Atty. James Todd Mayer
James Mayer is a senior counsel in Nixon Peabody’s Real Estate group and focuses his practice on all aspects of real estate law, with extensive experience in retail, office, and industrial leasing. My focus I focus my practice on commercial real estate law, including all aspects of real estate acquisition, development, leasing, operation, management, and disposition.
Profile Summary
About James Todd Mayer at a glance
James Todd Mayer is a real estate attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Nixon Peabody LLP. Admitted to practice in Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association. Educated at Emory University (J.D.) and Emory University (M.B.A.). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law (2026). Serands clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- James Mayer is a senior counsel in Nixon Peabody’s Real Estate group and focuses his practice on all aspects of real estate law, with extensive experience in retail, office, and industrial leasing
- My focus I focus my practice on commercial real estate law, including all aspects of real estate acquisition, development, leasing, operation, management, and disposition
- My clients include real estate pension funds, investment advisory groups (for their own accounts and unrelated third parties), real estate investment trusts, national and international franchisors, financial institutions, commercial and residential developers, and office, retail, and industrial landlords and tenants
- My work also includes acquisitions of hotels, sports facilities development, and real estate finance
- I was one of the principal attorneys who represented Miami-Dade County in connection with the drafting and negotiating of the development, management, and operating agreements for the American Airlines Arena
- I also represented McDonald’s Corporation as lead counsel in negotiating its lease and relocating its world headquarters from the Chicago suburbs to the City of Chicago
- In addition, I represented the landlord in negotiating the lease to relocate the world headquarters of Caterpillar from Peoria to Deerfield, IL
- My practice also includes representation of clients on retail, office, industrial, and health care related leasing transactions, including the representation of the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois in connection with joint ventures with Simon Property Group, Brookfield Properties, and CBL in various retail leasing matters, including anchor tenant leasing
- I am regularly asked to speak on real estate related topics, in particular retail-related topics, at various conferences and events, including workshops and seminars for ICSC
- I am also a member of the planning committee for ICSC
Practice Areas Explained
James Todd Mayer's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James Todd Mayer 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.
James Todd Mayer 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.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about James Todd Mayer
Where is James Todd Mayer's law office located?
What practice areas does James Todd Mayer handle?
Where did James Todd Mayer go to law school?
How can I contact James Todd Mayer for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has James Todd Mayer received?
Practice Areas
Education
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.