Atty. Peter J. Barack
As a founding partner of Barack Ferrazzano, Peter brings his personal success and experience in business to his corporate law practice. Peter’s clients appreciate his deep understanding of them and their businesses and industries, and view Peter as a trusted business adviser as well as their go to legal counsel to get deals done.
Corporate Law Attorney · Serving Chicago, IL
Profile Summary
About Peter J. Barack at a Glance
Peter J. Barack is a business attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Barack Ferrazzano. Admitted to practice in Illinois, State of Illinois. Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 1970) and Princeton University (—, 1965). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2026). Serves clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Peter J. Barack in Chicago
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Peter J. Barack
- As a founding partner of Barack Ferrazzano, Peter brings his personal success and experience in business to his corporate law practice
- Peter’s clients appreciate his deep understanding of them and their businesses and industries, and view Peter as a trusted business adviser as well as their go to legal counsel to get deals done
- Peter is a Senior Partner in the firm’s Corporate & Securities and Luxury groups
- His practice focuses on corporate and securities law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions and financial planning matters
- He regularly represents clients in mergers and acquisitions, strategic business planning and other manner of corporate counseling
- In addition, he advises a variety of large public companies, including many foreign companies in their American business activities
- As examples of the diverse nature of his practice, Peter represents a large public French company which with over 75 world renown brands is the largest luxury goods company in the world
- He has also represented a large French public company in its $3.2 billion acquisition of a 62.5 percent interest in an international retailer, another French company which is a leader in the world wide snow ski business, another large French company in the merger of its business travel services subsidiary with an American business travel company to form an international company with over $8 billion in annual turnover, the controlling family in a merger of its publicly held sporting goods company into a large privately held sporting goods company and its subsequent listing on the NASDAQ national market system, and a public company in its $350 million acquisition by way of a tender offer and merger into a private equity fund
- Peter’s extensive representation of foreign companies in the U.S. relates back to his experience at Oxford as a Marshall Scholar
- He began his professional career as an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and an Associate Professor of Law at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
- He has continued his academic affiliations by serving as an Adjunct Professor of Corporate Law and the holder of the Edward Avery Harriman Lectureship at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where he teaches Business Planning, Corporate Finance, and Securities Regulation
- He also is an Adjunct Professor in Finance at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management where he has taught Mergers and Acquisitions
- He also teaches Mergers and Acquisitions in various mid-career Executive Programs at the Kellogg School of Management
- Peter is the author of numerous articles on corporate and securities matters, a speaker on corporate law subjects, and a member of various corporate law committees
Practice Areas Explained
Peter J. Barack's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Peter J. Barack handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Chicago.
Business & Corporate Law in Chicago
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Peter J. Barack is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Chicago
Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Chicago Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Chicago-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Peter J. Barack
Where is Peter J. Barack's law office located?
What practice areas does Peter J. Barack handle?
Where did Peter J. Barack go to law school?
How can I contact Peter J. Barack for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Peter J. Barack received?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in Chicago Choose Peter J. Barack
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Peter J. Barack's practice in the field of business.
Focused Business Practice
Concentrating on business means Peter J. Barack's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Chicago
A Chicago-based practice means Peter J. Barack attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Peter J. Barack Handles in Chicago
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Peter J. Barack has experience with under Illinois law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Peter J. Barack directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Peter J. Barack Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in Chicago commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Peter J. Barack.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Peter J. Barack directly.
Peter J. Barack's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Peter J. Barack
No reviews yet.