Foley & Lardner LLP: John B. Palmer

Within the "Nearby Lawyers" platform category, Foley & Lardner LLP's Chicago office, situated at 321 N Clark St Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60654, USA, serves as a significant legal resource for a wide array of clients. This address positions the firm in the vibrant River North district of Chicago, a commercially active area that offers convenient access for businesses and individuals seeking specialized legal counsel. The environment of Foley & Lardner's Chicago office embodies the firm's standing as a prominent national law firm with a strong emphasis on client service and a sophisticated legal practice. The office space is designed to be modern, professional, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, facilitating complex legal work and fostering a collaborative atmosphere among its extensive team of lawyers and legal professionals. The firm cultivates a culture that balances rigorous legal work with a supportive environment, ensuring that clients receive both expert advice and a responsive experience.

A distinguished attorney at Foley & Lardner LLP's Chicago office is John B. Palmer. As a partner and business lawyer, Mr. Palmer brings extensive experience in federal income tax matters. His expertise is particularly focused on intricate areas such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) taxation, corporate taxation, the taxation of partnerships and limited liability companies (LLCs), and complex tax accounting issues. Furthermore, Mr. Palmer has developed a niche specialization in the sports industry, providing tax advice related to major and minor league franchise acquisitions, as well as strategic tax planning for media and sponsorship agreements. This unique blend of general tax proficiency and industry-specific knowledge makes him a valuable asset for a diverse clientele, from large corporations to wealthy individuals, especially those involved in the sports sector.

The services offered by John B. Palmer are comprehensive and cater to both transactional and controversy-related tax needs. He regularly represents corporate and wealthy individual clients before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and various state taxing authorities. His advocacy extends to federal and state administrative and judicial forums, where he effectively navigates complex tax disputes. For local users in Chicago, whether a business is undergoing a merger, restructuring its corporate entities, or facing an audit from tax authorities, Mr. Palmer's guidance is crucial for ensuring compliance and minimizing tax liabilities. His ability to handle both proactive tax planning and reactive tax controversy management provides clients with a full spectrum of tax legal support.

In the realm of M&A, Mr. Palmer's tax advice is integral to structuring deals in a tax-efficient manner, identifying potential tax risks, and optimizing post-acquisition tax positions. His experience with partnerships and LLCs is particularly relevant in today's business landscape, where these entities are frequently used for various commercial ventures, requiring nuanced tax strategies. For clients in the sports industry, his specialized knowledge of franchise acquisitions and the tax implications of media and sponsorship deals means he can provide highly tailored and strategic advice that addresses the unique financial structures and revenue streams characteristic of this sector.

The features that distinguish Foley & Lardner LLP, and the practice of John B. Palmer, include the firm's national platform and its commitment to delivering integrated legal solutions. Foley & Lardner is a well-established national firm with a strong presence in key markets, allowing its Chicago-based attorneys to draw upon a vast network of legal expertise across various practice areas. The firm emphasizes its role as "trusted business advisors," providing sound business judgment alongside legal counsel to help clients achieve their objectives. The Tax Practice, of which Mr. Palmer was a former chair, is known for its depth of knowledge and its ability to provide practical, effective solutions to complex tax challenges. The firm's collaborative environment ensures that tax advice is seamlessly integrated with other legal aspects of a client's business, such as corporate, M&A, or litigation matters.

The firm's dedication to thought leadership and client education is another notable feature. Attorneys at Foley & Lardner, including Mr. Palmer, actively contribute to legal discourse through publications, presentations, and participation in professional organizations. This commitment to staying abreast of and influencing legal developments ensures clients receive advice that is both current and forward-thinking. Foley & Lardner has also been recognized for its strong corporate practice and its overall client service, which reinforces the quality of advice offered by its individual attorneys.

Promotional information and accolades further highlight John B. Palmer's standing in the legal community. He has consistently been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Tax Law since 2007, a testament to his sustained excellence and high regard within the legal profession. He has also been recognized by The Legal 500 for his work in domestic tax, particularly in the central region, and was selected for inclusion in the Illinois Super Lawyers® lists from 2006 to 2016. These repeated recognitions from prestigious legal directories provide objective validation of his expertise and reputation. Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Palmer shares his knowledge as an Adjunct Professor in the Masters of Tax Program at IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, contributing to the education of future tax professionals. He is also a Partnership Committee Member of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation, demonstrating his active involvement in shaping tax law and policy.

The firm's Newsroom and Insights sections often feature articles and press releases that showcase attorney achievements and significant client representations. While specific, recent deals are primarily highlighted under firm-wide news, Mr. Palmer's involvement in transactions like advising Ora in its recapitalization (which earned Foley an honorable mention in Mergers & Acquisitions' 2025 Middle-Market Deals of the Year) demonstrates his ongoing contribution to significant client successes. For any local user in Chicago, whether a large corporation, a private entity, or a wealthy individual, seeking top-tier legal advice on complex federal and state tax matters, particularly with a focus on M&A or the unique tax landscape of the sports industry, John B. Palmer at Foley & Lardner LLP stands as a highly reputable and experienced choice within the "Nearby Lawyers" category.