Edward O. Pacer
Edward O. Pacer is the Managing Partner in the Chicago office of Peckar & Abramson and co-chair of the White Collar, Regulatory Compliance & Investigations Practice. He is a highly regarded litigation attorney who has tried 32 civil and criminal cases to jury verdict and has tried dozens of cases before the bench. He has also argued before the Illinois Appellate Court nine times. Ed has represented his clients in a wide variety of litigated matters, including business partner disputes, employment discrimination claims, construction-related claims, investment disputes, trust litigation and cases involving fraud and civil RICO claims.
Edward O. Pacer
Managing Partner, Chicago Office
Co-Chair - White Collar, Regulatory Compliance & Investigations
Chicago, IL
P +1 312.881.6300
F +1 312.435.2482
P 312.881.6300
F 312.435.2482
"At Peckar & Abramson, we develop tailored compliance programs to meet the invariably different needs of each individual client."
Bio
Ed also has extensive experience in effectively representing clients in mediation and arbitration and litigation. His broad-based civil litigation experience has allowed him to serve as a valuable asset to his clients providing internal policy and practice advice and by aiding clients in assessing and avoiding risk.
During the past 10 years, most of the Ed’s litigation practice has focused on the mediation, arbitration, and litigation of construction related disputes. Ed has represented general contractors, construction managers, and trade contractors in a wide variety of matters. Representative matters include the prosecution of multi-million dollar breach of contract cases, the prosecution and defense of lien claims, and the defense of defective work claims. Ed has also defended cases related to federal contract requirements at the Peoria Airport expansion project.
Ed is a former Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, Illinois, where he spent a significant amount of time assigned to special prosecution and multi-jurisdictional task force units that investigated and prosecuted organized criminal enterprises. Ed is a former partner at the firm of Williams Montgomery & John and one of the four founding partners of the Harrison & Held law firm. In light of his accomplishments, Ed has been recognized as a Best Lawyer, a Chicago Super Lawyer and a Chicago Top Lawyer.
Highlights
Admissions
• State of Illinois
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (trial bar)
• United States District Court of the Southern District of New York (pro hac vice)
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (pro hac vice)
• State Court of Colorado, Weld County (pro hac vice)
• State Court of Colorado, Denver County (pro hac vice)
• State Court of California, Fresno County (pro hac vice)
Memberships
• Chicago Bar Association
• Fenwick High School Bar Association, Past President
• Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional–Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics Professionals
Education & Courses
• University of Illinois, B.A.
• Loyola University of Chicago, J.D.
Awards & Recognitions
• Best Lawyers, 2024-2025
• Chicago Top Lawyers
• Illinois Super Lawyers, 2005
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
Publications & Presentations
• “Safety Forum: Recreational Marijuana & the Safe Construction Site,” Peckar & Abramson, P.C., and Chicagoland AGC Safety & Health Committee Forum, September 2023 (Presenter)
• Changes to the AIA Contract Documents, P&A Peer Conference, May 2017
• “The Independent Monitor – Ally or Adversary to the Corporation?” American Bar Association 2015 Business Law Section Annual Meeting, September 2015
• “Regulatory Developments That Affect Public Work Contractors: How What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You,” P&A Seminar, January 2014
• “The Nuances of Compliance Can Make – or Break – a Contractor,” ENR Construction Law, Risk and Compliance Section, May 2014
News & Events
• Peckar & Abramson Has Largest Number of Construction Law and Litigation Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers 2025
• Safety Forum: Recreational Marijuana & the Safe Construction Site
• Peckar & Abramson Offices Host Nationwide Peer Conference on Changes to the AIA Contract Documents
• Edward O. Pacer Speaks at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting
