Practice Focus

John M. O’Driscoll works out of our Chicago and Bolingbrook offices.  He is a partner and Co-Chair of our Local Government Practice Group. His practice includes representing companies and individuals in business disagreements and providing general counsel services to local governmental bodies such as municipalities, school districts, library districts, and park districts. John handles a wide variety of disputes such as business litigation, breaches of contract, construction issues, employment disputes, property damage, tort liability defense, labor negotiations, internet defamation, ordinance violations, “sunshine laws” compliance, professional negligence matters, and complex litigation.

Prior to joining Tressler in 1999, John was an attorney with Craig and Craig. John has been selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers® every year since 2012 and an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars® from 2008 to 2011. He has also been recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” by the Leading Lawyers® Network every year since 2017. Furthermore, John has received the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel’s President’s Award for his exceptional service, dedication and significant contributions to the IDC and its President. Additionally, he was named a recipient of the IDC Meritorious Service Award for his outstanding service as co-chair of the IDC Commercial Litigation Committee.

  • American Bar Association, Member
  • DRI, Member, Commercial Litigation Committee and Professional Liability Committee
  • Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Member; Local Government Law Committee, 2013-2017 Chair; (former Chair of Spring Seminar and Business Law Committees)
  • Illinois Municipal League, Member, Home Rule Attorneys Committee
  • Illinois State Bar Association, Member, Local Government Law Section Council
  • Labor and Employment Relations Association, Member
  • Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois, Member
  • Chicago Bar Association, Judicial Evaluation Committee, Former Member
  • Oswego Community Unit School District 308’s Board of Education, Former Member

“So You Want To Stay Out Of Jail? What Park District Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Chicago, January 24, 2025

“So You Want To Stay Out Of Jail?,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Chicago, January 26, 2024

“Are You Allowed to Do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements,” 110th Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, September 22, 2023

“Are You Allowed to do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Chicago, January 27, 2023

“Are You Allowed to Do That? School District Ethics,” IASB-IASA-IASBO Joint Conference, Chicago, November 19, 2022

“Are You Allowed to Do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements,” 109th Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, September 16, 2022

“Are You Allowed to Do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring To New Heights, Chicago, January 27- 29, 2022

“Are You Allowed to Do That? What Local Government Leadership Must Know About Ethics Requirements,” 108th Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, September 24, 2021

“Mini Law School for HR Professionals,” National Business Institute (NBI, Inc.)’s Webinar, May 20, 2020

“Ensuring Local Governments Comply With The Law: A Current Look At Government Immunity,” National Business Institute Seminar, Naperville, April 8, 2019

“Collections, Bankruptcy, Identity Protection, and Consumer vs. Business”, IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Lake Erie, January 19, 2018

“Police Liability Claims From Start to Finish,” National Business Institute Seminar, Naperville, March 9, 2018

“Ethics Laws: What Local Government Board Members and Employees Must Know,” Tressler’s Governing With Confidence, Chicago, May 28, 2015

“Ethics for Illinois Park Commissioners,” IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, Chicago, January 22, 2015

“Governmental Entity Rights & Responsibilities,” Concealed Carry in Illinois Seminar, Chicago, October 30, 2014

“Ethics and Gift Ban Best Practices,” 101st Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, September 18, 2014

“Ethics Laws: A Primer for Municipal Officials,” 100th Annual Conference of the Illinois Municipal League, Chicago, October 18, 2013

“Ethics Law,” Tressler’s Governing with Confidence, Rosemont, Ill., May 17, 2013

“Tort Liability in Public Works,” Chicago Metro Chapter of the American Public Works Association’s Annual Education Update, April 25, 2013