America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2008: Real Estate

Chambers & Partners has compiled its independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide — which is designed to reflect market opinion — contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.

In Chambers' 2008 review of national legal talent in the area of "Real Estate," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.

Chambers' comments:

Illinois Ranking: Tier 3

The Firm: This "wonderful and strong" 31-attorney department has a "great joint venture practice," according to interviewees. The team additionally acts for clients on portfolio acquisitions, REIT formations, management, leasing and secured lending transactions. It recently represented LaSalle Investment Management in the formation of a $3.5 million private equity fund, LaSalle Asia Opportunity Fund III.

The Lawyers: Stephen Tomlinson is a "standout lawyer who does a great job," according to sources. Splitting his time between the New York and Chicago offices, he advises clients on acquisitions, dispositions, multi-investor fund formations and REITs. He acted for GEM Realty Capital on a joint venture formation with Whitehall State Global Real Estate Partnership regarding the acquisition of three Sofitel Hotels located across the USA.

Clients/Work Highlights: The group recently acted for CenterPoint Properties Trust on the disposition of a portfolio of industrial buildings at O'Hare Airport, and acted for Kimpton Hotels on the formation of a joint venture with The John Buck Company to acquire and develop a high-rise hotel in Chicago.

Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2008 — www.chambersandpartners.com.