JOHN GIOKARIS
AGE 39
FIRM Rock Fusco & Connelly, LLC
LAW SCHOOL University of Illinois Chicago Law School
AREA(S) OF PRACTICE Tax law
2024 ILLINOIS ATTORNEYS TO WATCH
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S ince making the move to private practice in 2020, John Giokaris has saved his clients more than $27 million in property taxes. Some examples? He helped save the Kinzie Hotel in Chicago nearly $2 million in taxes, the VIP Apartments in Wheeling $2 million and 250 S. Wacker Driver more than $2 million. With results like these, it's little surprise that Giokaris has ad- vanced so quickly at Rock Fusco & Connelly, earning a promo- tion to Senior Tax Counsel within two years of joining the firm and becoming director of its tax practice in just three. Angel Garcia, an assistant public defender at the Cook Coun- ty Public Defender's Office, said that Giokaris has earned trust from his many clients. "While large properties by their nature get the big savings, John also has worked to make sure residential homes and family-owned business also get the tax savings they deserve," Garcia said. "John has invested time in the community to teach people what exemptions they might have and how to apply. In this role, John's public speaking and charisma are on full display. He makes the process easy and understandable to all property owners." Chris Farrelly with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has become a lifelong friend of Giokaris' and has watched this tax specialist's career continue to grow. Farrelly
John has excelled in all things property tax appeals. ”
says that he is consistently impressed with the results that Gio- karis achieves for his clients. "John has excelled in all things property tax appeals, whether it was at the Cook County Board of Review or his transition to private practice," Farrelly said. "John also excels at managing his property tax appeals staff, which is just one of the many reasons he has risen at his firm as quickly as he has." Giokaris also gives back to his profession and community. He has long served the United Hellenic Voters of America in several capacities, as executive vice president, young adult professionals chairman and the external relations and youth outreach coordi- nator. He also previously served as president of the University of Illinois-Chicago Law School Chapter of the Federalist Society. "John is intelligent, hardworking and has strong interperson- al skills," said Zachary Baker with Rosenberg & Rosenberg. "He exhibits a high degree of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct in all interactions."
40 Under Forty 2024
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CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
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