Best Lawyers in Illinois, United States for Real Estate Law

Chuck is a pragmatic, solution-oriented real estate attorney whose clients rely upon to handle their most complex and high-priority transactions. He is analytical, strategic, and creative. Chuck is a skilled negotiator, with a deep understanding of his clients’ goals and the experience and business acumen necessary to help them achieve those goals. As a partner in Barack Ferrazzano’s Real Estate Group, Chuck’s practice focuses primarily on real estate finance, and the acquis...

Michael J. Baum is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Michael J., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Leah is chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice group and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Hospitality and Leisure Practice Group. She develops legal strategies for clients, both real estate investors and clients in other industries who are heavy real estate users, in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions; mortgage and mezzanine financing transactions; commercial leases, hotel management and franchise agreements, co-living and property...

Dennis is a senior partner and a founder of Barack Ferrazzano. He concentrates his practice on commercial real estate and business planning matters. Dennis is the primary North American real estate counsel for Bernard Arnault, Agache, LVMH, and the LVMH brands in the Americas. Dennis is consistently ranked among the top lawyers in Illinois for his real estate practice. He has been Band ranked in Chambers USA for more than 20 consecutive years, named by Leading Lawyers as the #1 Real Estate La...

Lawrence B, Swibel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Lawrence B,, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lawrence B, is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael P. Kuppersmith is a partner in Holland & Knight's Chicago office. He concentrates his practice in the area of commercial real estate law, with an emphasis on the leasing, acquisition, development and disposition of office, retail, residential and industrial properties, corporate facilities work, real estate financings, including construction, bridge and permanent financings, securitized financings and multiproperty secured revolving credit facilities, workouts involving distressed...

Terry L. Engel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Terry L., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Terry L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sherry L. Harlan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Sherry L., who practices law in Rockford, Illinois, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sherry L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clients engaged in complex commercial real estate and corporate finance transactions count on LaVon M. Johns’ experience, insight, and commitment to help them anticipate issues, address challenges, and, ultimately, get to “yes.” A consummate dealmaker who balances business savvy and legal know-how with outstanding communication skills and a deep commitment to building long-term client relationships, LaVon focuses her practice on complex commercial real estate and finance mat...

To Tamara Hibbard, it’s never just a contract — it’s a specific parcel of real estate with a history, a future, and a complex web of stakeholders, from owners and investors to lenders, tenants, and local authorities. Tamara brings a keen awareness of context and a thoughtful ability to balance competing interests, understanding that every deal is shaped as much by people and priorities as by property and paper. With more than 20 years of real estate law experience, Tamara Hi...

As a real estate attorney with more than 40 years of experience, Suzanne is deal-driven, meticulous, practical, straight-forward, and a fierce advocate for her clients. She understands her clients’ businesses and proactively anticipates their needs as her clients evolve. As co-chair of Barack Ferrazzano’s Real Estate Group, Suzanne concentrates her practice on commercial real estate and related corporate, securities, and business planning matters. Suzanne has significant experienc...

James Mayer is a senior counsel in Nixon Peabody’s Real Estate group and focuses his practice on all aspects of real estate law, with extensive experience in retail, office, and industrial leasing. My focus I focus my practice on commercial real estate law, including all aspects of real estate acquisition, development, leasing, operation, management, and disposition. My clients include real estate pension funds, investment advisory groups (for their own accounts and unrelated third part...

David Allswang is a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Real Estate group and head of our national leasing team. He represents client in all areas of commercial real estate. What do you focus on? I focus my practice on the acquisition, leasing and disposition of commercial real estate. Working on behalf of landlord entities, I have completed projects involving several million square feet of retail space. I work with clients in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, England, China and Israel...

As a partner in Barack Ferrazzano’s Real Estate group, Julie has extensive experience in a wide variety of commercial real estate transactions, representing both sponsors and investors in all facets of commercial real estate. She is recognized as an industry leader in matters pertaining to real estate development. Julie regularly advises clients in some of the largest and most complex projects in the U.S., from the predevelopment stage through asset stabilization and disposition. She wo...

Alex Cole focuses her real estate practice in the areas of real estate transactions and development, hospitality, international real estate, project finance and construction law. She is routinely involved in large real estate acquisitions (hotel, office and retail) and represents all the various parties in the construction and development process. Some of Alex's past projects include: Park Hyatt Australia, purchase and disposition of The Carlyle in transaction including sale of Rosewood Hotel...

Recognized by her peers and clients as a leader in commercial real estate, Amy Blumenthal has more than 35 years of experience in all areas of real estate, including office, retail, hotel, industrial and luxury residential properties, often concentrating on acquisitions, sales and financing, as well as real estate development. Her clients, from a variety of industries such as manufacturing, hospitality, and food and beverage, value her ability to listen and understand their priorities and nee...