Headshot of Catherine Copeland Gryczan

Catherine Copeland Gryczan

Assistant Director of The Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship, Lecturer in Law

Prior to joining the clinical faculty as the Assistant Director of The IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship, Catherine was a Partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and a founding partner of the firm’s Chicago office.

Catherine holds a JD (cum laude) from Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans and a BS in Business and French from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She also studied abroad at the Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence, France. She is admitted to the bar in Illinois and to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

As Assistant Director, Catherine instructs and guides the law students on providing strategic transactional advice to entrepreneurial clients of the clinic on a broad range of issues including business planning, entity structure, governance, finance, real estate, employment, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and transactions. She teaches a seminar on Entrepreneurship and the Law and also participates in legislative advocacy efforts at the city, state, and federal level to support lower-income entrepreneurs as they build businesses and neighborhoods.

Education

Tulane University Law School

New Orleans, LA
JD, cum laude, 1985

Activities:
Senior Class Vice President, Tulane University School of Law, 1984
Vice President, Tulane Public Interest Law Foundation, 1984
Secretary, Tulane Student Bar Association, 1983

University of Illinois

Urbana-Champaign, IL
BS, Business and French, 1982

Activities:
The University of Illinois Chapter of the American Marketing Association, President 1981-1982

The Institute for American Universities

Aix-en-Provence, France
Study Abroad, Spring Semester 1980

Experience

The University of Chicago Law School

Assistant Director of The Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship and Clinical Professor of Law, 2021 - Present

Law Offices of Catherine C. Gryczan

Principal, 2021 - Present

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Founding Partner - Chicago Office, 2008 - 2020

Schuyler, Roche & Crisham, PC

Partner, 1998 - 2008
Associate, 1991 - 1997

Gottlieb and Schwartz LLP

Associate, 1990 - 1991

Pope, Ballard, Sherpard & Fowle, LTD

Associate, 1988 - 1990

K&L Gates LLP

Associate, 1985 - 1988

Best Practices in Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Assembled and moderated this panel presentation to C-suite executives.
The Entrepreneurship Institute: Chicago Presidents’ Symposium, 2019

Succession-Transition - It May Be Closer Than You Think

The Entrepreneurship Institute: Chicago Presidents’ Symposium, 2015

Succession for the Closely Held Business

The Entrepreneurship Institute: Chicago Presidents’ Symposium, 2014

M&A Insurance: The Bigfoot of the Deal World or Another Tool in Your M&A toolbox?

Panel Moderator, Faegre Baker Daniels M&A Conference, 2013 and as reported on by The Daily Deal in an article “M&A Insurance Goes Mainstream: Lower Premiums and Policy Changes Increase use of RWI”, December 13, 2013

Preparing a Company for Sale - Maximizing Curb Appeal

Panel Moderator, Faegre Baker Daniels M&A Conference, 2012

Estate and Business Planning: Fail to Plan and Risk Death of Your Wealth

The Entrepreneurship Institute: Chicago Presidents’ Symposium, 2012

Business Transition Strategies and Growing Your Business Through M&A

The Entrepreneurship Institute: Chicago Presidents’ Symposium, 2011

Chicago-Kent International Law Career Day

Presenter on a panel moderated by Edward C. Harris, Assistant Dean & Associate Professor for International LL.M. Programs, Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2011

What Path Do I Take: Acquire or Sell - Joint Ventures or Alliances

The Entrepreneurship Institute: Chicago Presidents’ Symposium, 2008, 2009

Realizing Opportunities in the International Arena

The Entrepreneurship Institute: Chicago Presidents’ Symposium, 2007

Hot Topics in Business Law: International Transactions Update

Faculty, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2007

Bar and Court Admissions

Illinois, 1985

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1985

Memberships and Professional Affiliations

The Entrepreneurship Institute Chicago, Board Member, 2006 - 2020

RBHS Boys and Girls Lacrosse Club Parent Board to bring this sport to the school, 2017 - 2018

Riverside Little League: President, 2006 - 2010; VP, 2010 - 2012; Board of Directors, 2003 - 2012