Spring 2011 Center Events Recap

The Center held a variety of well-received programs in the spring 2011 semester. Read more about our Center and student events below.

Student Events

Real Estate Law Student Group Speakers

Under the leadership of Real Estate Law Student Group President Jeff Hulbert and Executive Board Members Christine Coates, Sheraz Darr, Geneva Garcia, Derek Humes, Tiffany Kay, Blake Korb, and Ericka Stawiarski, several high-profile attorneys and real estate professionals were brought to the John Marshall campus. In March, Mitch Lieberman, partner at Noonan & Lieberman, LTD., spoke about protecting creditor’s rights in a foreclosure proceeding. On April 7th, the Real Estate Law Student Group heard from TJ Sheahan, partner at Freeborn & Peters LLP, and Bryan Sullivan, managing director of commercial real estate investments at Origin Capital Partners, LLC, about mezzanine financing in real estate transactions.

CTA Site Visit

In February, John Marshall students visited the Chicago Transit Authority’s Headquarters at 567 W. Lake Street. Center graduate Dennis Mondero (LLM ’01), senior vice president and chief administrative officer at the CTA, discussed his career development and current position. Carole Morey, an attorney and vice president of infrastructure for the CTA, discussed the government financing of the CTA headquarters, and how that financing is affecting current-day leasing issues. The building’s manager, Jim Runnion of Transwestern, gave students information on the building’s sustainable features.

Navigating the Social Networking Web

Center Advisory Board Member G.A. Finch, partner at Hoogendorn & Talbot LLP, and Associate Director Heather Harper presented “Networking 104: Navigating the Social Networking Web” to a group of John Marshall students in February. Finch covered best practices for LinkedIn and blogs, while Harper touched on Twitter and Facebook. The program was aimed at educating Center students on the increasingly important role social media plays in the professional world. Finch and Harper talked about strategic uses of these tools for the real estate attorney.

Center Events

Demystifying Green Construction

Prior to the March Advisory Board Meeting, the Center hosted a program on green construction and development from multiple perspectives. Rada Doytcheva, (PhD, ALA, LEED AP, MPM) principal and head of design at RADA Architects, discussed green building from the architect’s perspective. Paul Todd Merrill (PE, LEED, AP, BD&C), director of sustainability construction at Clayco, Inc., discussed green building from the developer’s point of view. Margery Newman, attorney at Deutsch, Levy & Engel Chartered, addressed the value of green construction and represented the attorney’s point of view. The program was spearheaded and moderated by Advisory Board Member and Adjunct Professor Virginia Harding, of counsel at Gould & Ratner LLP.

Ethics and Professionalism in Commercial Real Estate Transactions

This third annual ethics event brought together the Center community for a lively discussion of relevant ethical issues in a transactional real estate practice. Advisory Board Members Janet Johnson and Virginia Hardingpresented material on multijurisdictional practices and engagement letters, respectively. Barry Alberts, partner at Schiff Hardin LLP, led a discussion of ethical and professional examples in real estate transactions. Tracy Kepler, senior counsel at the ARDC, gave an update on the latest ethical issue arising in real estate – ethical issues in loan modifications and short sales.

2010–2011 Graduate and Adjunct Faculty Luncheon

In April, the Center brought together graduating students and adjunct faculty members teaching in the 2010-2011 academic year. Graduates include: William Lite, Lauren Penn, Abdullah Salah, Stuart Allen, Mandy Ault, Matt Butler, Joe Calvanico, Jeff Hulbert, and Brandon Rogers. Congratulations 2010-2011 graduates!

Adjuncts teaching in the 2010-2011 academic year include:

Thank you 2010-2011 adjuncts!