James W. Keeling

Jim Keeling maintains a business law practice emphasizing organizational and transactional matters, including mergers, acquisitions, and real estate. He also advises numerous individual and business clients in estate and financial planning and real estate development. Jim also advises closely-held businesses and family businesses on ownership relations and succession planning issues.

Jim previously served as practice group leader of Hinshaw's national Commercial Transactions Practice Group. He has also served as partner-in-charge of the firm's Rockford office and as chairman of the board for Hinshaw Consulting, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary (2012-2016).

• American Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Winnebago County Bar Association

• Recognized by his peers and Leading Lawyers Magazine Business Edition as a "Leading Lawyer" in the category of Small, Closely & Privately Held Business Law and Top 100 Leading Downstate Business Lawyers in Illinois
• Holds the AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability
• Recognized on the Super Lawyers list by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine

• Co-Presenter, "Solar for Nonprofits and Churches - Special Incentives from Illinois," 2024 Solar Conference and Expo, Rockford, Illinois, July 18, 2024
• Co-Presenter, "Let the Sun Shine In: How Churches and Colleges Can Save with Solar with Austin Carr and Jim Keeling," Clean Power Hour Podcast, May 9, 2024
• Co-Presenter, "How Churches and Colleges Can Harness the Energy of the Sun and Save Money with Solar," Greenlink Energy Solutions, Webinar, May 1, 2024

• Transform Rockford, Trustee
• Perks Family Foundation, Director
• The Blazer Foundation, Director
• Rockford University, Trustee and Former Chair
• Perryville Path Project, Chair (an effort to build a community bicycle and recreational path system)
• Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza, Founder and Co-Chair

The following organizations, among others, have recognized Jim's community service:

• Rockford University
  • Karl C. Williams Award, 2021
  • Honorary Alumnus, 2018
  • Mary Ashby Cheek Award, 2014
• Rockford Register Star "Excalibur Award," 2011
• Rockford Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year," 2011
• Rockford Park District "Golf Hall of Fame," 2007
• Illinois Park and Recreation Association and Illinois Association of Park Districts, "Community Service Award," 2001 and 1994