Best Lawyers in Illinois, United States for Real Estate Law

Jay Augustyn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Jay, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jay is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Doug represents clients in a broad range of complex real estate and finance transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, financing, management and leasing of commercial, industrial, office, hotel and parking garage properties across the country, often in the context of portfolio transactions or joint ventures. His clients include both private and public entities, such as private real estate companies, publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and pension fund managers. A ...

Michael T. Fishman is Co-Chair of the firm's Chicago Real Estate Practice who focuses his practice on real estate, real estate finance, private equity and real estate fund formation. His clients include institutional investors, investment advisors, public and private real estate companies, REITs and financial institutions. Michael has worked to form domestic and cross-border real estate funds and joint ventures, and regularly represents lenders on real estate projects throughout the United St...

M. Christine Graff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. M. Christine, 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 M. Christine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

Nancy M. Olson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Nancy M., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nancy M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Laurie Levin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Laurie, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laurie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Seth R. Madorsky is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Seth R., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Seth R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom is a litigator who represents property taxpayers throughout the country, ensuring their tax liabilities are secured at the lowest level allowable under the law. He represents clients spanning numerous industries, ranging in size and complexity from those with large, sophisticated real estate portfolios to those with just one building critical to their operations. Tom sets his clients’ expectations regarding measurable results in every property tax appeal. Before filing, he provides ...

Andrew has extensive experience in commercial real estate advising real estate investors, funds, finance companies, sponsors and operating companies on private equity capital raising, finance (including preferred equity and mezzanine), investment and development of commercial real estate. He also advises on the formation of joint ventures to own, operate, develop and finance global real estate. He regularly represents lenders with participations, modifications, originations and workouts of co...

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.

Rachel Brown is a partner in the Real Estate Group in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Her practice focuses on finance, venture formation, acquisitions and dispositions, and development. She advises borrowers and lenders in all types of real estate based financing transactions including first mortgage loans, construction loans, mezzanine financings, credit facilities, subscription facilities and other structured financings. Rachel also represents clients on workouts, loan sales...

Gregg Dorman is a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Real Estate group and has more than 35 years of experience representing sellers, purchasers, landlords, tenants, owners, investors, and developers on real estate transactions across industries and asset types, including retail, office, industrial, mixed-used, healthcare, entertainment, and sports venue projects. My focus I represent clients on all aspects of complex commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, ...

Having served as a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois and Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, Jack George is a valued leader who possesses a deep knowledge of real estate law. Jack focuses his practice on real estate, land use, and zoning matters. He is instrumental in shaping the Chicago skyline, and has worked on numerous notable development projects consisting of complex elements such as zoning map amendments, planned development applications, an...

Known for her diplomacy and practical problem-solving, Jessica Lingertat approaches each transaction with a steady, collaborative hand. Her clients—including large-scale developers entering competitive markets and construction lenders funding varied projects—value her ability to balance risk and reward, structure creative solutions, and help deals cross the finish line with minimal friction. Jessica steers financings and other transactions related to the construction, development ...