigation. John continued to expand on his estate planning practice, and continued to represent clients in probate proceedings.   

The recent economic recession caused a number of loan defaults and problems with lenders.  As more clients began to experience problems with lenders, John represented a number of clients in defending against foreclosures, and litigation with lenders.  In many cases the survival of companies rested on the ability to defend against their foreclosures, or the ability to refinance existing debt.  John represented businesses and prevented manufacturing and real estate holding companies from going into foreclosure and receivership proceedings and protected the owners’ assets.  John assisted clients in refinancing debt and assisted business in reorganizing existing debt.  John also defended clients in foreclosure proceedings.

John continued to represent residential and commercial properties in all their legal needs.  These legal needs included closings, landlord/tenant disputes, lease drafting and negotiation, representing clients before administrative hearings for building code violations, title disputes, and real estate litigation.

Throughout his years as an attorney, John has been committed to giving back to the community through pro bono work.  John has sat on a number of boards and has provided legal advice to 501(c)(3) organizations.

After a number of years working as an associate and partner with other firms, John decided to form the Bielski Law Office in 2010.  Since opening Bielski Law Office, John has handled numerous estate plans, probate and guardianship cases, and real estate closings.  By January 2020, Bielski Chapman, Ltd. was handling over 400 open probate and guardianship cases.  During 2019 the firm successfully completed hundreds of real estate closings, estate plans and business transactions.  The firm has expanded the office to a Chicago and two suburban locations, and oversees cases in seventeen counties in Illinois.  With the assistance of local counsel, John and the firm have matters pending throughout the United States.

John resides in Hinsdale with his wife and son.