Neal&LeroyLLC

Michael D. Leroy concentrates his practice in the areas of eminent domain, real estate acquisition and development, disposition and redevelopment, municipal law and intergovernmental affairs.

 

In his over 25 years of practice with the firm, Mr. Leroy has served as a Special Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago and trial attorney on several historic land projects for local and state government entities including the nation’s largest tax increment financing plan and the nation’s single largest public works project. Mr. Leroy has also acted as a special lead trial counsel and as the special counsel to myriad public bodies including the Illinois Medical Commission, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Public Building Commission, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

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Mr. Leroy was named a 2019 Leading Lawyer in Land Use, Zoning and Condemnation Law and was featured in an article in the 2014 issue of Leading Lawyers. Mr. Leroy was also featured by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism.

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Representative Matters

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• Represents numerous public bodies in large, complex acquisition projects, such as acting as lead trial counsel for:

  • City of Chicago in connection with the North Loop/Central Loop Redevelopment Project, one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in the nation.

  • Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for the Tunnel and Reservoir Project, one of the largest public works project in the nation.

  • Illinois Medical District Commission, the nation’s largest urban medical center district, for its acquisition projects.

• Represents a Fortune 100 energy company in various permanent and temporary real estate acquisitions in eminent domain litigations

• Represented the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (“the District”) in a condemnation matter, successfully moved to change the valuation date pursuant to a recent 2012 landmark decision of the Illinois Supreme Court deferring the taking to the date of transfer of possession. This ruling extended the Illinois Supreme Court decision to include protection for a public body, securing a substantial savings for the District.

• Represented the Illinois International Port District (“Port”) in overseeing a complex leasing initiative which contemplates public and private partnerships that will change how the Port operates its facilities.

• Represented the Chicago Transit Authority in acquisition for the Brown Line Expansion.

• Represents smaller municipalities such as Markham, Hodgkins and Barrington, Illinois for its acquisition projects.

• Represents private condemnees, successfully challenging the governmental right to acquire and securing substantial awards.

 

Professional Activities

 

• Chicago Bar Association

• Chicago Foundling Home

• Illinois Supreme Court Commission of Civility

• Lecturer, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education

• Lecturer, Illinois State Bar Association

• Adjunct Professor, University of Illinois College of Law

 

Speaking Engagements

 

• Evolving Standards for Just Compensation

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