Edward McMurray
Edward (Edd) McMurray is a legal strategist with a distinguished record of service to the association, chamber of commerce, and nonprofit communities. As the Managing Attorney of Association Law Group LLC, Edd’s practice is built upon a career-long immersion in the tax-exempt sector. Having worked closely with industry leader Jonathan Howe for years at Howe & Hutton, Ltd., Edd is thrilled to continue that collaboration now that Jon has transitioned his practice to ALG as Of Counsel.
Edd provides comprehensive counsel navigating complex governance, rigorous antitrust compliance, the intricate legal landscape of meeting and event law, and the protection of intellectual property, including trademarks and copyrights. He maintains an active, "boots-on-the-ground" presence in the industry, regularly attending client conferences to provide on-site legal support and staying on the cutting edge of hospitality trends.
A recognized voice in the industry, Edd serves as a faculty member for the Institute for Organization Management (IOM), the premier professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. His commitment to the community is further reflected through his active membership in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Association Forum. Having spent years "at the table" as a board member, corporate secretary, and serving as a volunteer leader for a non-profit charity, Edd possesses a firsthand understanding of the operational and strategic realities facing today’s association leaders.
Edd is a graduate of DePaul University, has an MBA from Elmhurst University, and earned his Juris Doctorate from University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. He is an active member of the American Bar Association’s Not-for-Profit Section and the Illinois State Bar Association. While based in Illinois, Edd provides proactive transactional counsel to a diverse portfolio of clients throughout the United States, focusing on protecting the missions and reputations of the organizations that drive their respective industries forward. Beyond his legal practice, he is an avid global traveler, a student of fine wine and diverse cuisines, and a devoted advocate for animal welfare.
Founder & Managing Attorney
Jonathan Howe, FASAE
Jonathan (Jon) T. Howe is a distinguished leader in the legal profession, widely recognized for his profound impact on the nonprofit, association, and hospitality industries. As the President and founding partner of Howe & Hutton, Ltd., Jon has spent over four decades providing strategic counsel to organizations across the globe. His influence on nonprofit law is foundational; he was one of the four primary drafters of the Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1986, a statute that continues to serve as a model for nonprofit legislation nationwide.
Jon’s dedication to the association community was further recognized in 1998 when he was named a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and he is also a recipient of the Association Forum of Chicagoland’s Associate Member of the Year award. Among a select group of attorneys who have argued before the United States Supreme Court, Jon’s litigation and appellate experience is complemented by a deep commitment to education and public service. He served on his local school board for 21 years—including 10 years as President—and was elected President of both the Illinois and National School Boards Associations.
A graduate of Northwestern University with honors, Jon earned his Juris Doctorate from Duke University, where he graduated first in his class. He remains a Life Member of the Duke University School of Law Board of Visitors and is a Life Fellow of both the American Bar Foundation and the Chicago Bar Foundation. A prolific author and highly sought-after speaker, Jon continues to travel extensively, speaking regularly at industry events and conferences nationwide. He has also served as an adjunct professor at DePaul and Roosevelt Universities, teaching association management and hospitality law.
Following the closure of his legacy firm, Jon now serves as Of Counsel to Association Law Group LLC, where he serves as the firm's lead resource for antitrust and litigation matters. He continues to provide the strategic insight and institutional memory that have made him a pillar of the legal community, and he is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Illinois State Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, and various federal district and appellate courts.
