James C. Brescoll
James C. Brescoll
James C. Brescoll is a Partner with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on representing commercial real estate and commercial real estate finance. He also has extensive experience drafting and negotiating retail, office, and industrial leases for both landlords and tenants, with a specific focus on retail leasing involving shopping-center owners and tenants. Brescoll is a member of the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations and the Urban Land Institute. He earned his B.A. from Columbia University and his J.D. from DePaul University.
Erin Lynch Cordier
Erin Lynch Cordier
No bio available.
William J. Dorsey
William J. Dorsey
William J. Dorsey is a Partner at Blank Rome LLP in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on high-stakes commercial finance, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and executive compensation and non-compete disputes. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers (2012 – 2022) and as a Notable Gen X Leader in Accounting, Consulting, and Law by Crain’s Chicago Business (2022). Mr. Dorsey received his B.A. from Claremont McKenna College and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.
Lawrence C. Eppley
Lawrence C. Eppley
Lawrence C. Eppley is a Partner of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in hospitality. Eppley is a Law 360, Hospitality Editorial Advisory Board Member (2016 – 2023) and Chair of the Board of Directors of Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center/1871, a nonprofit that operates an incubator that provides programming and services for entrepreneurs and start-ups. Eppley earned his B.S. from the University of Illinois, his M.A.S. from the University of Illinois, and his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law.
R. Kymn Harp
R. Kymn Harp
R. Kymn Harp is a Shareholder and member of the Executive Committee at Robbins DiMonte Ltd., in Chicago, and has years of service as Chair of the firm’s Business and Real Estate Transactions Group. Harp has over 40 years of experience representing investors, developers, business owners, and other stakeholders in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions and development. He is a frequent presenter at IICLE^® programs and ISBA programs on topics related to commercial real estate, and he is the author and moderator for www.Harp-OnThis.com, a commercial real estate and business blog. Harp has received awards and recognitions including the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review (Rated AV – Preeminent, for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability), a multiyear selection as an Illinois Super Lawyer, and the Illinois Lincoln Award for Excellence in Legal Writing. He is a member of the Illinois, Indiana, and New Mexico State Bar Associations, and is an appointed member of the Illinois State Bar Association Real Estate Law Section Council. Harp earned his B.A. from Wabash College and his J.D. from University of Illinois – Chicago (John Marshall Law School).
Thomas C. Homburger
Thomas C. Homburger
Thomas C. Homburger has written for this handbook for more than 35 years and has written for numerous journals, including the ABA Real Property, Probate, and Trust Journal and The John Marshall Law Review. He has lectured for organizations including the Institute of Real Estate Management, the International Real Estate Institute, and the American Land Title Association and is an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School. He earned his B.A. from Columbia University and his J.D. cum laude from Columbia University School of Law.
Jennifer L. Johnson
Jennifer L. Johnson
Jennifer L. Johnson is a Partner with Zanck, Coen, Wright & Saladin, P.C., in Crystal Lake, where she focuses on real estate, general civil litigation, and construction/mechanics liens. Johnson is Past President of the McHenry County Bar Association and Recipient of the Prairie State Legal Services Pro Bono Award in 2018. She received her B.A. from Marshall University and her J.D. cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (now known as Western Michigan Law School).
Karl L. Marschel
Karl L. Marschel
Karl L. Marschel is a Partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in commercial real estate, brownfield redevelopment, and public finance. Marschel earned his B.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his J.D. from Washington University School of Law, where he was the Associate Managing Editor of the Journal of Law & Policy.
Susan I. Matejcak
Susan I. Matejcak
Susan I. Matejcak is a Partner at Quarles & Brady LLP, in Chicago, and focuses on real estate. Matejcak is a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and Past President of the Chicago chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW). She was a Bisnow Power Women Chicago Honoree in 2022. She received her B.A. magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University, where she was a member of the Sigma Tau Delta honor society. She received her J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, where she was Editor of the Law Journal.
