G.A. Finch

G. A. Finch, a business attorney and an executive employment counsel, is Of Counsel at Hoogendoorn & Talbot LLP and is the General Counsel to Northeastern Illinois University. He has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer, selected as a Leading Lawyer and designated the highest Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Rating in Legal Ability and Ethics (AV).  He started his career as a law clerk to a US District Court Chief Judge in Chicago.

He serves as Chair of the Cook County Employee Appeals Board.   His earlier public service has included Chief of Staff to the Cook County Board President, Illinois Human Rights Commissioner, City of Chicago Deputy Planning Commissioner, Chicago Housing Authority General Counsel, Member of the Illinois Agricultural Export Advisory Committee, and Member of Lt. Governor’s Energy Working Group.

He counts among his honors: Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow, Chicago Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Citizens Award, Chicago Commission on Human Relations Wright Award, Cook County Bar Association Platt Award, Chicago Bar Foundation Distinguished Service Award, Chicago Bar Association Dickerson Award, Chicago United Business Leader of Color Award, and LULAC Leadership Award.

A civic leader, he previously served as Chair of the Board of Advisors of St. Joseph Seminary of Loyola University, Chair of Decatur Classical Local School Council, Secretary of the Editorial Board of the Illinois Bar Journal and on the Boards of the Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Foundation and Chicago Sinfonietta.  He is a Member of the Economic Club of Chicago.