JANUARY 2019 LEADING LAWYERS MAGAZINE REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION & ENVIRONMENTAL EDITION

THE TOP REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION, ENVIRONMENTAL, AGRICULTURE, ENERGY, PUBLIC FINANCE AND PUBLIC UTILITIES LAWYERS IN ILLINOIS THE GEORGES Shaping ’s Skyline Father/daughter team is respected for their honesty, integrity and hard work

FEATURING: ARNIE MALK SARAH SHAW TOM BOYLAN JEFF YOUNGERMAN PAUL KELLEY AS WELL AS 16 OTHERS AND TOP 10 & 100 LISTS

ALSO, EMERGING LAWYERS PRACTICING REAL ESTATE- RELATED AREAS OF LAW

LEADINGLAWYERS.COM AKERMAN LLP

THE Navigating Their Clients Through the GEORGES Complexities of Urban Redevelopment

by Mike Bailey

In the bewildering world of urban the redevelopment business. developments in the country and what we redevelopment, one Chicago law firm has a “Our company has used Jack George for consider ‘a village in the heart of the city.’ demonstrated track record of getting a project over the past 20 years,” says Joel Carlins, co- “We also are currently developing Vista, over the finish line. That consistent and CEO of Magellan Development. “I am a which will be the third tallest residential reliable performance is not achieved by guile, developer and an attorney since 1960. Our development in Chicago consisting of 101 but by adherence to a set of principles and a company has retained Jack for virtually all of stories, all of which have had the assistance reputation for honesty. our development in the city of Chicago. Several of Jack, with respect to various requirements It has taken years, but Jack George and have had a number of complexities, which were including all zoning and most governmental his daughter and protégé, Meg, have helped uncommon to most of our past developments. approvals required. I consider Jack also a very establish Akerman LLP as one of the premier He always has been able to assist us in obtaining good friend and can attest to his qualities of real estate development law firms in Chicago. reasonable solutions and approvals.” truth, ethics and integrity.” The George family dominates redevelopment Jack’s projects are behemoths, often rising law in Chicago, advising on massive and above the city skyline or reshaping prime SMART AND WELL RESPECTED complex projects that have shaped the growth real estate along some of the most famous Meg handles her clients with the same and expansion of Chicago and will influence it boulevards in the country. comprehensive scope as her father. One well into the future. “We have, during that time developed project that has occupied some of her busy What makes it all work is that Meg and Jack approximately 40 mixed-use residential schedule is the new Time Out food hall and are not only complementary business partners developments with an aggregate of about market planned for 916 W. Fulton St. That but they also deeply respect each other and 15,000 residential units, hotels, commercial venture is part of Time Out magazine’s cultural work in harmony to create more value than and retail uses,” Carlins adds. experiences, launching in Chicago and other either of them could alone. “Our Development is cities next year. The market will feature a mini- Jack established his reputation over many approximately 27 acres of land, pre-zoned, recreation of 16 top restaurants as identified years through the successful completion of with a flexible formula for use, and it enables by the editors of the magazine in a 50,000 countless projects in Chicago and is considered us to develop approximately 10 million square square foot renovated building. In addition to the premier attorney in his field by many in feet of mixed uses. It is one of the largest urban the restaurants, the plan calls for three bars, a