Joseph R. Podlewski, Jr.
Joseph R. Podlewski, Jr.
Joseph R. Podlewski, Jr., is in private practice with Podlewski & Hanson P.C., in Western Springs. Podlewski represents clients on a wide variety of environmental matters (including contested matters in state and federal court) and has appeared before numerous environmental agencies. He also provides advice and counsel to clients on environmental issues arising in commercial real estate transactions. He is a member of the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations. He is Past Chair of both ISBA’s Environmental Law Section Council and the CBA’s Environmental Law Committee and was appointed to the Governor’s Small Business Environmental Task Force in 1994. He was selected as both an Illinois Super Lawyer and Leading Lawyer and was featured in 2013 in Chicago’s Legal Leaders as among the “Top Rated Lawyers in Chicago” in the practice areas of environmental law and land use. He earned his B.A. from Northern Illinois University and his J.D. with honors from IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he was a Lead Articles Editor of the Chicago-Kent Law Review.
John M. Rafkin
John M. Rafkin
John M. Rafkin is a Partner with Jones Day in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in real estate finance. Rafkin represents individual lenders, bank groups, agents, and borrowers in single-and multi-asset financings of commercial real estate. He is experienced with all types of real estate, including office, retail, student and senior housing, multi-family and industrial, and has particularly deep experience with hospitality financing. His practice often focuses on the workout of troubled loans, including complex, multi-tiered loan restructurings, deeds-in-lieu, debt for equity swaps, bankruptcy, deficiency notes, and other settlement structures. He has been included in the U.S. edition of THE LEGAL 500 since 2010. He received his A.B. cum laude from Harvard University and his J.D. cum laude and Order of the Coif from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
David P. Resnick
David P. Resnick
David P. Resnick is a Shareholder at Robbins DiMonte, Ltd., in Chicago, and has over 22 years of experience overseeing commercial real estate transactions. He provides legal counsel in all facets of commercial real estate business, including the acquisition, sale, financing, operation, and development of hotel, industrial, office, multifamily, retail, and mixed-use properties as well as the formation of real estate ventures and related strategic matters. Resnick maintains a robust commercial leasing practice in which he counsels owners, tenants, retailers, and hospitality firms in leasing matters across all sectors. Resnick received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
Michael J. Roth Jr.
Michael J. Roth Jr.
Michael J. Roth Jr. is a Partner at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, in Chicago, where he is in the firm’s Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group and concentrates his practice in real estate. Roth earned his B.A. from Truman State University and his J.D. from Washington University School of Law.
Joseph B. VanFleet
Joseph B. VanFleet
Joseph B. VanFleet is a Managing Partner at Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC in Peoria, where he concentrates his practice in business litigation. He is a member of the American and Illinois State Bar Associations and the American Inns of Court. Mr. VanFleet received his B.S. with high honors from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
Brian P. Welch
Brian P. Welch
Brian P. Welch is an associate at Partner at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C., in Chicago, where he focuses on insolvency, bankruptcy, and restructuring. He was named a Rising Star in Bankruptcy by Super Lawyers in 2016 – 2025, one of 40 Under 40 Attorneys to Watch by Law Bulletin Media in 2025, and an Illinois Emerging Lawyer in Bankruptcy & Workout Law. Mr. Welch received his BS from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and his JD cum laude from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

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Commercial Landlord-Tenant Practice 2023 Edition

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James C. Brescoll

Erin Lynch Cordier

William J. Dorsey

Lawrence C. Eppley

R. Kymn Harp

Thomas C. Homburger

Jennifer L. Johnson

Karl L. Marschel

Susan I. Matejcak

Joseph R. Podlewski, Jr.

John M. Rafkin

David P. Resnick

Michael J. Roth Jr.

Joseph B. VanFleet

Brian P. Welch

Commercial Landlord-Tenant Practice 2023 Edition