Jason DeJonker

Secretary

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Candidate Statement

As an Asian Pacific American legal professional, I have always strived to achieve representation for AAPI’s in the workplace. Through my personal and professional relationships, I know I can actively advance the values and vision of NAPABA. I am seeking election to serve as Secretary for National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Over the past 24 years, I have established a robust legal career and distinguished reputation through effective communication, reliability, trustworthiness, and network expansion. My experience includes lender and borrower-side loan workouts (particularly involving CMBS and collateralized loan obligations), representations of debtors and secured creditors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases (including DIP and exit finance) and the plan confirmation process, commercial real estate and UCC foreclosures, and complex collection and judgment collection matters (including receivership proceedings in federal and state court). Out of the courtroom, I provide advice to corporate management and boards of directors on fiduciary duty and risk issues, counsels clients on structuring and closing distressed transactions (including traditional M&A and commercial real estate transactions involving all asset types), and help private equity and traditional lender clients in structuring commercial real estate and operating company loans (both balance sheet and ABI loans).

Although my legal career has brought me tremendous success and opportunity, my true fulfillment comes from my involvement in leadership and professional organizations, particularly in advancing equity. I have served on the Board of Directors for the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago. I served as co-chair of Corporate Transactions Committee for NAPABA. In addition, I am the current director of the Western Golf Association, having previously served as chair of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council and Evans Scholars Foundation Leadership Council. I utilize my role in every organization that I am apart of to ensure meaningful contributions towards advancement and fostering a positive impact within the community.

The skills and knowledge I have acquired over my legal career effectively demonstrate the qualities needed to excel as Secretary for NAPABA. My extensive experience, dedication to advancing equity, and commitment to professional growth position me well to contribute to the organization's mission. I am eager to bring my expertise and passion to this role, ensuring NAPABA's continued success and positive impact.

Candidate Bio

Jason DeJonker is a Partner in Seyfarth Shaw’s Chicago office, where he chairs the Restructuring & Insolvency Practice Group.  Previously, Jason was a partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, where he was a member of the firms Governing Board, the head of the finance transactions practice, and the global head of the banking sector.  As an attorney, Jason finds spot-on legal solutions for his clients. An experienced dealmaker and litigator, he is adept in the courtroom, in the boardroom, and at the closing table. Jason takes a creative approach to resolving both litigation and transactional matters for private equity investors, secured lenders, special servicers, Fortune 500 corporations, trustees, and receivers.

He has had the privilege of receiving recognition from numerous organizations throughout his career, including:

• Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy Lawyer (2023, 2024)
• Best Lawyers in America for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Insurance (Woodward/White Inc.) (2015-present)
• Chambers USA for Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Band Four Ranking (Illinois) (2019-2024)
• Illinois Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) (2018 -present)
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) in “Best Lawyers Under 40” (2013)

Jason was born in Vietnam and raised in Chicago. Jason received his J.D. from University of Illinois College of Law, and a B.A. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to his legal activities, Jason is very involved in charitable endeavors, including board and fundraising positions with the Western Golf Associations/Chick Evans Scholars, Link Unlimited, and HFS Chicago Scholars.

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NAPABA Affiliate Endorsements

Asian American Bar Association of New York

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