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While at a standstill, evictions in Chicago have become overwhelmingly complicated. And with these new ordinances and, presumably, more changes ahead, it is essential to stay focused and informed. For more than 25 years, Erwin Law has been helping landlords stay up to date, avoid costly mistakes, delays and penalties, and protect their investments. For thoughtful guidance and counsel during these tumultuous times, call us at 773-525-0153.

  Planning how best to disburse your assets and responsibilities upon your passing can be complicated. With myriad government rules, regulations and nuances, it’s helpful to understand the basics before you begin. Upon death, all your rights and obligations instantly transfer to a legal entity referred to as an ‘Estate.’ Estate Planning, then, involves deciding […]

  Post-Shelter-In-Place: A Primer For Landlords – Part 4 in a Four-Part Series The ill-effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent Shelter-in-Place orders are becoming more and more apparent as they continue to trickle further down through our economy. Tenants unable to pay their rent are creating financial hardships for landlords working to pay their […]

  Post-Shelter-In-Place: A Primer For Landlords - Part One in a Four-Part Series We don’t know exactly when the Illinois Shelter-In-Place order will be lifted, but we can, and should, start preparing for it. And while the laws and situations are still changing, here are the most current answers to the most frequently asked questions: […]

Over the course of the past week, we have fielded dozens of requests for clarification on how property owners and homeowner associations can protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19 in the context of real estate showings. Because of the critical importance that social distancing plays in avoiding catastrophic levels of infected citizens overwhelming our medical […]

  The health and economic impacts of the Coronavirus epidemic will assuredly touch virtually every corner of the World before it is brought under control. And while the virus has many fearing for their health, it is casting a much longer and darker shadow over many sectors of our national and global economies. As voluntary […]

Important to owners, condominium associations, property managers and tenants, the law includes an amendment to the Illinois Condominium Property Act which allows condominium associations to place certain restrictions on the smoking of marijuana, both in common elements and in private units.

  Conflicts between owners are inherent in shared community living. And whether misconduct is a result of an owner’s natural personality or a result of medical conditions affecting that owner, the Association and its Board cannot simply turn a blind eye. As there may be a number of corollary issues to carefully consider -- rights […]

Conflicts between smokers and non-smokers in shared living communities is a common source of friction. Just as with noise complaints, resolution of these disputes often must be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Unless your association amends its Declarations to ban smoking completely, your neighbor is in her right to smoke within the confines of her unit. That does not mean, however, that she may necessarily do so to the detriment of her neighbors.

  Whenever a homeowner or condominium association is formed by a developer, it is established by virtue of a Declaration which is recorded with the County Recorder. That Declaration includes a schedule of all of the Units in the association and their corollary ownership percentage. These percentages are the common element ownership percentages allocated to […]

The new “Cook County Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance” creates hidden pitfalls that all existing landlords, as well as purchasers of multi-units in Cook County (except for Chicago, Evanston and other municipalities with home-rule landlord tenant ordinances), would do well to learn and avoid.

Governor Pritzker has again extended the eviction moratorium in Illinois through April 3, 2021. As has been the case over the past few months, Illinois landlords can only initiate the eviction process if: (1) a tenant poses a “direct threat to the health and safety of other tenants or is an immediate and severe risk to the Property” or (2) the tenant is not a “Covered Person” as defined under Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order. 

Erwin Law, led by senior litigation partner Dan Hawkins, prevailed in a hard fought matter in Cook County’s Law Division. A creditor, represented by a large, well respected Chicago firm. sought a personal judgment against our clients. The creditor had credit bid the full amount of its judgment at a judicial sale, which should have […]

While recently representing a contractor client in a mechanics lien claim, firm Partner Dan Hawkins came away with the best possible outcome: without having to even file a lawsuit, he recovered 100% of the client’s demand, including statutory interest – almost $70,000 – from the property owner.  

Erwin Law is thrilled to have played a role in bringing our client’s incredible vision to life; from early stage review of a lease with option-to-purchase, to representation through acquisition of this mixed-use multi-family property.

We’re proud to announce that our Founder Jim Erwin has joined the Northcenter Chamber Board, committed to help strengthen the vibrant Northcenter business community and promote the well-being of the neighborhood. You, too, can get involved with this dynamic and engaged community -- call 773-525-3609 today!

"Thanks to Dan for excellent representation … [and Jim] for taking this case in the first place, and for kindly walking me through a disorienting legal process the last several months. Your people and your clients are lucky to have you, and my family and I are grateful.”

James Erwin successfully procured repayment of a loan of over $340,000 from an out-of-state borrower that was years in default and had been ignoring the lender’s demands. With a strategic approach aligned with our client’s objectives, Erwin Law avoided litigation while still getting the debtor to repay the entire loan.

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Congratulations to our client, BEx LLC, a leading developer of FX trading solutions, on its successful collaboration with Northern Trust.  We’re pleased to have been a part of the legal team that worked to bring this major business advancement deal to fruition. We invite you to contact Erwin Law to discuss how we can help grow your company. Read […]