This article originally appeared in Leading Lawyers Magazine—Real Estate, Construction & Environmental Edition for 2019 and has been reprinted with permission. ©2019 Law Bulletin Media demonstration kitchen and a retail area. provides a framework to create healthy, highly from preservationists, neighbors and the That project required a delicate touch, Meg efficient and cost-saving green buildings. architectural community. It was all part of the says, because of the effort needed to preserve “Meg is a superb attorney who has skillfully job for the Georges. as much of the West Fulton Street building as represented our organization through various “The plan (at Union Station and adjacent possible, even though its condition had badly real estate-related matters ranging from property) called for 1.5 million square feet of deteriorated. Because her clients don’t cut environmental to land use and development,” office space, a large parking structure, a hotel corners to rush through a project, Meg says, says Jason Feldman, CEO of Green Era and retail space,” Jack says. While the structure project developers took down the building Sustainability. “Meg guided us through a could support the seven-story apartment brick by brick and rebuilt it to be as unobtrusive complex process of working with the city of building atop the iconic building, neighbors and historically correct as possible. Chicago and IL/US EPA to remediate and and historic preservationists were not impressed. “L3 Capital has worked with Meg for about redevelop a brownfield site for an innovative “There were landmark (status) issues,” Meg four years on several projects throughout renewable energy project.” says. “They (developers) wanted a residential Chicago,” says Whitney Robinette, a director development on top of the building, but at of L3 Capital, a real estate investment firm and SAME WORK ETHIC, PRINCIPLES community meetings (where the plan was developer of 916 W. Fulton. “Meg is extremely But Feldman says Meg also was more than explained) it was clear that was not going to be knowledgeable about the city of Chicago land just a transactional attorney. “She took a acceptable to the community and, therefore, use laws and really makes an effort to work genuine interest to learn about our project and to 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly. So, with her clients so they can understand them provide our team with insightful guidance and that part of the plan was abandoned, and it as well and so they can be adequately prepared successful results. Meg has worked with us for will now just include a hotel.” to meet deadlines,” Robinette says. over four years, and we know we can trust her The reworked plan now calls for an addition And, she says, Meg shares many of her to get the job done well. She is smart, sharp to the station’s historic 1925 headhouse father’s attributes. “She is incredibly smart and a great legal asset. We’ve been lucky to building—the upper levels of which will and well respected in her field. She makes an have her on our team,” he says. house two hotels with a total of 400 guest effort to really get to know her clients not only Even among family members whose rooms and office space for Amtrak. Set back on a business level but on a personal level as personalities and methods are compatible, from the edge of the rooftop cornice, the new well. She takes time to fully understand working together can be awkward or, in penthouse level will attempt to mesh with the the scope of our projects in order to help us extreme cases, uncomfortable. That issue existing building’s architectural style and will achieve our goals. never arose, says Jack. not be visible from street level, planners say. “Her attention to detail, strong “It is not awkward at all,” he says. “We share The latest proposal will create a hotel communication skills, guidance and the same vision of the law, the same sense of entrance on Jackson Street, add retail offerings professionalism make her unique in her field. culture (at Akerman), the same method of to Clinton