Seth A. Kaplan's practice focuses on General Civil and Commercial Litigation and Real Estate law. Seth has represented individuals and businesses in general civil litigation and commercial litigation. Seth also has represented developers, builders, large and small corporations and individual business operators in the acquisition, disposition, leasing, zoning and development of real property. His recent experience includes:
Real Estate/Corporate Law
- Representation of land developers in the annexation, zoning and subdivision of a planned unit development that included issues regarding an annexation agreement, establishing special service area financing and disconnection.
- Representation of land owner in opposing rezoning by a municipality that sought to allow the construction of a seven-story facility in a neighborhood consisting predominately of single-family homes.
- Representation of purchasers and sellers in transactions involving commercial and residential real estate.
- Office leasing transactions for landlords and tenants.
- Representation of clients in connection with the preparation and negotiation of various commercial contracts.
- Advising clients regarding general business planning and forming business entities, including limited partnerships and limited liability companies.
Civil and Commercial Litigation
- 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 regional mortgage lender in breach of contract and foreclosure disputes with borrowers.
- Representation of sub and general contractors with regard to mechanic’s lien and other construction issues.
- Representation of partner in closely held corporation in dissolution and buy-out agreement.
- Representation of mid-sized national corporation in breach of contract suit case against vendor.
- Representation of contract purchaser or residential real estate in earnest money dispute with developer.
- Representation of commercial landlord in tenant dispute.
Education and Honors
- Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D., 2006)
- DePaul University (M.A., 1996)
- Colgate University (A.B., 1993)
Bar Admissions
Illinois, 2006
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2007
U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, 2007
Other Distinctions
Chicago-Kent College of Law, Dean's List; Moot Court Honors Society; Law Student Extern, District Court Judge Robert W. Gettleman, Northern District of Illinois; Law Student Extern, Magistrate Judge Morton Denlow, Northern District of Illinois; Environmental Law Clinic.
Memberships
American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association.
Attorney Articles/Presentations
- Author, "Illinois Land Trusts: Five Statutes That Can Compromise the Anonymity of Beneficiaries," Illinois State Bar Association Trusts & Estates Newsletter, June 2007.
- Author, "In Terrorem Clauses - Bark but no Bite," Illinois State Bar Association Trusts & Estates Newsletter, December 2006.
Personal
Before becoming an attorney, Seth was a college and high school English teacher for 7 years, and a baseball coach at Glenbrook North High School. He is married with two children and lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago. He currently volunteers as a youth coach and enjoys running, sports and cooking.