Stephen Pugh is the President of Pugh, Jones & Johnson, P.C.  Since the founding of Pugh, Jones & Johnson in 1991, he has practiced in the areas of complex real estate litigation, directors and officers liability cases, internal and external corporate investigations, general and complex commercial litigation as well as representing major governmental and educational entities in a variety of areas.  He also has the distinction of having tried the first civil RICO jury trial in the Northern District of Illinois. He serves as a hearing officer for the Chicago Board of Education in contractor debarment proceedings.  Mr. Pugh has tried numerous jury and bench trials and has argued before the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals and the Illinois Supreme Court, and is a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Pugh served as law clerk to the Honorable James B. Parsons, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and as Special Trial Attorney in the Honors Program for the United States Department of Justice.  He was associated with the law firm of Chapman and Cutler, and served as partner from 1983 to 1991.

Mr. Pugh has acted as Bond Counsel and Underwriter’s Counsel for governmental issuers of general obligation bonds, tax anticipation notes, tender notes, and certain revenue bonds. His transactions have ranged from $1 million to complex $10 billion deals.  He is listed in the Red Book.

Mr. Pugh is a Leading Lawyer and was featured in Leading Lawyers Network Magazine - Click here to read. The Leading Lawyers Network selected Mr. Pugh as a Leading Lawyer in 2006-2013. He has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers and Law & Politics magazines for the years 2005 through 2012.   In 2012, the American Bar Association Section of State and Local Government Law selected Mr. Pugh to receive the prestigious Jefferson Fordham Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to state and local government law throughout his career.

Experience

• Representation of the City Council of the City of Chicago in the Shakman patronage-hiring litigation, including presentations to the City Council regarding requirements of the decree and in all phases of resolution.
• Representation of the Archdiocese of Chicago in connection with a detailed analysis to determine if discriminatory pattern existed in settlements of claims against clergy.
• Representation of commuter rail line in Title VI class action and allegations of discriminatory funding in the transportation industry.
• Representation of the City of Chicago in a new and innovative $1.8 billion privatization deal in a 99-year lease of the Chicago Skyway Bridge to a private entity.
• Hearing officer in debarment matters related to the Chicago school system in education-related issues (principal removal, local school elections, etc.).
• Lead counsel for a minority-owned manufacturing company in a claim of breach of contract.
• Representation of an international machine manufacturer based in Beijing, China, for products liability related litigation.
• Representation of The Chicago Housing Authority in a 7,500+ plaintiff “mass action” seeking over $500 million for damages stemming from environmental claims.
• Lead counsel for the City of Chicago and various detectives and police officers in multi-million dollar civil rights claims.

Mr. Pugh has lectured and participated as a panel member in many professional organizations. He has authored several articles and has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Francis J. Rooney/St. Thomas More Award, and the 2008 Medal of Excellence, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Mr. Pugh has been appointed to Justice Anne Burke's Judicial Screening Committee.

Memberships

Committee Member, Justice Anne Burke's Judicial Screening Committee
Board Member, Cook County Justice for Children
Member of the Board of Trustees, Illinois College of Optometry
Board Member, Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Member, National Association of College and University Attorneys
Member, The Executives' Club of Chicago
Member, City Club of Chicago
Emeritus Board Member, Emergency Fund
American Bar Association
National Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Cook County Bar Association