The Real Estate and Community Development Group of Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger LLP is a cornerstone of the firm. Our attorneys have handled a broad range of real estate transactions – purchases, sales, leases, exchanges, financing, construction and development – while advising landlords, tenants, developers, lenders, borrowers, buyers and sellers. Our attention to detail and dedication to our clients’ needs has provided the foundation for more than three decades of successful real estate ventures.
Our Real Estate and Community Development Group focuses in four key areas: affordable housing and community development; private financing; commercial sales, acquisitions and leasing; and environmental initiatives.
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Douglas J. Antonio- (312) 704-2198
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Steven A. Felsenthal- (312) 704-2180
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Jacqueline D. Gibson- 312-625-7341
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Ronald B. Grais- (312) 704-2771
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David M. Madden- (312) 704-2177
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William F. McGuinn- (312) 704-2775
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Richard A. Sugar- (312) 704-9400
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Publications
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11/08/2019
Richard Sugar authors article entitled "Fixing Financial Planning Oversights - Get Ready for 2020"
In Richard Sugar's annual edition of "Spoonful of Sugar," Richard recounts his experience with clients and potential clients and describes the top ten financial planning oversights he has observed over the years.
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11/08/2019
Richard Sugar publishes article in Financial Poise entitled "Will an Unapologetic Tax Hike Affect Your 401(k) or IRA Beneficiaries?"
Richard Sugar recently authored an article describing the 2019 actions taken in both the US House and Senate to backdoor a tax hike on IRAs and 401ks by requiring accelerated payouts of retirement benefits. Click here to read more.
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09/24/2019
Brewbound Voices: Understanding Your Options in a Distressed Market — Alternatives to Filing for Bankruptcy
SFGH attorney Jack O’Connor recently authored an article for Brewbound, a leading beer industry trade publication, regarding alternatives to bankruptcy filings in a mature beer marketplace. The article, published in the “Brewbound Voices” column on the site, discusses specific strategies and alternatives for breweries in distress, citing recent examples of breweries opting not to file bankruptcy, and work to wind down their operations or otherwise continue their businesses by alternative means. The article provides an overview of asset sales, assignments for the benefit of creditors, receiverships, as well as other bankruptcy alternatives.
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06/03/2019
SFGH partners Henry C. Krasnow and Michael A. Brandess publish article in Family Business Magazine entitled “Helping Your Family and Business Through Challenging Economic Times”
The May/June 2019 issue of Family Business Magazine featured an article written by SFGH partners Henry C. Krasnow and Michael A. Brandess entitled “Helping Your Family and Business Through Challenging Economic Times.” The article provides advice for family business owners in times of financial distress.
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02/25/2019
SFGH Partner Adam Grais compares the tax benefits to real estate investors of 1031 Exchanges and the new Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds
SFGH Partner Adam Grais compares the tax benefits to real estate investors of 1031 Exchanges and the new Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds.
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04/03/2018
SFGH partner Doug Antonio has authored an article titled “Appropriation Act of 2018 Could Benefit Some Affordable Housing Credit Projects”
SFGH partner Doug Antonio has authored an article titled “Appropriation Act of 2018 Could Benefit Some Affordable Housing Credit Projects”
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04/11/2016
Douglas J. Antonio profiled in the January 2016 edition of Leading Lawyers Magazine - Real Estate Edition.
In "Doing Well by Doing Good in Taxation Law," Doug Antonio's Affordable Housing and Taxation Practices are profiled in the January 2016 edition of Leading Lawyers Magazine - Real Estate Edition.
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04/28/2015
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP assists in $270 million sale of national affordable housing portfolio highlighted in Wall Street Journal's "Deal of the Week"
On April 28, 2015, the Wall Street Journal published its "Deal of the Week" in an article entitled "Related buys affordable housing portfolio."
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01/16/2013
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP Named Among 2013's Top Ranked Law Firms by LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell®
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP has been named one of 2013's Top Ranked Law Firms across the United States by LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell®.
