Loading



Jaffe &
Berlin

111 West Washington Street, Suite 900,
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Our Mission

Our Mission

For over 30 years, Jaffe & Berlin has been representing clients both large and small. While there is safety in numbers, at Jaffe & Berlin, we believe true safety comes from having experienced attorneys represent you and your business. Our attorneys are responsive, approachable, efficient, and provide responsible legal services in a cost-effective manner. Unlike many small firms, Jaffe & Berlin can assist with your individual or business needs in various areas of the law. Founded by Frank W. Jaffe and Jay S. Berlin, our firm boasts lawyers with large law firm backgrounds, extensive hands-on legal experience, and strong Chicago connections. This combination allows us to offer top-tier legal services to our clients. Many clients retain Jaffe & Berlin for both their business and personal legal needs. They understand that the legal representation and advice we provide, whether preparing a simple document or engaging in complex commercial litigation, is more than just words on paper or a voice over the phone. It means relying on professionals who have their best interests in mind. Visit our website for more information on Jaffe & Berlin’s practice areas, attorneys, and representative transactions. Founded by Frank W. Jaffe and Jay S. Berlin in 1994.


Practice Areas

Business & Commercial Law


Business & Commercial Law

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. Representation of startup businesses – assistance with incorporation documents, partnership agreements and other relevant documents.

Employment Law


Employment Law

Representing small and medium sized business at various administrative agencies, state and federal court proceedings pertaining to charges of employment discrimination and/or wage and hour violations. Drafting employee handbooks and corporate policies for a wide variety of employers. Drafting and evaluating confidentiality and non-competition agreements.

Commercial Litigation


Commercial & Real Estate Litigation

Representation of a small business owner in an action to recoup reimbursement for expenses he incurred when he had to relocate his small business because of a government public works project. Representation of a minority shareholder of LLC in a dissolution and misappropriation action against the majority shareholders.

Estate Planning and Taxation


Estate Planning and Taxation

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.

Personal Injury


Personal Injury

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 plaintiff in Federal Multi-District Litigation concerning eye injuries that allegedly arose from the use of Bausch & Lomb ReNu MoisturLoc.

Transactional Real Estate


Transactional Real Estate

Representation of Governmental Entity in the purchase and sale of real estate for public use purposes. Office leasing transactions for Landlords and Tenants. Representation of large retail commercial developer in multistate sale/lease back transactions representing sellers and buyers.

Real Estate Zoning and Land Use


Real Estate Zoning and Land Use

Representing developers and condominium associations in actions involving building code violations. Representation of a land developer in the annexation, zoning, and subdivision of a planned unit development.

Attorneys

Jaffe & Berlin has grown to meet the needs of its clients. The lawyers at Jaffe & Berlin have large law firm and government backgrounds, extensive hands on legal experience, and Chicago connections, all of which combine to help provide top tier legal services to clients.


thumb-image

Frank Jaffe

Founder & Partner

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.

thumb-image

Jay Berlin

Founder & Partner

Jay S. Berlin specializes in litigation related matters including breach of contract, corporate and shareholder disputes, B2B litigation, all aspects of commercial and residential real estate litigation, corporate and commercial contract-based disputes. Jay has over 33 years of experience.

thumb-image

Mark S. Litner

Transactional Real Estate

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.

thumb-image

Elizabeth M. Shea

Estate Planning & Probate

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.

thumb-image

Denise J. King

Employment & Real Estate

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.

thumb-image

Rain Montero

Commercial Litigation

Rain Montero is an associate attorney focusing his practice in commercial litigation. Rain has unique experience allowing him to highly effectively represent individuals in small disputes, in addition to large corporations involved in complex litigation. Rain primarily handles claims involving fraud, breach of contract, shareholder disputes and violations of the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). He has trial experience and has argued before the First District Appellate Court of Illinois.

thumb-image

Agnes T. Plecka

Municipal Law & Commercial Real Estate

AGNIESZKA (AGNES) T. PLECKA practices in the areas of municipal law including land use, zoning, licensing, and residential and commercial real estate transactions. Agnes represents clients in proceedings before planning commissions, city council committees, and zoning board of appeals as well as counsels sellers and purchasers on all aspects of residential and commercial property acquisition and disposition, leasing, and real estate taxation issues including valuation appeals and divisions.

Jaffe & Berlin, L.L.C.
111 West Washington Street
Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(P) 312.372.1550
(F) 312.372.2615