Land acquisitions through negotiated sales and eminent domain on behalf of government entities. 

Drafts contracts, agreements, and corporate governance and formation documents on behalf of clients.

Planned Developments and administrative approvals for schools, fire stations and libraries.

$5,000,000 Tax Increment Financing for renovation of 206,000 SF manufacturing building in Peterson/Pulaski Redevelopment Area. 

Institutional Planned Development with Landmarks Commission review and approval for a new 32-story vertical university campus building with 600 student beds, classrooms, lecture halls, and union in the Loop. 

$12,000,000 Tax Increment Financing for commercial residential development including Whole Foods Grocery store and 180 residential dwelling units in Hyde Park Community Area.

Institutional Planned Development for new 25-story (390 foot) outpatient care facility devoted to medical services and outpatient surgery.  Project included 2 pedestrian bridges over public right way and tunnel below on 46,094 SF site in Streeterville Community Area.

Institutional planned development, acquisition of city land and vacation of public right of way for a sixth to twelfth grade charter school on 167,844 SF site in Woodlawn Community Area.

Residential Business Planned Development for 9-story, 216-unit apartment building, with approximately 10,000 square feet of retail space and 227 parking spaces in Near West Side Community Area.

Residential Business Planned Development for 18-story, 208-unit apartment building on 56,000 SF site in Near North Side Community Area.

Residential Business Planned Development using Tax Increment Financing and vacations and dedications of public right of way on site in North Lawndale Community Area. The development included a residential transitional living facility with 70 beds and a program services building for youths ages 12-17 years old.

Residential Business Planned Development for 220 dwelling units and 114,000 SF of retail space in Logan Square Community Area.

Business Planned Development for Jewel grocery store in food desert in the Auburn Gresham Community Area.

Business Planned Development for Walmart in food desert on site in the Auburn Gresham Community Area.

Planned Development for 36-story tower containing 121 residential units, 259 hotel rooms, and 113 parking spaces in Near North Community Area.

Planned Development for residential and commercial retail project with 586 dwelling units in West Loop.

Institutional Planned Development including vacation of public right of way, pedestrian bridge and tunnel under public right of way for institutional uses including new medical office building on site area in the Near West Side Community.

Counsel one of the nation’s largest energy companies

Counsel to creditors regarding preference litigation, claim protection and post-petition activities.

Counsel to debtors in bankruptcy and restructuring matters.

Counsel to Chicago Transit Authority for Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project.

Counsel to Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority for McCormick Place West Expansion and the Red-Purple Modernization Program.

Counsel to City of Chicago for O'Hare Modernization Program.

Counsel to property owners and businesses regarding eminent domain matters.

Represented non-profit sponsor for low income housing tax credits used to finance renovation and rehabilitation of over 100 units of low income senior housing.

Co-Bond Counsel in tax exempt bond issues to finance airport and other public improvements.

Issuer’s Counsel to municipal corporate client for issuance of revenue bonds to finance capital improvements for various public agencies.

Assisted in drafting general construction contracts and professional services agreements for a municipal corporate client.

Assisted in drafting Employment Benefits and Pension Plan and Personnel Handbook.

Performed general corporate services for municipal corporate client, including preparation of board minutes, resolutions, by-laws, policies, and procedures.

Corporate duties include preparing and reviewing legal documents, updating and maintaining corporate records, assisting with entity formation and organization and performing UCC searches, IRS and Secretary of State filings.

Real estate tax experience includes reviewing and tracking of assessment notices and tax bills, communicating with assessor and taxing authorities, preparing and processing real estate exemption complaints and assessor’s annual exemption reports, filing real estate assessed valuation complaints, survey and sidwell map review, exhibit preparation, and drafting legal description.

Experienced in right-of-way amendments procedures and easements.

Files numerous zoning and permitting applications. 

Assist attorneys with the review of real estate development and zoning requirements for governmental, commercial, residential, community facility and mixed-use developments

Prevailed in numerous non-compete cases in various industries securing injunctions for employers in Federal Court.

Won motion to transfer venue and subsequently prevailed on motion to dismiss class action claim relating to meal periods/breaks in Federal District Court in Ohio.  

Secured the dismissal of FLSA class allegations against a client with tipped employees in Federal District Court in Indiana prior to class certification.

Won numerous motions for Summary Judgment on behalf of employers in State and Federal Courts on Title VII discrimination claims.

Litigated one of the few Federal Appellate Court decisions awarding employer client attorneys’ fees and costs for defending against a Union Trust Funds’ collections action pursuant to ERISA. 

Secured favorable Summary Judgment ruling for an employer in the Circuit Court of Cook County involving a former employee’s claims for commissions which included counter claims.

Secured a defense verdict in Circuit Court of Cook County trial involving former employee’s bonus claim.

Obtained an order compelling arbitration in U.S. District Court enforcing employer’s arbitration agreement with an employee resulting in the dismissal of class allegations pertaining to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Recently secured a verdict in favor of employer in U.S. District Court trial defending allegations of discrimination of three plaintiffs.

Represented municipal transit agency in Federal District Court and Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in proceedings where railroad questioned the municipality’s authority to acquire railroad property subject to the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act.

Represented public university in acquisition of 100+ properties for major campus expansion project; structured TIF financing for the development; defended university in Federal court against alleged violation of National Historic Preservation Act.

Represents major retail mall owner in circuit court litigation against the State involving the extent of the State’s constitutional powers of contract.

Represented county in structuring deal to allow private development to rehab historic landmark hospital building.

