Barnes & Thornburg Adds Real Estate Attorney in Chicago
Barnes & Thornburg has added William Lewis as a partner in the firm’s Real Estate Department in Chicago. Lewis, who was previously at Reed Smith LLP, is the tenth partner to join the firm’s Chicago office in just over a year.
In a release, the firm said Lewis advises privately held businesses and individuals on legal and business issues across the real estate spectrum, but with a particular focus on office, industrial and retail: leasing; acquisition and disposition; and sale/leasebacks. He also regularly acts as project manager, facilitator, counselor, sounding board, problem solver, and issue spotter for his clients who require business-based legal skill, often involving other firm resources whenever appropriate.
Lewis has handled office, industrial, and leasing matters throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and in Asia, Australia and Europe, the firm said.
Over the course of his career, Lewis has acquired and disposed of more than $700 million in commercial properties, many of which contained significant environmental issues. He also regularly counsels clients on the sale and leaseback of their real estate holdings, often focusing on “bet-the-company” transactions, according to the release.
Lewis provides pro bono services to several nonprofit organizations, which have included Habitat for Humanity, Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) and UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago (f/k/a United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago).
Lewis earned his J.D. from the Gonzaga University School of Law, and his B.S. from Marquette University.
