James Boan brings nearly 45 years of public service to the Odelson, Sterk, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd. team. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1973, his Master’s Degree from George William College in 1978, and his Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1983. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Early in his career, Jim held Superintendent and Director positions with the Bolingbrook Park District. He served as Village Administrator and then Chief of Staff in Bolingbrook from 1997 until 2001 when he became Village Attorney, a position he has held for nearly 20 years. As Village Attorney, his practice focuses on local governmental matters, real estate, finance and taxation, and planning, zoning, annexation and land use.

Jim is active in the Will County Governmental League and the Illinois Municipal League Home Rule Attorneys Committee. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and was the former Chairman of the Kendall County Board. In April 2011, the Bolingbrook Park District formally dedicated 27 acres of open woodlands as the James S. Boan Woods at the Hidden Oak Conservation Area in Bolingbrook in recognition of his many years of public service. Recently, Jim was awarded the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.

He joins the firm as Of Counsel where he will provide consultation on local government, finance, land use, zoning, and economic development matters.