About Chris

Practical and business-focused real estate and commercial finance counsel 

Christopher DeMent practices in the areas of corporate and real estate law. With clients including real estate investment funds, jet fuel consortiums, waste haulers, closely held corporations, and charitable and not-for-profit institutions, Chris advises on:

  • Real estate purchases and sales
  • Real estate financing
  • Joint ventures
  • Commercial finance and creditor’s rights
  • General counsel for middle-market businesses

Chris works closely with clients both to understand their businesses and to develop legal and business strategies focused on their priorities.

Experience in Action

  • Advising on real estate transactions, including acquisition, financing and disposition of commercial real estate.
  • Advising on commercial finance and creditor’s rights.
  • Serving as general counsel to middle-market businesses, addressing their day-to-day contractual, operational and strategic issues.

Successes

  • Represented a real estate investment fund with over $1 billion in assets in its acquisition, financing and divestiture of commercial properties in a dozen states.
  • Negotiated and documented fuel system leases and related documents for jet fuel consortiums in Arizona, Georgia and Florida.
  • Represented a jet fuel consortium in the issuance of $40 million in bonds to finance its expansion and redevelopment of the jet fuel delivery, storage and distribution system at a Florida airport.
  • Represented a capital partner in joint ventures to develop and operate continuing care retirement communities and light industrial buildings in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
  • Established jet fuel consortiums for facilities in Arizona and Tennessee, including the drafting and negotiation of organizational documents and interline agreements.
  • Represented a seller in the disposition of its $80 million retail shopping center in California.
  • Represented a waste hauler in the negotiation and documentation of one of the largest waste hauling contracts in Illinois and related disposal agreements.
  • Represented a closely-held business in the extension of its $75 million credit facility.

Professional Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers in America® (2018-present: Real Estate Law)
  • Illinois Super Lawyers® "Rising Stars" (2008-2010, 2012, 2008-2010: Real Estate)

Professional & Civic Activities

  • Leading Lawyers Network, member

Selected Presentations/Publications

  • Panelist, Practising Law Institute ("PCI"), Eighth Annual Commercial Real Estate Institute (2006, Chicago)
  • Panelist, PCI, Ninth Annual Commercial Real Estate Institute (2007, Chicago)
  • Panelist, PCI, Tenth Annual Commercial Real Estate Institute (2008, Chicago)

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Education

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