Lorraine ("Lori") M. Buerger's practice includes corporate and securities transactions, governance and compliance matters. Her practice concentration is on financial institutions and banking, with a particular focus on regulatory compliance and FDIC-assisted transactions. She holds an M.B.A. and J.D., and has helped corporation and financial institutions achieve regulatory compliance since 1990.
Since the current cycle of bank failures began in the fourth quarter of 2008, Ms. Buerger has assisted clients with regard to dozens of FDIC bidding processes for the assets of failed banks. She has represented assuming banks in FDIC-assisted transactions in multiple states, both with and without loss-sharing components. Ms. Buerger provides ongoing post-closing compliance and loss-share counseling, assisting her clients in seizing and retaining the full value of their FDIC-assisted transactions.
Ms. Buerger's clients acting as buyers in FDIC-assisted transactions have included privately-held and publicly-traded financial institutions, small community banks bidding on a single failed bank, large institutions bidding on various targets across multiple states, private equity firms, investor groups, inflatable banks and de novo institutions formed to acquire the assets of a single failed bank.
In addition, Ms. Buerger is a key member Schiff Hardin's team providing restructuring and recapitalization services to distressed banks, as well as ongoing regulatory advisory work for healthy financial institutions.
Ms. Buerger frequently speaks to boards of directors of institutions regarding bank regulatory issues, as well as those institutions considering the merits and timing of FDIC-assisted transactions. She is frequently published and quoted in national publications on banking-related topics.
Publications
"The Safe Games Illinois Act: Can Curbs on Violent Video Games Survive Constitutional Challenges?" 37 Loyola University Chicago Law Journal 617 (2006)
Speeches and Presentations
"What Every Banker Needs to Know about FDIC-Assisted Transactions," Financial Managers Society Chicago Chapter Fall Educational Forum, Chicago, Ill. (November 22, 2011)
"Let's Make a Deal: M&A, IPO and Private Equity Trends and Outlook for 2012," SolomonEdwardsGroup Program, Chicago, Ill. (October 28, 2011)
"Federal Financial Reform: What It Means for Community Banking," Community Bankers Association of Illinois, Women in Community Banking Conference, Springfield, Ill. (November 17, 2010)
"FDIC-Assisted Transactions: Overview and Latest Developments," Chicago Bar Association Financial Institutions Committee Meeting, Chicago, Ill. (Sept. 8, 2010)
Previous Experience
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Buerger spent 14 years leading regulatory/legislative efforts in regulated publicly-held corporations. She served as Director of External Affairs for AT&T Wireless International and AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., where she received a Circle of Excellence award. She also was Manager of External Affairs for Sprint Cellular Co./Centel Cellular Co., where she received the President's Award.
Previously in her career, Lori was an editor of internal and external publications for the Orval Kent Food Company; a speechwriter and public relations consultant for Kraft, Inc.; and an account executive for Janet Diederichs and Associates, Inc.
During law school, Ms. Buerger gained experience as an extern for the Illinois Commerce Commission's Administrative Law Judge Bureau, and as a clerk for the Illinois Office of the Attorney General in the Bureau of Consumer Fraud.