Practice Area
Utility & Water Infrastructure
Neal & Leroy’s infrastructure attorneys handle land acquisition, easement, and right-of-way work and general real estate representation for utility and water agencies across Illinois.
Our Utility & Water Infrastructure Practice
How We Approach Utility & Water Infrastructure
Water and utility infrastructure projects require legal counsel that understands how real estate, public finance, environmental regulation, and governmental approvals come together to move critical infrastructure forward. From system expansions and modernization efforts to long-term capital improvement programs, these projects often involve land acquisition, easement negotiations, eminent domain, permitting, regulatory guidance and coordination among multiple public agencies and private stakeholders.
Neal & Leroy represents water commissions, utility agencies, municipalities, and other public entities in the development, expansion, and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Our attorneys advise clients on long-term right-of-way acquisition programs, complex easement matters, regional water distribution systems, flood control improvements, stormwater management facilities, electric power and natural gas improvements and other public works projects.
Because these projects frequently cross jurisdictional boundaries and involve numerous property owners, regulatory agencies, and funding sources, they require practical legal guidance that extends well beyond any single area of law.
Drawing on our experience in real estate, eminent domain, public finance, land use and zoning and environmental law, and local government, we help clients navigate competing interests and regulatory demands, so infrastructure projects reach completion on schedule and within budget.
OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PRACTICE
- Utility and Water Right-of-Way Acquisition
- Easement Negotiation for Utility Systems
- Flood Control and Stormwater Infrastructure
- Infrastructure Project Finance and Development Coordination
Our Work
Representative Matters
A selection of matters handled by our Utility & Water Infrastructure team. Client identities are anonymized or withheld where confidentiality applies.
FLOOD CONTROL
Neal & Leroy served as outside counsel to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District on acquisition of over 150 residential and commercial property interests for the Addison Creek Channel Improvements Project and Harvey reservoir project, which addressed flooding risk to over 2,000 structures from Harvey to Northlake to Burbank.
Neal & Leroy served as outside counsel to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District on property acquisitions for the Melvina Ditch Reservoir Project, which addressed flooding in Burbank and Oak Lawn, and supervised relocation benefits for displaced individuals.
Represented the Material Service Corporation in construction of reservoirs for the Deep Tunnel storm runoff and flood control project.
WATER & UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Represent the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (JAWA), which supplies Lake Michigan water to a network of suburban municipalities.
The Team
Related Attorneys

Langdon D. Neal
Managing Member

Jeanette Sublett
Managing Member

Anne L. Fredd
Partner


