September 18, 2025
Willkie partner John Ablan has been named to Law Bulletin Media’s “40 Under Forty 2025,” an annual series by the publisher of Chicago Lawyer and Chicago Daily Law Bulletin honoring of the top attorneys in Illinois under the age of 40.
John was recognized for excellence in the law and spotlighted as one of the leading capital markets attorneys of his generation. He has extensive experience advising both issuers and financial institutions in a broad range of domestic and cross-border capital markets transactions, and has excelled in a recent series of high-profile matters.
The profile noted that John combines legal skill, business acumen and a deep commitment to his clients.
“John takes every issue seriously, communicates effectively, and offers first-rate service,” a peer attorney told Law Bulletin Media.
The profile highlighted John’s recent accomplishments as a market leader, including his work representing Xerox Corporation in its offering of $800 million of senior secured notes to support its acquisition of Lexmark International, Inc. It also noted his success advising the underwriters in the registered public offering of $1 billion of senior notes by The Dow Chemical Company, and Saks Global in a senior secured notes offering to finance its $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus.
View the “40 Under Forty: 2025 Illinois Attorneys to Watch” here.
John was recognized for excellence in the law and spotlighted as one of the leading capital markets attorneys of his generation. He has extensive experience advising both issuers and financial institutions in a broad range of domestic and cross-border capital markets transactions, and has excelled in a recent series of high-profile matters.
The profile noted that John combines legal skill, business acumen and a deep commitment to his clients.
“John takes every issue seriously, communicates effectively, and offers first-rate service,” a peer attorney told Law Bulletin Media.
The profile highlighted John’s recent accomplishments as a market leader, including his work representing Xerox Corporation in its offering of $800 million of senior secured notes to support its acquisition of Lexmark International, Inc. It also noted his success advising the underwriters in the registered public offering of $1 billion of senior notes by The Dow Chemical Company, and Saks Global in a senior secured notes offering to finance its $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus.
View the “40 Under Forty: 2025 Illinois Attorneys to Watch” here.
