JAFFE & BERLIN - Key Persons
Denise J. King practices in the area of employment, real estate and corporate law. She counsels employers on compliance with various employment and labor laws, assists them with litigation avoidance, and represents employers in employment litigation. Denise also handles commercial real estate and corporate transactions.
Her experience in employment matters includes:
Representation of companies in updating their employment policies and handbooks.
Elizabeth M. Shea focuses her practice on estate planning and probate, including the preparation of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Elizabeth's practice also includes the preparation of prenuptial agreements. In the probate area, Elizabeth handles the administration of probate estates, as well as guardianship estates for both minors and disabled adults. Elizabeth also counsels clients on various wealth management issues, including inter vivos gifts and business planning and organization issues. Her recent experience includes:
Representation of individuals of all income and asset levels in the preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney and various other estate planning documents designed to fit the client's specific needs
Providing assistance to clients in administration of probate estates from initial filing of opening court documents with Probate Court through all phases of probate administration
Successful representation of client in citation proceeding in Cook County Probate Court seeking to have assets returned to estate
Representation of numerous clients in the preparation and negotiation of prenuptial agreements
Representation of individuals seeking to have guardian appointed in Probate Court for elderly or disabled family members
), specializes in estate planning, probate, probate related disputes and counseling clients in wealth management strategies. Elizabeth brings over twenty years of experience in private practice serving clients, large and small, in these areas.
Frank W. Jaffe practices in the area of residential, commercial and industrial real estate transactions. Frank counsels developers in residential, commercial and industrial development, and buyers and sellers in commercial, industrial and residential real estate transactions including tax generated 1031 and TIC transactions. Frank also counsels clients in commercial leasing and financing transactions. His recent experience includes:
Representation of large retail commercial developer in multistate sale/lease back transactions representing sellers and buyers.
Representation of residential developers in the development or conversion of multifamily buildings.
Representation of billion dollar company in the securitization of business based loans in a multistate financing transaction.
Representation of individual investor in multi-million dollar 1031 exchange of investment property.
Representation of software company in acquisition and takeover of another company, including drafting stock purchase agreement and other relevant documents.
Representation of retail running shoe company in purchase of stock interest from majority shareholder.
Education
Northwestern University (B.A., 1982; J.D., 1986)
Frank W. Jaffe practices in the areas of real estate and corporate transactions with a focus on real estate development, tax law, commercial and residential transactions. Frank has been practicing real estate law for over 20 years, first with a large international law firm and in his own firm since 1988.
Jay S. Berlin specializes in personal litigation, his practice includes all areas of general civil litigation as well as commercial and corporate disputes including litigation for breach of contracts, breach of fiduciary duties and real estate matters for lenders, developers and condominium associations. Jay also practices in personal injury and workers compensation law. His recent experience in these areas includes:
Representation of retired Evanston teachers in a lawsuit regarding the retraction of pension benefits promised as an inducement to retire in a collectively bargained contract between the teachers and school district.
Representation of a minority shareholder of LLC in a dissolution and misappropriation action against the majority shareholders.
Representation of condominium association in action against developer for fraud and poor workmanship in construction.
Representation of a publicly traded company in a dispute with a vendor.
Representation of Midwest retail chain in vendor dispute.
Representation of property owner who was named in a mechanics lien suit for construction work done on a multi-million dollar parcel of land in Chicago.
Representation of an individual in action to obtain her interest in company she helped found after being forced out by her partners.
Representation of Commercial Real Estate broker in commission dispute.
Representation of family of decedent in medical malpractice case who died due to failure of physician to diagnose his ruptured appendix which led to his death.
Representation of man struck on head and neck due to falling merchandise at national retail chain and suffered a stroke as a result.
Representation of national debt collector to collect on past due accounts.
Jay S. Berlin specializes in personal litigation - all forms of general civil litigation that involves either individuals or small to mid-sized business. His focus is in the areas of litigation related matters including personal injury, workers compensation, corporate, commercial and contract based disputes. Jay has over 15 years of experience in private practice, representing clients in all types of litigation and disputes.
Mark S. Litner specializes in handling a broad range of commercial and residential real estate transactions and closings. He assists clients with purchasing, selling, leasing and financing real estate; resolving disputes between landlords and tenants; forming and structuring limited liability companies and other entities; and completing tax-free like kind exchanges of real estate. Mark also advises unit owners, homeowners, condominium and homeowners' associations, commercial property associations, real estate brokerage firms and property management firms on numerous business and legal issues.
Some of Mark's clients have included the following:
Representing buyers, sellers, property owners, landlords, tenants, investors, brokers and lenders in purchasing, selling, leasing and financing real estate.
Drafting and negotiating real estate contracts and related agreements; office, industrial, retail, medical, restaurant, condominium and residential leases; loan documents; and limited liability company operating agreements.
Representing the owner of three downtown Chicago office buildings in drafting and negotiating dozens of office leases and lease amendments from 500 sq. ft. to 50,000 sq. ft.
Representing a Chicago real estate investment firm with multiple private investors in acquisitions, financings, sales and like-kind exchanges of dozens of industrial and office buildings valued from $1 million to $75 million.
Representing landlords and tenants in enforcing leases and resolving lease disputes.
Representing middle market companies, family businesses, investors, business owners and entrepreneurs in buying, selling and leasing office buildings, retail strip malls and shopping centers, restaurants, apartment buildings and owner-occupied buildings.
Representing clients in general business planning and strategy and forming and structuring limited liability companies.
Education
Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1985
Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University,
Mark S. Litner specializes in handling a broad range of commercial, industrial and residential real estate transactions, including purchases and sales, leasing, mortgage loans, and landlord/tenant issues.
Rain Montero is an associate attorney at Jaffe & Berlin, where he focuses his practice in commercial litigation on both the state and federal level. Rain brings a wide variety of litigation experience to the table. He has represented clients in construction, civil rights, personal injury, land use and election disputes. Because not all issues can be resolved at the trial level, Rain also represents clients in both state and federal appellate courts. Rain has appeared and argued before the First District Appellate Court of Illinois. However, not only does Rain litigate claims, but as an attorney at Jaffe & Berlin, he is also able to assist clients in commercial and residential real estate transactions, in addition to corporate formation and contract negotiations.
Rain earned his Juris Doctorate Degree with a certificate in business law from the DePaul University College of Law. During his time at DePaul, Rain served as Student Board President of the Appellate Moot Court Society. Rain won First Place Champion and Best Respondent Brief in the Honorable William J. Bauer Moot Court Competition. He also placed in the semi-finals and won Best Respondent Brief in the regional New York City Bar Moot Court Competition. Rain has three CALI Awards for earning the highest grades in litigation-related coursework. At graduation, Rain was recognized with the Senior Student Award and inducted into the Order of the Barristers, which is a highly selective honorary society that selects eight (8) law graduates from each school based on exceptional oral advocacy and brief writing skills.
EDUCATION
DePaul University College of Law, (J.D., 2021)
Illinois State University, cum laude (B.S., 2018)
Joliet Junior College, (A.A., 2016)