MAYOR HOUSTON NOMINATES MARK CULLEN AS CITY’S CORPORATION COUNSEL

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Ernie Slottag 789-2235

Mayor J. Michael Houston has nominated Mark K. Cullen to be the City’s Corporation Counsel. Cullen is presently a shareholder and director with Springfield’s largest law firm, Sorling, Northrup, Hanna, Cullen and Cochran, Ltd.

“Mark Cullen will bring a wealth of experience to Springfield city government,” said Mayor Houston. “He brings 20 years of private sector law practice coupled with municipal law experience that will be very beneficial to me and the city.”

A Springfield native, Cullen joined Sorling after working at the First National Bank of Chicago and First Chicago Corporation, where he was Assistant Cashier and Assistant Secretary responsible for municipal bond underwriting, corporate and securities filings, securities offerings and acquisitions.

He has served as outside legal counsel for the communities of Sherman, Leland Grove and Rochester, and has concentrated his practice in public utility, general corporate law and business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, securities, real estate, tax and estate planning, banking and regulatory law, and commercial litigation.

In his corporate practice, Mr. Cullen has represented issuers in publicly-traded securities offerings and in private transactions, including equity and debt securities offerings. He has represented large and small corporate clients and individuals forming and expanding businesses. He serves as outside general counsel for several firm clients.

Cullen received his degree from the University of Illinois’s College of Law, his Master’s Degree from the U of I’s College of Commerce and Business Administration, and his Bachelor’s in Economics and Computer Studies from Northwestern University. Cullen has also served in leadership roles in several community organizations including the Illinois Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Abraham Lincoln Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Cullen’s nomination will require the approval of the Springfield City Council.