Street, and relocate valet operations I have really enjoyed working with and getting practice. And we both seek to be properly to a space within the building. The traffic to know Meg over the years and admire her prepared for each case we handle. We just management plan was tweaked to reduce drop- for her genuine personality, ability to balance meshed. We share the same work ethic.” offs on Adams Street, another compelling issue work and motherhood at the same time and Meg agrees, saying that she never felt she the Georges had to address. her skill set in the land use field.” had to prove herself or compete in any way Increased density at any site creates The Georges have a similar career arc. Both with her father’s legendary status in Chicago. additional traffic. In a city in which the flow of grew up in Chicago. While Meg did attend St. “It’s never been like that. We work together traffic is already difficult to manage, adding a Ignatius College Prep, Jack is a Life Trustee to formulate the best strategy. No one is better hotel, office space and more retail can have an there. Both graduated from Xavier University than my father by the way he prepares. He incredible impact. in Cincinnati, and both earned law degrees reads everything, every document. I emulate Meg says the Chicago Department of from DePaul College of Law. Meg, however, (his methods) and admire the way he treats Transportation and a traffic engineer had to took a slightly more circuitous route to her people and his ethics. Everyone is treated the sign off on the project after ensuring that other final destination. same, from the clients to the office staff.” businesses and residences in the community “I loved economics and art and design,” “We don’t work together on the same project would not be adversely impacted and that she says. In fact, she graduated from Xavier often,” Jack says, “and so she can help me streets and intersections could handle the with degrees in both but was drawn to law. with practical solutions. I respect Meg’s view anticipated increase in the volume of vehicle As she pondered a career choice, she heeded of a project, and I ask her advice. She made and pedestrian traffic. advice from colleagues who told her that a a great reputation on her own (before joining But that was just one hurdle. Community transactional attorney in real estate law has Akerman). We’ve never had any difficulty. We meetings were held to address safety issues, much more control over a schedule than a have the same ideas and the same goal — the lighting, cosmetic impacts of the buildings on litigator, a facet that appealed to her. need to solve a real estate problem.” the neighborhood and historic preservation After clerking for Justice Anne Burke And together or separate, the pair has solved concerns. as a summer associate, Meg went to work many complex and daunting challenges, such “We even had to address the geocode for for a prominent Chicago law firm. “I did as the development of Chicago’s historic Uber pickup at the site,” Meg says. public buildings, police and fire department Union Station. Jack points out that obtaining final approval complexes, a library and a school,” she recalls, Riverside Investment & Development, of that project, and in fact any project, depends as well as sustainability projects that are Convexity Properties, and architecture firm on listening to what those most affected have LEED certified. Leadership in Energy and Solomon Cordwell Buenz put forth initial to say and trying to work out any objections. Environmental Design is the most widely plans to redevelop that prime site with a In Chicago, and particularly in the Loop where used green building rating system in the hotel, office and retail space and a 404-unit there are many architecturally and historically world. Available for virtually all buildings, apartment building atop the current structure. significant structures, another layer of sensitivity community and home project types, LEED That last item drew considerable opposition to preservationist concerns is paramount.

