Peer Pedersen is the Founder and Chairman of Pedersen & Houpt. He is a leader in the Chicago business community, where he is noted for his financial acumen, his ability to evaluate investment opportunities, and his talent for devising successful business strategies. Mr. Pedersen brings to his law practice his extensive experience as an entrepreneur and investor, as well as his expertise in corporate financing, tax, securities, and real estate law. He has represented clients from virtually every field of American industry (including broadcasting, distribution, manufacturing, transportation, entertainment, retail, and insurance) in their domestic and international transactions.

Areas of Concentration

Entrepreneurial Activities
As a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Pedersen is uniquely qualified to advise clients on selecting, structuring, and planning their own business ventures.

Mr. Pedersen participated in the acquisition, financing and operation of a group of radio stations over a period of several years. The entire network was sold to a major broadcasting corporation for many times the initial investment. Mr. Pedersen is involved in a similar enterprise in the television industry.

Mr. Pedersen was also a founding member of a partnership formed to own and operate one of the first franchises of what is now a major publicly-traded company in the video rental business. That partnership eventually developed more than 135 stores in five markets. Mr. Pedersen subsequently became a significant shareholder in the franchisor itself.

Mr. Pedersen is now involved as a founding member in various start-up businesses covering several industries and participates in numerous major real estate development projects.

Business Consulting
Mr. Pedersen specializes in identifying and designing legal and business strategies to achieve his clients' goals. He participates directly in the structuring and negotiation of transactions to insure their completion in the desired time frame and their ultimate success.

Mr. Pedersen represented a pioneer company in intermodal transportation in which he was one of the original investors. The company became a leader in the containerization and truck trailer industry, and was subsequently acquired by a Fortune 500 corporation.

Financing
Mr. Pedersen has structured all varieties of financing transactions, working with major financial institutions, investment banks and private investors in obtaining desirable financing for his clients. For example, Mr. Pedersen structured a leveraged buyout led by the management of a subsidiary of a publicly-held company in combination with a number of private investors. Eighteen months later, each of the investors profited significantly following an initial public offering including a secondary offering of a portion of their shares.

Operations
Mr. Pedersen also advises his clients in the ongoing operations of their businesses. He also serves on the Board of Directors of a number of companies, including Delray Farms, L.L.C.; Florida Office Property Company, Inc.; Home Access Health Corporation; The Martin Brower Company; River East Development; Spraying Systems Co.; Tempel Steel Company and Tennis Corporation of America.

Estate Planning and other Personal Matters
Mr. Pedersen's commitment to his clients encompasses their personal legal needs as well as their business interests. He has planned complex, multimillion dollar estates and trusts, and has represented the estates through the completion of probate. He has also represented the owners and executives of major corporations in proceedings involving dissolution of marriage and post-decree matters.

Honors

• 2004 William E. Winter Award for Outstanding Advocate Leadership at the University of Illinois
• Before completing law school, Mr. Pedersen served in the U.S. Navy during World War II

Community Service

• Chairman of the Centennial Campaign
• Former President of the Board of Visitors and Head of the University of Illinois College of Law Capital Campaign Fund of the University of Illinois
• President of the Robert R. McCormick Boys and Girls Club
• Vice Chairman and Board Member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago
• Board Member of Children's Memorial Hospital
• Board Member of Children's Memorial Foundation
• Board Member of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
• Board Member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago