"While some bemoan the economy and its impact on the real estate market, I strongly believe that we have positioned our real estate practice to continue to expand and grow even in this challenging market," Friedman says. "We do this by having a very broad practice that includes currently thriving areas of expertise such as distressed real estate debt transactions; loan and lease workouts; land use entitlements; and smart growth, new urbanism, and green building initiatives designed to promote sustainability."

Friedman has worked in real estate and public law practice, advising public and private sector lenders, developers, investors and property owners in real estate acquisitions, dispositions, developments, zoning and land use matters. He's represented Illinois municipalities in real estate transactions and general local government law, which has led to roles as Lake Bluff Village Attorney, Assistant Corporation Counsel in Highland Park, and Assistant Village Attorney in Lincolnwood. Now general counsel to the Chicago Association of REALTORS and adjunct professor of Real Estate Law at Chicago's John Marshall Law School, Friedman received his B.A. from Allegheny College and his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law.

"Now more than ever our clients are requiring not only solid and experienced legal counsel, but creative solutions to business challenges and flexibility in billing and the process of delivering legal services," Friedman says. "I think we are on the cutting edge of a lot of these issues and it is demonstrated by our continued growth, both in terms of client development and in terms of our recent lateral hires from the real estate departments of other law firms in Chicago."