BUPD Law assists a wide range of clients in navigating through the complexities and nuances of real estate transactions in Chicago as well as, nationally and internationally. For more than 30 years, our attorneys have leveraged their knowledge and experience to guide and support our clients, including property and business owners, developers, investors, pension, hedge and private equity funds, family offices, syndicators, lenders, financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, and individuals, through growth, acquisition and development strategies as well as the management of risk involved in real estate deals.

Our real estate and corporate attorneys have the seasoned skills and industry savvy to provide clients with an array of real estate services from acquisitions and dispositions, to financing, mergers, and real estate development, restructuring and workouts. BUPD Law attorneys have the necessary skills to guide clients through complex and, at times, challenging business transactions.

With a diverse and extensive client base serving industrial, residential, condominium, hotels and hospitality, commercial, and mixed-use projects in both urban and suburban locations, we counsel our clients on a myriad of real property matters. Such matters include zoning, land use, property, and project development and redevelopment plans. In addition, our real estate group advises clients on real estate tax, real estate tax assessment appeal, and reduction matters.

We are proud of our proven track record and long history of successfully representing real estate developers and lenders, including private equity interests, construction loans negotiations, permanent mortgage, mezzanine financing and documentation. Our real estate and corporate services truly span the gamut of transactions associated with real property 

Acquisitions and Dispositions

We handle all aspects of real estate acquisition and disposition transactions, from the formation of partnerships and other types of companies to negotiating the range of necessary agreements, such as joint ventures, purchase and sales, as well as any related tax issues.

Development

We represent and provide guidance to real estate developers, investors, syndicators, lenders, financial institutions, insurance companies, pension funds, tax-exempt organizations, business owners, and individuals on a wide range of development projects from their beginnings to post-closing needs. We are aware of the economic factors involved in new projects, the importance of an open line of communication, and the demands of lenders and investors.

Condominium Law

Transforming a developer’s concept and inspiration into a thriving and profitable condominium requires sound knowledge and experience. Partnering with the right developers, owners, associations, lenders, receivers and unit purchasers from the start of a project through the final conversion is imperative for a developer to have a profitable project. We have successfully represented clients on mixed-use developments, including residential, hotel, retail, office, and parking condominiums. We also have significant experience with new construction and converted condominiums in various stages of development.

Our commercial leasing practice strives to provide timely, proficient, and extensive leasing support that our clients require. Our team approach to property management issues benefits and guides our clients through the cost control, negotiations and preparation involved in the leasing of retail, office, and industrial projects.

Hospitality and Hotels

We assist corporate and individual entities with their luxury hotels and resort properties through acquisitions and dispositions, development and operating agreements, and licensing and permitting. Other areas that arise when assisting hospitality and hotel properties are the sophisticated and complex issues of financing, equity/debt participation, securities and other federal disclosure requirements. We are knowledgeable in matters surrounding condominium hotels and timeshares as well.

With more emphasis placed on environmental concerns, our attorneys represent owners, developers, manufacturers, health care providers, utilities, and former military facilities with the environmental issues that occur from new and old projects. We are educated and experienced in state environmental laws, regulatory programs and permitting matters involving air, water and waste permits. From our largest corporate client to individual owners, we understand risk management and liability protection, compliance programs for Superfund and contaminated sites and cost recovery for Superfund Cleanups. We regularly represent clients in matters involving sustainability and alternative energy issues that are inherent in real estate projects. Our experience includes work on various green issues and many other environmental opportunities. Such work has dealt with carbon control and trading matters, which include reduction, sequestration, credits, offsets, federal, state and local government programs and incentives. Another environmental issue we cover when dealing with a real estate projects is sustainable development which includes green building certification, green leasing, energy efficiency, renewable and alternative energy options, payments for ecosystem services called “eco-credits,” and green maintenance. We also have substantial experience in the energy sector, concentrating on alternative and renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, biofuels and clean coal.

Land Use and Zoning

When dealing with any real estate project, a thorough knowledge for and understanding of the legal, governmental, and political conditions is paramount. We help property owners and developers obtain necessary planning and zoning approvals changes, and permits. Our attorneys have the breadth and depth of experience and aptitude to handle land use and development entitlements, permits and licenses, governmental financial assistance and other incentives as well as municipal government approvals and property and project development plans.

Financing and Investing

Our real estate and corporate attorneys represent lenders, borrowers and receivers with construction loans, mezzanine financing, and permanent and conduit mortgages. We have undertaken mergers, joint ventures, private equity and other structured finance options.

Receivership/Trustee

We help lenders, borrowers, and receivers/trustees manage a wide range of issues relating to bankruptcy and other financial alternatives including workouts and restructuring.

Tax Assessment

We represent corporate, partnership, and limited liability companies, joint venture arrangements and business ventures in a variety of industries including manufacturing, private equity, environmental, hospitality, telecommunications, IT, transportation and other commercial sectors. We assist clients with the tax implications associated with corporate and business entity formation, joint ventures, contracts and business operations, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, venture capital transactions, equity, debt, buy-sell, and shareholder matters as well as operating and other agreements.

Tax Controversies and Appeals

BUPD Law’s Tax Controversy practice includes the ability to represent clients in a variety of business matters, whether counseling clients during tax audits, pursuing administrative appeals of audit results, or litigating tax matters at the trial court or appellate court level. Clients hire BUPD Law because of our experience and ability to know how and when litigate tax matters.