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While certain awards may appear impressive at face value, they are not always indicative of an attorney’s skill, effectiveness, or commitment to their clients. Some awards are not merit-based but rather purchased or result from participation in a pay-to-play scheme, diminishing their credibility and value. Additionally, some organizations that offer these awards aren’t highly regarded...

In the fast-paced world of real estate, transactions can often feel like an endless flurry of papers, terms, and conditions. With significant financial investments at stake, it is essential to ensure every contract is legally sound and in the best interest of the client. This is where a real estate attorney comes into play. Having...

As commercial real estate brokers, your role extends beyond facilitating transactions. You serve as a guide, providing your clients with key insights into the complexities of the commercial real estate market. In today’s blog post we explore critical considerations to aid your clients in making informed commercial real estate investment decisions. Understanding Your Clients’ Investment...

This post first appeared in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in August, 2022 I was pleased to see the passage of Public Act 102-765 amending the Illinois Residential Real Property Disclosure Act, 765 ILCS 77/1 et seq., as it tightened up some of the issues we see when handling certain kinds of transactions, especially those...

This post first appeared in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in September, 2022. Earnest money, as we all know, is the consideration given by the Buyer to bind the purchase contract. It is often the subject of liquidated damages in the Attorney Review letter where parties seek to have the earnest money be the sole...

This post first appeared in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in December, 2022 In the right circumstances, I am usually in favor of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (“HECMs”), also known as Reverse Mortgages. With an HECM, the mortgagee takes the existing equity on a mortgagor’s property and converts that equity into monthly payments made to...

This post first appeared in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in March, 2023 For a variety of reasons, affordable housing has been a prominent theme lately. For the City of Chicago, it seems to be part of every major housing development. Many of the Chicago suburbs have discussions as part of any new development. The...

Two years ago, my life took an unexpected turn when my daughter found a lost dog while hiking in Arkansas. This seemingly simple event has become a metaphor for my law practice, as it represents the power of persistence and empathy in both caring for our rescue dog, Chip, and the manner in which I...

One crucial aspect of the home-buying process that often goes overlooked is sewer inspection. This vital step provides valuable insight into the condition of a property’s sewer system, which can reveal issues such as blockages, root intrusion, cracks, and other damages that may lead to costly repairs and potential health and environmental hazards. It’s important...

Nobody plans a divorce when they marry. Divorces can be messy, but selling properties before the divorce finalizes minimizes some of these complications. To get the most from your property now, at a value you can rely on, selling before the divorce finalizes is ideal. In today’s blog post, we discuss why it’s beneficial to...