Adam P. Silverman
Driven by his passion to meld business with business law, Adam Silverman became an insolvency attorney to help companies and their owners solve financial problems and maintain going concern operations. Like all of the lawyers at A&G, Adam strives to find efficient and cost-effective non-bankruptcy solutions for his clients through equity restructurings, lender workouts and forbearance arrangements, refinancing transactions, going concern sales, public and private auctions, assignments for the benefit of creditors, statutory wind-downs, and other negotiated resolutions of debtor-creditor issues. When a client has no other option, Adam represents them through court proceedings including liquidations and reorganizations under Chapters 7 and 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. With over two decades representing hundreds of clients in insolvency situations, Adam has encountered a myriad of complex and challenging issues and has developed the depth, breadth and experience necessary to successfully advocate for his clients.
Adam joined Adelman & Gettleman as a first year associate in October of 1998 and was elevated to partner in January 2004. He is proud to have spent his entire career with Adelman & Gettleman, Ltd., ultimately evolving into its managing partner.
In addition to practicing law with the firm, Adam has co-authored a chapter in the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education entitled “Representing the Secured Creditor and Adequate Protection” published in IICLE's Business Bankruptcy Practice handbook; guest lectured at accounting firms, the Chicago Bar Association, and DePaul University; served a two year term as a member of the Bankruptcy Liaison Committee for the Northern District of Illinois; been named by his peers to the lists of Illinois Super Lawyers (2012 – 2024) and Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2008 – 2010), as well as Leading Lawyers (2015-2024); and achieved a variety of other successes personally and on behalf of his clients.
Prior to attending law school, Adam earned his Master of Business Administration from DePaul University's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, where he concentrated in international business and earned his MBA in just five academic quarters while working full-time. As part of his Master's thesis, Adam led a group of five other MBA candidates through the conceptualization of a business, preparation of a formal business plan, and presentation to professional investors for hypothetical funding. At the conclusion of his presentation, Adam was approached by one of the investors who offered to actually finance the project. Adam declined, stating that law school was his ultimate goal, and that he was obtaining his MBA to complement his practice as an attorney.
Adam has been a resident of Printers Row in the South Loop area of Chicago for the last 20 plus years and has served as the vice-president of his condominium association for approximately three quarters of them. He enjoys applying his business and legal experience to day-to-day issues facing a 100 year old building with almost 300 units and 10 full time employees. In a proverbial past life after college, Adam was a personal trainer at a private facility where he enjoyed working one-on-one with his clients to help them achieve their fitness-related goals. He lives with his long-time girlfriend, Heidi, who is an art restorer and has worked substantially on the ceiling murals at the Palmer House Hilton and the Congress Hotel, each in downtown Chicago, as well as the Elks National Memorial and Headquarters in Lincoln Park, among other recognizable projects. She continues to apply her trade on Adam, refining his rough edges and otherwise helping him to age gracefully.
Honors & Awards
- Illinois Super Lawyers, 2011 – 2024
- Leading Lawyer, 2015 – 2024
- Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2008 – 2010
Publications
"Representing the Secured Creditor and Adequate Protection" (co-author), Business Bankruptcy Practice Handbook, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.