Atty. Douglas M. Ellis
Doug represents clients in a broad range of complex real estate and finance transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, financing, management and leasing of commercial, industrial, office, hotel and parking garage properties across the country, often in the context of portfolio transactions or joint ventures. His clients include both private and public entities, such as private real estate companies, publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and pension fund managers.
Profile Summary
About Douglas M. Ellis at a glance
Douglas M. Ellis is a real estate attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP. Admitted to practice in Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association. Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 1988) and State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A., 1985). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Leisure and Hospitality Law (2026). Serands clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Doug represents clients in a broad range of complex real estate and finance transactions, including the acquisition, disposition, financing, management and leasing of commercial, industrial, office, hotel and parking garage properties across the country, often in the context of portfolio transactions or joint ventures
- His clients include both private and public entities, such as private real estate companies, publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and pension fund managers
- A significant portion of his practice is focused on the retail shopping industry and assisting clients with properties ranging from small shopping centers and power centers to mixed-use developments and malls, including many of the largest malls in the country
- Many of his transactions have required the creation of sophisticated reciprocal easement agreements
- Doug is highly skilled at managing the various moving parts in complex transactions involving large property portfolios or significant single real estate assets
- These deals often present significant challenges, from requiring the creation of sophisticated reciprocal easement agreements, to obtaining financing (both securitized and non-securitized, and often involving the assumption of existing debt), to creating the appropriate deal structure and more
- Doug’s experience is a key factor in assisting his clients with successfully navigating and closing their transactions
- His clients refer to him as pleasant, practical, smart, responsive, and efficient
- They respect him for taking a practical approach to every real estate deal, protecting the client’s interest while eliminating potential hidden problems and getting the deal done
Practice Areas Explained
Douglas M. Ellis's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Douglas M. Ellis handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Douglas M. Ellis is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Illinois
Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
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