Schmidt, John R.

John R. Schmidt is a partner with the Chicago law firm Mayer Brown formerly Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw. His primary practice areas include corporate transactions, international trade, federal and state regulation, and appellate practice. In recent years Schmidt’s practice has focused heavily on public private partnerships involving the acquisition, maintenance, and development of transportation infrastructure in the US. He was counsel to the City of Chicago in the privatization of the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge as well as the proposed privatization of Midway Airport. Prior to joining Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, Schmidt served as the Associate Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice and as Ambassador & Chief U.S. negotiator for the Uruguay Round under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. He was named by the National Law Journal as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America. In 2002, he unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Attorney General of Illinois; in 1998, he unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Illinois.

John R. Schmidt is a career patron of then Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn (D). (But has given no money to Quinn since 1993)

From 1993 to 2008, Schmidt gave $2,147,779 to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office. 100% went to Democrats.

Last revised June 2011.