Defended non-profit community medical services agency against injunction and damage claim brought by neighboring property owner claiming zoning and restrictive covenant violations.

Represents owner of historic commercial building seeking permission from landmark commission to rehabilitate the property; represents owner in application for real estate assessment tax reduction, historic tax credit and tax increment financing.

Called as expert witness in trial concerning eminent domain procedures exercised by public body.

Represented public building agency in a jury trial to acquire the site for teachers’ academy school.

Represents cannabis business establishments in effectuating zoning map and planned development amendments and/or special uses required for local licensing and operations, pursuant to the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, and provides consultation on related regulatory compliance.

Represents local and national retail, restaurant, wellness and hospitality clients toward the procurement of entitlements necessary for operation and occupancy, including special uses, zoning (map and text) amendments, liquor licensing, public place of amusement permits, and general business licensing matters.

Represents and helps moderate format residential and mixed-use developers grow their portfolios by and through the effectuation of zoning map amendments, variations, special uses, administrative adjustments, land acquisitions / subdivisions and sophisticated due diligence.

Represents large format, high tier, mixed-use and commercial developers and asset managers in planned (unit) developments, zoning map amendments, variations, special uses, TIF and affordable housing consulting, and community engagement.

Counsel for Comcast in connection with the development of its Regional Technical Facility.

Counsel for City of Chicago and the Chicago Music and Dance Theater in Planned Development and Lakefront Protection Ordinance Process for Chicago's Millennium Park.

Counsel for developers of electric production and storage facility.

Counsel for large casino operator in connection with successful defense of citation under the Illinois Smoke Free Act.

Land use counsel for financial institutions in connection with development loan transactions.

Land use and zoning counsel for a large affordable housing developer on Chicago’s Southside.

Counsel for an outdoor advertising joint venture which was selected by the City of Chicago (“City”) to install digital billboards adjacent to the expressway on certain City owned property throughout the City limits. Specific legal work included advising the client (and the City) on the constitutionality of the program, the legal and political issues involved in site/sign locations, and drafting the sign ordinance including amendments to the City’s zoning ordinance and municipal code necessary to authorize the project with the City.

Counsel for the developers and owners of over 25 million square feet of property throughout the City of Chicago, including serving as lead zoning counsel on one of the largest planned developments in the City’s history.

Obtained an order compelling arbitration in Northern District of Illinois enforcing employer’s arbitration agreement with employee resulting in the dismissal of class allegations brought pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act and state law.

Secured a verdict in favor of employer in the Northern District of Illinois defending allegations of discrimination involving three plaintiffs.

Won numerous motions for Summary Judgment on behalf of employers in Federal and State Courts involving claims including but not limited to Title VII discrimination claims and issues of preemption.

Prevailed in numerous non-compete cases in various industries securing injunctions for employers in Federal Court.

Secured permanent injunction in case involving trade secret claims in Federal Court.

Drafts purchase and sales agreements and prepares closing documents on behalf of clients for real estate transactions.

Handles land acquisitions through negotiated sales and eminent domain on behalf of government entities.

Represents clients on a variety of commercial litigation matters.

Represented creditors in post judgment collection matters.

Represented multinational consumer goods company on numerous issues relating to regulatory compliance, intellectual property, procurement contracts, consumer claims and marketing involved in the sale of cosmetic products.

Represented clients in post real estate closing lawsuits, homeowner association conflicts, and municipal code violation matters.

Represented a nationwide real estate investment firm in asset purchase and sales, leasing, evictions, LLC creation and maintenance, code violations, and municipal compliance.

Handled residential real estate transactions for global relocation company including drafting and reviewing contracts and closing documentation.

Represents municipal corporation and drafts resolutions, policies and procedures, legal opinions, and intergovernmental agreements; advises on board governance issues including Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act issues; drafts employee severance agreements and releases and conducts ethics and sexual harassment employee training.

Represented various public and private clients on public right of way entitlements including vacation, dedication, privileges, easement agreements, draft ordinances for legislative approval, and appearances before various local government entities to obtain approval.

Served as co-bond counsel in the issuance of tax exempt municipal bonds in 2016 and 2018; served as co-underwriter’s counsel for issuance of refunding bonds.

Represented private clients on the successful completion of projects pursuant to Redevelopment Agreements.

Represents a Chicago convention center in connection with various real estate matters.

Represented the Chicago Transit Authority in the acquisition of aerial easements in connection with construction for the Red Purple Modernization Program.

Land acquisitions completed through negotiated sales and eminent domain on behalf of numerous municipal government entities.

Drafts contracts, agreements, easement agreements and other documentation on behalf of various clients.

Represented Wal-Mart in site development and all entitlement work for the development of properties in Northern Illinois and Indiana.

Advised various municipal entities, boards, and commissions on governance, ethics, MBE/WBE compliance, and other organizational matters.

Commercial, Retail, Residential, and Industrial Real Estate Transaction Services including purchase and sale contracts for major financial institutions.

Represented Rush University Medical Center in closing of $100 million Public Finance Entitlement for construction of a new hospital.

Led the legal team in acquiring 600 parcels in connection with the expansion of Chicago O’Hare International Airport and CTA Orange, Brown, and Green line expansion and redevelopment.

Obtained a favorable verdict in the amount of $18 million on behalf of a client in an eminent domain trial.

Represented numerous Real Estate companies on developing plans and municipal finance including Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

Represents numerous property owners, major developers and governmental entities in land use, zoning matters, and project finance.

Won appeal before the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District reversing jury verdict and entering summary judgment for employer regarding union employee’s claim for bonus.