Biography
Mr. Neal is a principal and owner of Neal & Leroy, LLC. He joined the family-owned firm in 1981, becoming the third generation of lawyers practicing in Chicago. Mr. Neal’s practice concentrates in real estate, zoning, land use, and public and private finance, employment and labor law. In both 2018 and 2019, Mr. Neal was named a Leading Lawyer in commercial litigation; government, municipal, lobbying and administrative law; land use, zoning and condemnation law; public finance law; and commercial real estate law.
Representative Matters
Represented Wal-Mart in site development and all entitlement work for the development of properties in Northern Illinois and Indiana.
Advised various municipal entities, boards, and commissions on governance, ethics, MBE/WBE compliance, and other organizational matters.
Commercial, Retail, Residential, and Industrial Real Estate Transaction Services including purchase and sale contracts for major financial institutions.
Represented Rush University Medical Center in closing of $100 million Public Finance Entitlement for construction of a new hospital.
Led the legal team in acquiring 600 parcels in connection with the expansion of Chicago O’Hare International Airport and CTA Orange, Brown, and Green line expansion and redevelopment.
Obtained a favorable verdict in the amount of $18 million on behalf of a client in an eminent domain trial.
Represented numerous Real Estate companies on developing plans and municipal finance including Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
Represents numerous property owners, major developers and governmental entities in land use, zoning matters, and project finance.
Education & Admissions
Education
- University of Illinois
- Cornell University
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar
Honors & Awards
2019 Earl Burrus Dickerson Awardee, Chicago Bar Association
2018 and 2019 Leading Lawyer , Real Estate, Public Finance and Zoning, Top 10 Attorney for Public Finance and for Land Use and Zoning
Crain’s Who’s Who in Chicago Business (2016)
Neal Family received 2016 Legendary Landmark Award (Legendary Landmark Neal Presentation)
Featured as a Leading Lawyer in Leading Lawyer Magazine (January 2016 Edition)
Featured in Best Lawyers 2016 Illinois Edition in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Listed as a Top Real Estate Attorney in Illinois (Super Lawyers Magazine Illinois 2009-2024)
Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award (2010)
Given by the Illinois State Bar Association General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section
High Jump, Richard J. Almeida Award (2010)
Professional Activities
- Chairman of the Chicago Board of Elections (1997-2015)
- Adjunct Professor of Law – University of Illinois, College of Law
- After School Matters – Board of Directors
- High Jump, Trustee Emeriti, Academic Enrichment Program
- Honorary Chair and Keynote Speaker, Mikva Challenge Foundation (May 2014)
- Moderator, Support the Voter, Joyce Foundation (April 2014)
- Lecturer, American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers
- Lecturer, Cook County Bar Association, Judicial Candidates Symposium
- Guest Lecturer, Virginia Tech University Chicago Studio Program, 2016 – 2018
- Black Ensemble Theater
- Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation
- Chicago Board of Election Commissioners (Chairman 1997 – present)
- Chicago Bar Association
- Cook County Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Bar Association