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01/01/2011
Ron Grais profiled for cover story of January 2011 issue of Leading Lawyers Magazine
In January 2011, Ronald Grais was profiled for the cover story of the January 2011 issue of Leading Lawyers Magazine.
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01/01/2011
Residential Real Estate in Bankruptcy
An overview over residential real estate bankruptcy including a discussion of relevant bankruptcy principles and an analysis of recent pertinent case law.
- 11/25/2006
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03/01/2004
Affordable Assisted Living, Creative Ways to Make it Work, Part II
In the second article of a two part series published in Commercial Mortgage Insight, Doug J. Antonio discusses programs to take advantage of the low-income housing tax credit program.
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03/01/2004
Affordable Assisted Living - Urban Land Institute
In this article published in Urban Land, Doug J. Antonio discusses the costs associated with developing and financing affordable living facilities in Illinois.
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02/01/2004
Affordable Assisted Living, Creative Ways to Make it Work, Part I
In the first article of a two part series published in Commercial Mortgage Insight, Doug J. Antonio discusses issues concerning housing problems facing an aging population such as local market conditions, the development of affordable assisted living facilities and waiver programs to reduce cost.
Speaking Engagements
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07/07/2021
SFGH Partner Christopher Cahill participates in webinar "Zoning & Land Use 101"
On July 8th at 2:00PM, SFGH Partner Christopher Cahill will participate in the webinar “Zoning and Land Use 101.” The discussion will address problems and opportunities the zoning and land use process presents, and purposes and strategies lawyers and developers might pursue. Of course context matters, e.g., an empty site in an empty area versus a site with environmental compliance issues in a heavily populated area. Who the other players are and what they want also bear upon any complex process. We will look specifically at the regulation of land use to promote affordable housing and environmental equity.
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08/22/2019
SFGH attorney Jack O’Connor to speak on webinar “Making Cash With Cannabis”
Today, SFGH attorney Jack O’Connor will be speaking on a live webinar titled “Making Cash With Cannabis” as part of the Financial Poise "Hot Topics 2019" series. In this webinar, Jack will discuss legal and regulatory issues with running a successful cannabis business.
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05/28/2019
SFGH attorney Jack O’Connor to speak on panel “Lust for Life: Cannabis, Casinos, and Technology” at this year’s TMA Mid-Atlantic Regional Symposium in Atlantic City, New Jersey
SFGH attorney Jack O’Connor will be speaking on a panel at this year’s TMA Mid-Atlantic Regional Symposium in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The panel, “Lust for Life: Cannabis, Casinos, and Technology,” will cover current trends and hot topics in the Cannabis and Gaming industries for attendees of this annual symposium. Mr. O’Connor will discuss legal and regulatory compliance issues for operators in the Cannabis space alongside fellow panelists Jonathan Havens of Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, and Joseph Lubertazzi, Jr. of McCarter & English LLP. The panel will be moderated by Stephen Gerald of Whiteford Taylor Preston LLP.
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05/06/2019
Bill McGuinn to speak on "Real Estate Leasing Dumbed Down - The Commercial Broker's Perspective" webinar
In this webinar, learn the type of documentation required to launch a syndication, what role security laws play in this process, the duties of the syndicator to its investors and the benefits and pitfalls of syndication.
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04/11/2019
SFGH partner Bill McGuinn moderates "Real Estate Investing 101 - Investing in Residential and Multi-Family Real Estate" webinar
Join SFGH partner Bill McGuinn on April 18, 2019, as he moderates "Real Estate Investing 101 - Investing in Residential and Multi-Family Real Estate."
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03/21/2019
SFGH Associate Jack O’Connor will moderate West LegalEdcenter/Financial Poise’s Webinar “Environmental Law in an Hour” as part of its 2019 series “One Hour Law School”
Join SFGH associate Jack O’Connor on April 16, 2019 as he moderates West LegalEdcenter/Financial Poise’s Webinar “Environmental Law in an Hour” as part of its 2019 series “One Hour Law School.”