This article originally appeared in Leading Lawyers Magazine—Real Estate, Construction & Environmental Edition for 2019 and has been reprinted with permission. ©2019 Law Bulletin Media Development, can attest to that. “Two of Jack’s greatest assets as an attorney are his integrity and likeability. Since Jack has such a stellar reputation for his honesty, he commands the respect of both clients and city officials,” he says. “This respect translates into action since everyone knows if Jack says something that it must be true,” he explains. “Jack also has a very calming demeanor which adds to his effectiveness. He and his team are very adept at figuring out where the potential obstacles are on a given project and are very helpful in determining potential solutions. Jack has been so prolific in land use in the city of Chicago that he has just about Jack George’s family at Cape Cod in 2014. From left: younger son Michael (Cushman Wakefield seen every potential issue and knows how it broker), Meg George, granddaughter Grace (now 6), Jack George, wife Mary Jo, grandson Jack was resolved.” (now 8), older son John (AON insurance), daughter-in-law Katie, granddaughter Sophia (now 6) Jack’s background provides him with an outstanding depth of experience. He served Some buildings are designated “orange redevelopment of Union Station. as a former assistant attorney general for the buildings,” meaning they are or may be of “The zoning (needed) for that project was state of Illinois and as an assistant corporation historical significance, Jack says. “The building very difficult. Jack handled that for us. He counsel for the city of Chicago, so he knows may have unusual or distinctive architecture. handles all of our development projects in the how important that trust is. Someone who wants to develop it comes to city of Chicago.” “Our word is our bond,” he says. “We us and we determine, for example, whom the O’Donnell says Jack and the rest of the know the staff in these various departments, architect was. If it is a Burnham building (after Akerman firm have adapted well to the and we have a good relationship with them. seminal Chicago architect Daniel Burnham), changing landscape of redevelopment and its They rely on us to tell them what is going on it might be designated as a landmark, which complex issues. and to be truthful in our presentation as we limits what a developer can do to the facade “Downtown is more urbanized now,” he seek their advice and approval. We are much and the roofline.” says. “The central business district has many more open and transparent so that when the It is often advantageous to have a building more residents than 25 years ago when there community voices concerns, we can work with designated with landmark status, he says, even were no voters living downtown. Zoning the developer to address them before going to though it limits the kind of development then was so much easier to obtain. Now, we the city council.” and rehabilitation that can occur. Parking have to be much more sensitive. Aldermen requirements are often waived, and taxes may are counting votes. We must comply with the TAKING TIME TO COMMUNICATE be reduced. goals of the ward.” He says it is not uncommon to spend But O’Donnell says that is the price of doing 18 months on meetings with various city KEEPING TRACK WITH SPREADSHEETS business in a growing urban area like downtown departments and community groups, making Any issues raised along the process are relayed Chicago. “That’s just the process, and Jack changes before proceeding to the next to developers and architects who modify plans handles all of it with a polite temperament. phase of the development approval process. to address the issues before the Georges attempt He has been around so long that he has access Community meetings are some of the most to move the project forward through city and the ear of (city officials and departments). important, the Georges say. committees on its way to the full city council People trust him, and that makes (the process) “The property owners get notices of for approval. That process can take months. easier if you do what you say you are going to proposed zoning changes and public hearings To keep track of where the process is and do. Everybody believes what he says.” on the plans,” Meg says. “We are in direct what needs to be accomplished, Meg says And that, says Meg, is the hallmark of their communication with those residents.” they keep a spreadsheet noting the various practice. “We have a good reputation for being Jack agrees. “We handle that, not associates. departments and due dates for completed trustworthy,” she says, “and our clients are as If there are questions at those hearings, we work. Navigating city departments like well. We won’t represent people who aren’t. answer them.” planning, land use, preservation and others in “We have to work with people in the fire After the issues such as traffic, stormwater which approval is key to success can be difficult. department, for example, (to ensure fire runoff, compliance with the American But Meg and Jack agree they have an excellent service won’t be impacted by a development), with Disabilities Act, pedestrian safety, working relationship with everyone in those or ensure stormwater runoff is accounted for, preservationist concerns and a myriad of other offices because they are straightforward and or that people with disabilities can access the issues large and small have been addressed and honest about every aspect of the plan at issue. site. The people who review the plans we bring plans altered, the work is not done. John O’Donnell, Chief Executive Officer them trust us.” Balancing all of those things is challenging, of Riverside Investments and Development, O’Donnell says his firm has now worked with but vital, Meg says. “This is not a 9 to 5 has worked with Jack for more than 20 years. Meg on one project and that she also inspires job. Clients call us with emergencies as we He says their first project together was the the same trust. “She takes after Jack,” he says. “I get close to the hearing before the planning development of several blocks along Michigan admire the same things about her as I do Jack. I commission. We are constantly revising plans Avenue and a few blocks to the west, a project am very comfortable with her integrity as well.” as we get emails from the aldermen with new even larger and more complex than their David Carlins, president of Magellan issues or concerns.”

