Practice Description
Steve Zaris has represented owners, tenants, developers, and lenders in real estate, lending, and other commercial transactions for over thirty years. With both large and small firm experience, he is able to represent effectively both institutional and entrepreneurial clients. The depth of his experience allows him to anticipate clients’ needs and bring about efficient resolutions.
Steve Zaris’s real estate practice encompasses the purchase and sale of office, industrial, retail, and multifamily assets. Recent transactions include representing the purchaser of a suburban office park in Indianapolis, Indiana, the seller of an Oak Brook, Illinois office building, and purchasers and sellers of several industrial facilities. Steve has also represented landlords owning over three million square feet of office space throughout the Midwest over the last few years. In addition, representing tenants of office, industrial, and retail properties is a large part of Steve’s practice, including the past representation of a global electronics manufacturer and a financial services firm on a national basis. Steve has significant experience in negotiating AIA construction and architect contracts, development agreements, easements, listing and management agreements, cell tower leases, and other real estate-related documents. He also works with other partners on real estate-related litigation, including foreclosure and eminent domain matters.
Steve Zaris has substantial experience representing both lenders and borrowers in a wide range of credit transactions, including general corporate lending with revolving and term facilities, construction loans, and other secured lending involving real estate and other asset classes.
Steve has represented corporate clients in connection with asset and stock acquisitions and sales, employment and employment termination contracts, organizational documents, and licensing and development matters.
Prior Legal Affiliations
Chapman and Cutler, Chicago, Illinois (1988 – 2001)
Partner (1992 – 2001)
Associate (1988 – 1992)
Schwartz & Freeman, Associate, Chicago, Illinois (1981 – 1988)
Bar Admissions
Illinois, 1981
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1981
Education
The University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan J.D. – 1981
Columbia University, New York, New York A.B. – 1978
Professional Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association, (Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section)
Chicago Bar Association, (Member, Real Property Committee)
Hellenic Bar Association, (Member, Board of Directors)