Clinical Faculty
Lecturers in Law
Catherine Copeland Gryczan
Associate Director of The Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship, Lecturer in LawBiography
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
Presentations
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