Commercial Real Estate Services
Commercial real estate deals move differently than residential ones — bigger dollar amounts, more parties, and far more that can go wrong in the fine print. Lauren Jackson Law represents buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and investors in commercial real estate transactions from first offer through final closing.
Why Hourly Billing for Commercial Deals
We bill commercial real estate matters at competitive hourly rates rather than a flat fee. Residential closings tend to follow a predictable path, which is why we can offer flat fees there — but commercial transactions vary too widely for that model to work fairly. A straightforward lease amendment takes a fraction of the time of a multi-party purchase with financing contingencies, environmental review, and zoning approval. Hourly billing means you pay for the work your deal actually requires, not a one-size-fits-all rate that overcharges simple matters and undercharges complex ones. We’ll give you a realistic estimate up front based on the scope of your transaction.
Our Commercial Real Estate Services
Purchase and sale agreements. We draft and negotiate the agreement that governs your transaction, including contingencies, representations, and closing conditions tailored to the property and the deal.
Lease review and negotiation. We review and negotiate retail, industrial, office, and mixed-use leases for both landlords and tenants — including rent structure, CAM charges, renewal options, and exclusivity or use restrictions.
Title and survey review. We examine the title commitment and survey to identify easements, encroachments, liens, or other issues that could affect your use of the property, and resolve them before closing.
Due diligence coordination. We manage the due diligence process — coordinating inspections, environmental assessments, and document review so issues surface early, when they’re still negotiable.
Zoning, land use, and permitting analysis. We evaluate whether a property’s zoning supports your intended use and guide you through variance, rezoning, or permitting requirements with the local municipality.
Entity formation and structuring. We help set up the LLC, partnership, or other entity structure to hold and operate the property, with an eye toward liability protection and tax planning.
Lender, broker, and municipal coordination. We work directly with your lender, broker, title company, and local government offices to keep the transaction moving and avoid last-minute surprises at closing.
Commercial Property Types We Handle
We represent clients across a full range of commercial property transactions, including:
- Retail centers and standalone retail buildings
- Office buildings and office space leasing
- Industrial and warehouse properties
- Multi-family and mixed-use developments
- Restaurant and hospitality properties
- Raw land acquisition and development
- Investment property acquisitions (1031 exchanges and portfolio purchases)
Ready to Discuss Your Commercial Transaction?
Every commercial deal is different, and the right legal strategy depends on the specifics of yours. Contact us or call (847) 714-2866 to discuss your purchase, sale, lease, or development project.
Who we represent:
- Buyers and sellers of commercial property
- Landlords negotiating and enforcing commercial leases
- Tenants reviewing lease terms before signing
- Investors and developers structuring acquisitions and new projects
- Small business owners purchasing or leasing their first commercial space
Contact Me Today
847-714-2866
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What Our Real Estate Clients Say
“My fiancé and I have had the pleasure of working with Lauren multiple times for real estate transactions and estate planning, and she has been exceptional every single time. She’s very knowledgeable and is great at explaining legal terminology in an easy-to-understand fashion. Not only is she an excellent attorney, but her personable nature made our most recent home closing far more enjoyable than any I’ve experienced before. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lauren to anyone in need of an estate attorney!”
— Google
“I have hired Lauren for my last two real estate transactions. She is very professional, knowledgeable, organized, and reliable. She is always quick to respond to questions which is great. Lauren is easy to work with and super nice! I would highly recommend her to anyone!”
— AVVO
“I am happy to say that retaining Lauren Jackson to handle the legal aspects of selling my home was the best move I could have made. She was very knowledgeable and attentive through the entire process and her fees were very reasonable. You can’t go wrong choosing her for your legal requirements. Thank you Lauren! 😊”
— Google
How is commercial real estate different from residential real estate legally?
Commercial deals typically involve more negotiated terms, longer due diligence periods, entity ownership structures, financing contingencies, and zoning or land use considerations that residential closings don’t. There’s also no standard statutory attorney review period like there is for Illinois residential contracts, so the purchase agreement itself has to do more of the protective work.
Why don't you offer a flat fee for commercial transactions?
Commercial deals vary too much in scope and complexity for a flat fee to be fair to either side. A lease renewal and a ground-up development purchase require very different amounts of attorney time. Hourly billing ensures you pay for the actual work your transaction requires, and we provide an estimate before work begins.
Do you represent both landlords and tenants in commercial leases?
Yes. We represent both sides of commercial lease negotiations, though not in the same transaction. We help landlords draft enforceable, protective leases and help tenants understand and negotiate the terms they’re being asked to sign.
What's involved in commercial real estate due diligence?
Due diligence typically includes title and survey review, zoning verification, environmental assessment, review of existing leases or tenant estoppels, inspection of the physical condition of the property, and confirmation of permits and code compliance. We coordinate this process and flag issues while there’s still time to negotiate around them.
Do I need an entity to purchase commercial property?
Most buyers hold commercial property in an LLC or other entity for liability protection and tax planning purposes. We can help you determine the right structure and handle the entity formation alongside your purchase.
How long does a commercial real estate closing take?
Timelines vary widely depending on financing, due diligence findings, and whether zoning or permitting approvals are involved — anywhere from a few weeks for a simple purchase to several months for a development deal. We’ll give you a realistic timeline once we understand the specifics of your transaction.