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05/09/2018
SFGH is pleased to announce that William F. McGuinn will speak at an upcoming West LegalEd Center/Financial Poise webinar titled “Investing in Real Estate through Equity Crowdfunding."
On June 11, 2018, SFGH partner William F. McGuinn will speak at an upcoming West LegalEd Center/Financial Poise webinar titled “Investing in Real Estate through Equity Crowdfunding."
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04/09/2018
SFGH is pleased to announce that partner, Michael A. Brandess, will speak at a Financial Poise webinar titled “Commercial Real Estate – Acquisition and Development."
On April 24, 2018, SFGH partner Michael Brandess will speak at Financial Poise webinar titled “Commercial Real Estate – Acquisition and Development."
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04/05/2018
SFGH is pleased to announce that William F. McGuinn will speak at an upcoming West LegalEd Center / Financial Poise webinar titled "Investing in Commercial Property.”
SFGH partner William F. McGuinn will speak at a West LegalEd Center / Financial Poise webinar titled “Investing in Commercial Property” on April 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
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03/22/2018
SFGH partner William F. McGuinn speaks at Financial Poise webinar titled "Investing in Residential & Multi-Family Real Estate.”
SFGH partner William F. McGuinn speaks at Financial Poise webinar titled "Investing in Residential & Multi-Family Real Estate.”
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10/26/2016
William McGuinn moderates webinar on Investing in Multifamily Real Estate sponsored by Financial Poise
On October 26, 2016, William McGuinn moderated a webinar on investing in Multifamily Real Estate. The webinar focused on the pros and cons of being a landlord, while providing a basic overview about how to find and assess opportunities, obtain financing, negotiate a deal, and manage a multifamily investment. The accounting, tax, and legal aspects of being a landlord were also part of the discussion.
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09/08/2016
Bill McGuinn moderates webinar series on "Real Estate Investing 2016" hosted by Financial Poise and West LegalEdcenter
On September 8, 2016, Financial Poise and West LegalEdcenter announced that Bill McGuinn would moderate a four part series on real estate investing.
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08/20/2013
Bill McGuinn discusses Investing in Residential Real Estate at Financial Poise and West Legal Center webinar
Bill McGuinn discusses Investing in Residential Real Estate for webinar sponsored by Financial Poise and West Legal Center
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08/06/2013
Bill McGuinn speaks on Investing in Multi-Family Real Estate for webinar sponsored by Financial Poise and West Legal Webinar
Bill McGuinn speaks on Investing in Multi-Family Real Estate during Financial Poise and West Legal Webinar.
News
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09/11/2019
Chicago-based Tax Lawyer Steven A. Felsenthal selected as #2 Leading Personal Tax Attorney in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Magazine
Steven A. Felsenthal, a partner with Chicago-based Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger, has been named one of the top personal tax attorneys in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Magazine.
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09/04/2019
Ron Grais re-elected as Chairman of the Board for The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts)
Ron Grais has been re-elected as Chairman of the Board for The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts). After leading a year-long negotiation with the Chicago Teachers Union, representing the academic educators of the Chicago public contract school, Grais has accepted an additional term to assist in creating a successful union - administration relationship. SFGH congratulates Ron Grais for his continuous commitment to support ChiArts with his leadership and encouragement.
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08/29/2019
Henry Krasnow Rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger congratulates partner Henry Krasnow on being awarded the highest possible rating in both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards by Martindale-Hubbell.
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08/21/2019
Henry Krasnow recognized among the “Best Lawyers in America” for 2020
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger congratulates partner Henry Krasnow for his inclusion in the 26th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. Henry Krasnow has received this esteemed award for more than twenty years.
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07/25/2019
SFGH Partners Provide Pro Bono Assistance for Illinois Low Income Housing
In 2018, Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger LLP (SFGH) represented pro bono Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH). CPAH is a provider of community land trust financed low-income housing. CPAH was joining with Lake County Residential Development Corporation (LCRDC) and Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County (AHC) to strengthen the community resources that supported low-income housing in Lake County and northern Cook County. SFGH partners were instrumental in organizing and directing the combination to close it by the end of the year.