This article originally appeared in Leading Lawyers Magazine—Real Estate, Construction & Environmental Edition for 2019 and has been reprinted with permission. ©2019 Law Bulletin Media “We might be here until 10 p.m. the night a 22,000 square foot landscaped river walk and , the iconic Michigan Avenue before the hearing, answering emails and a 66-foot high arcade and below-grade parking structure that once housed offices of the contacting developers to make last minute and loading. The project is estimated to exceed and WGN radio. The first changes,” her father agrees. $500 million. phase of the more than $1 billion project calls In some developments, Meg says properties For 444 North Dearborn/Engine Company for 163 condominiums at Tribune Tower to be need to undergo an environmental assessment 42 Firehouse, the firm represented Friedman occupied in 2020. Next door they propose a to determine if there is contamination that Properties in a public-private partnership with 1,422-foot high-rise with 700 residences and must be remediated, such as in the case of the city of Chicago. Friedman is replacing a 200 hotel rooms. Construction on the new the Chicago Public Library, one of the many Chicago Fire Department firehouse with a tower is tentatively scheduled to start in 2019. projects Meg shepherded to completion. brand-new state-of-the-art fire station. To Lee Golub of Golub & Co. is working closely Her portfolio leans heavily to public do that, he entered into a redevelopment with Jack on the deal. projects and green and sustainable agreement with the city. The existing firehouse “In Chicago, it’s not easy to navigate (through developments, including experience with real will be transferred to Friedman, who will then the maze of city committees and regulations) estate and municipal law matters including construct a new office tower in its place since and deal with the various aldermen,” Golub the acquisition, and sale and development the developer owns the rest of the block on says. “Jack has great relations with every of real estate, land use and zoning, licensing, which the existing firehouse sits. This was an alderman we’ve ever had to deal with. He has permitting, subdivision, and other real estate opportunity for the developer to contribute to a gentle way about him that allows people to matters. She also serves as managing partner of the city by constructing the firehouse, making like and respect him,” a quality Golub says is the Chicago office. a substantial monetary payment to the city, and invaluable. In her career, she assisted clients in obtaining utilizing unused development rights associated “Not only does he have all the (municipal over $1 million in USEPA Brownfields grants with the other buildings on the block he owns challenges) but he also has to deal with the and IEPA Revolving Loan Funds. She also made for a new proposed office tower. The project community. In almost any new development, presentations before various zoning, planning required a redevelopment agreement with the people won’t like it. They’ll say it’s the worst and landmark commissions in Chicago and city and planned development approval. thing ever. People can get very aggressive in various suburban boards and commissions. For the Old Chicago Post Office, he these public meetings, but Jack has a gentle “Meg is a skilled zoning attorney who represented a client to secure the entitlements way about him and is still able to get his point deeply understands the ins and outs of across. He is very disarming. I’ve known zoning rules, regulations and politics him for 25 years, and he’s almost like in Chicago,” says Shannon Donnelly, a father figure to me. He respects my COO of the Chicago Collegiate ideas and I respect him.” Charter School. Meg is a skilled zoning attorney The Georges enjoy spending time “She was also so helpful to me as together. Jack and Mary Jo, his wife a layperson in making sure I knew who understands the ins and outs of zoning of 39 years, and children John and exactly what she needed and when, rules, regulations and politics in Chicago.” Michael, along with Meg and her and how to navigate the process. We daughter, Grace, 6, visit the family’s needed to rezone a manufacturing summer home in Wisconsin and travel building for general use, which can be across the country and the world. very challenging, but Meg made everything to renovate the property and construct Meg is a serious runner, competing in the easy for us, and we got the results we needed three adjacent high-rise towers. This project Boston Marathon and ultramarathons that when we needed them.” also included negotiation of the release of can exceed the standard 26-mile run by several But her service doesn’t stop there, Donnelly an 80-year-old building restriction over miles. She is also the head of the firm’s wellness says. “I’ve had questions or required documents the Eisenhower Expressway to create the program and, on occasion, will bake healthy from her since then, and she’s consistently development site, which includes 1,200 hotel zucchini bread, avocado toast and other healthy been responsive, kind and supportive. I truly rooms, 6,750 residential units, 800,000 square snacks for the 90 people in the firm. enjoy working with her and feel like she is a feet of retail space and approximately 4,500 But as Chicago and particularly the Loop part of our organization’s team.” parking spaces. experience tremendous developer interest, the For Wanda Vista, he represented Georges have little in the way of spare time SIGNIFICANT CHICAGO DEVELOPMENTS Lakeshore East LLC on a highly complex these days. That suits them just fine. Jack has a long and storied career with land entitlements approval process for the At the end of the day, the Georges say, while fingerprints on many of Chicago’s largest and construction of the 1,200-foot Wanda the goal is to get the project done, it is also most recognizable developments. Vista Tower in Chicago, currently under about the process of achieving that aim. For 150 North Riverside Plaza, he represented construction, with 410 condominium units “We work with people (in the various city Riverside Investment & Development in the and 210 hotel rooms. The work included of Chicago departments) who want to help us approval of a 53-story office tower measuring an amendment to the existing Planned move this project forward. They never say, ‘No 747 feet in height and containing approximately Development, an amendment to the existing way,’” Jack says. 1.2 million square feet of office space, 25,000 Lakeshore East Master Plan, an approval under “We work with some really fantastic square feet of retail/restaurant space and 77 on- the Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance, people in those offices. We also work with site parking spaces. the vacation and dedication of public rights of the alderman and his staff, residents and For 110 North , he represented way and air rights, various easements for a new business people because we all care about the The Howard Hughes Corporation in the roadway system, and the expansion of Upper community,” Jack says. approval of a 55-story office tower with a height Wacker Drive. The total development cost is “All we have here is our reputation, and we of 830 feet containing approximately 1.65 $1 billion. want to be known as people who work hard to million square feet of office and retail space with He is also working on the redevelopment of get it done.” n

This article originally appeared in Leading Lawyers Magazine—Real Estate, Construction & Environmental Edition for 2019 and has been reprinted with permission. ©2019 Law Bulletin Media