David B. Yelin is the managing partner of the Chicago office and is head of the office's real estate practice. He concentrates his practice on real estate law and focuses on commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Yelin has significant experience in acquisitions, development, financing and construction and build-to-suit office and industrial buildings. He also represents landlords and tenants in lease negotiations and has been involved in numerous multistate transactions involving the acquisition and disposition of commercial and industrial properties.

Mr. Yelin has represented financial institutions in lending, work-out and restructured loan transactions and borrowers in financing transactions. He has assisted developers with retail space leases and build-to-suit leases. Mr. Yelin has also represented clients before various municipal zoning boards and land use planning commissions in connection with planned unit development ordinances, zoning classification changes, zoning variances and special use permits.

Mr. Yelin is a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association, the Real Estate Committee of the Chicago Bar Association and the International Association of Attorneys and Executives in Corporate Real Estate. He also serves on the board of directors and the executive committee of the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.

A certified public accountant, he is a 1986 magna cum laude graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he served on The Case Western Reserve University Law Review, and a graduate of The University of Akron.

Representative Matters

Acted as counsel for a state university-related organization in development of $160 million proton research and treatment center that utilizes a linear accelerator to produce protons for targeted radiation treatments for cancer patients. Complex development involved a ground lease, project development agreements and project financing issues and solutions.
Acted as counsel to a regional health care systems provider in the development of a large ambulatory surgical facility with adjoining hotel for patients and visitors.
Acted as counsel to numerous corporate clients that developed their own offices, warehouses, retail outlets and industrial facilities. Handled all issues related to leasing, purchase and sales agreements, construction and development agreements, and related financing. Clients have included packagers, materials manufacturers, consumer products makers and retailers.
Represented many corporate clients in negotiation and completion of large leases for corporate headquarters, solving issues related to future expansion, contraction and termination options, as well as signage and control of common area space.
Represented regional bank in development of more than 45 branches with unique issues in shopping centers, retail buildings and other consumer-convenient locations. Solved problems relating to reciprocal easement operating agreements and associated maintenance, lighting, signage and operating issues.
Acted as counsel in charge of real estate-related due diligence for corporate mergers and acquisitions, handling issues arising from title review, landlord consents, re-financing or assumption of loans and other matters.
Represented companies in sales of large buildings (generally valued at more than $10 million) subject to collateralized debt obligation agreements or other covenants restricting defeasance. Handled negotiation and drafting of loan defeasance agreements allowing for substitution of collateral to enable sales.
Acted as counsel to real estate developers involved in the development and construction of urban high-rise offices and condominium buildings. For example, handled all issues and agreements relating to development of a 50-story apartment tower with parking facilities and a retail-services complex.
Represented a number of retailers, particularly in the outdoor recreation industry, in the acquisition and development of sites or bundles of sites suitable for operations.
Handled real estate-related due diligence associated with large asset purchase agreements for companies involved in metals and material production, packaging, healthcare and retail industries.
Acted as development counsel for companies in many industries that use build-to-suit leases and hire contractors to do turnkey development work in order to facilitate rapid development of offices, warehouses and other major facilities.

Professional Activities

American Bar Association
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
The Chicago Bar Association
- Real Estate Committee
International Association of Attorneys and Executives in Corporate Real Estate

Admissions

Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Education

Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 1986
University of Akron, B.S., 1979

Experience

Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2000-present
Jenner & Block, Chicago, Illinois
- Partner, 1986-2000
Certified Public Accountant, Ohio, 1982

Board Memberships

Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago

Honors and Awards

Named to 2006 "Leading Lawyers" list for Illinois, a statewide list of attorneys recommended by their peers
Named an Illinois Super Lawyer for 2006

Selected Publications

Author, "Constitutional Considerations Affecting the Methods of Exacting Union "Fair Share" Collective Bargaining Fees From Non-Member Public Employees," Detroit College of Law Review, Fall 1985

Selected Speaking Engagements

Presenter, "Contracting to Insure Payment," presented to Real Estate Professionals at Transwestern Commercial Services, April 10, 2007
Panelist, "Landlord and Tenant Hot Topics," Midwest Real Estate News Roundtable, October 28, 2004
Presenter, "The Basics of Synthetic Leasing," presented to Real Estate Professionals at Trammell Crow Company, February 27, 2002
Panelist, "License Issues Facing the Business Broker," Joint Conference of the Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries and the International Business Brokers Association, Inc., January 24, 2003.
Speaker, "Issues Concerning Real Estate and Broker Licensing in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana," meeting of the Northern Illinois Commercial Association of Realtors, Chicago, Illinois, November 19, 2002