Attorneys Joan M. Lebow, J.D. Melinda S. Malecki, J.D. Elizabeth A. Birt, J.D. Martin A. Blumenthal,    C.P.A, J.D. Trelisha M. Brown, M.S.,    J.D. Glen D. Crick, J.D. Linda L. McCarty, J.D. Lynn S. McGivern, J.D.,    LL.M Suzanne E. Ritzler J.D., C.P.A. Geraldine S. Stroka, R.N.,    M.S.N., J.D. Martin D. Tasch, J.D. Barbara A. Weiner, J.D.

 

Robert J. Walner, J.D.

Mr. Walner is an experienced general counsel and business executive with an extensive and recognized Background in structuring, negotiating and closing agreements for acquisitions, divestitures, strategic alliances and financings. He has been a trusted advisor to top leadership, senior executives, boards of directors and board committees. His competencies range from corporate and securities matters, to litigation, risk management and government relations. Mr. Walner’s current position is Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative and Legal Officer for Grubb & Ellis Company, a NYSE listed company (GBE) and its 4,500 employees. Bob also serves as its Corporate Secretary. He reports directly to the Chairman and CEO, and is primary Counsel to its Board of Directors and Board committees. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the second largest business unit, Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. In his nine years at Grubb & Ellis, he has structured, negotiated and closed dozens of business acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances - the latter of which is evidenced by a recent alliance with Knight Frank, a UK based services company with 100 offices in 27 countries throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. He also created and documented the Affiliate Program, resulting in the expansion into 50 secondary markets without risking Company capital. Cost efficiency is one of his major strengths, reflected in leading the risk management function in reducing insurance costs by $2 million per year, and redesigning the corporate health plan resulting in $1.5 million annual savings. For two years, prior to joining Grubb & Ellis, he served as “of counsel” to a Chicago based national class-action litigation firm where he was responsible for brief writing, motion practice, depositions, courtroom work, and oral arguments. He won an oral argument before the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and assisted with a case brought before the United States Supreme Court. From 1979 to 1992, Mr. Walner served for the majority of time as General Counsel to Balcor/American Express Company, and its Chairman and CEO, Jerry Reinsdorf, who is also the CEO of the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox. He created an in-house legal services capability that saved millions of dollars per year in inside and outside legal costs - and was rated as the best department in the Company. He also was responsible for conceptualizing, structuring, and preparing 35 public offerings and 150 private placements involving $4 billion of capital raised from 400,000 investors. After graduation from law school, Mr. Walner spent two years with the SEC as an Attorney, engaging in enforcement proceedings against securities law violators. He then went into private practice and concurrently worked with the Illinois Commerce Commission as a Hearing’s Examiner. He received a B.A. from the University of Illinois, an M.B.A with distinction from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management where he ranked third in his class. He received a J.D. from DePaul University School of Law, Chicago, where he also distinguished himself as Associate Editor of the Law Review. He is an NASD financial operations principal.