Our Representatives​

Fernando Grillo

Chicago
Executive Vice President

Certifications/degrees/awards

  • Municipal Securities Representative
  • J.D., The John Marshall Law School
  • B.A., Andrews University

Mr. Grillo, Executive Vice President joined Estrada Hinojosa and opened its Chicago office in 1994. He brings his experience in public service, municipal law, and municipal finance to his investment banking practice.

He brings a deep understanding of the growing challenges municipalities, counties, and states face in managing their finances. Mr. Grillo led the consolidation of four state departments into the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation where he served as its first Secretary. The consolidation saved taxpayers $14 million annually in addition to benefits and pension cost savings resulting from rightsizing the new agency.

During his career, Mr. Grillo has served issuer-clients such as the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, Cook County, State of Illinois, Illinois Housing Development Authority, and the Illinois Toll Highway Authority. He has provided investment banking services and expertise in alternative financing mechanisms. He holds a Series 52 license from FINRA.

Mr. Grillo graduated with a BA in History and Political Science from Andrews University and a Juris Doctor degree from The John Marshall Law School. He is a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois and US District Court of Northern Illinois. His expertise includes administrative law, election law, municipal law, real estate property tax law, and regulatory law.

Mr. Grillo served on the Illinois Supreme Court Character and Fitness Committee. He is recipient of the Chicago Bar Association’s Vanguard Award.  He is involved in professional organizations including Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and the Puerto Rican Bar Association. Deeply committed to community service, he volunteers and supports education, youth leadership development, youth workforce development, and violence prevention programs.  He formerly served as Board Chair and President & CEO of ASPIRA of Illinois and as Board Member of the Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital Charitable Foundation, Hispanocare, and Family Focus.

Mr. Grillo is fluent in Spanish.