Known for her diplomacy and practical problem-solving, Jessica Lingertat approaches each transaction with a steady, collaborative hand. Her clients—including large-scale developers entering competitive markets and construction lenders funding varied projects—value her ability to balance risk and reward, structure creative solutions, and help deals cross the finish line with minimal friction.
Jessica steers financings and other transactions related to the construction, development and acquisition of offices, multifamily, industrial, retail and other large-scale properties. Her recent matters include:
- Representing single family and SFR developers in the acquisition and planning process for complex horizontal development projects
- Multiple industrial site acquisitions by national clients
- Complex construction financings and value-add loans
- Multi-site portfolio transactions involving the acquisition, disposition and/or financing of numerous properties.
- Transit-oriented development and vertical subdivision projects for multifamily and mixed use projects in Chicagoland area
- Sale-Leaseback Transaction for Restaurant Portfolio
In addition, Jessica serves as local Chicago and Midwest real estate counsel to national clients seeking on-the-ground due diligence, local legal opinion work and project guidance.
Deal Closer in Competitive Real Estate Markets
- To address clients’ competitive pressures, Jessica creates an efficient deal environment for her lender clients, which include traditional banks and other lending institutions with significant real estate portfolios.
- Jessica has earned a reputation within Chicago’s commercial real estate community as a practical deal closer who “finds practical solutions rather than causes [causing?] trouble,” as her clients say. Along the path to closing, Jessica secures the full range of protections for clients while preserving their important business relationships.
Midwest Real Estate Leadership
In addition to her representation of real estate lenders, Jessica also advises and counsels investors, developers, operators, landlords and tenants. Her 25-year career includes significant experience in mortgage and construction loans, asset-based lending, operating lines of credit and other commercial loans, including those involving complex distressed assets.
One of Jessica’s proudest professional moments has been helping new-to-market real estate companies successfully establish a foothold in competitive urban centers—a process that demands not just legal precision, but market insight, patience, and strategic guidance. That outward-facing mindset also defines her leadership within the firm, where she is committed to shaping the firm’s direction, fostering collaboration across teams, and developing the next generation of talent with the same steady, solutions-oriented approach she brings to her practice.
Jessica is a member of CREW Chicago, REFF, the Chicago Mortgage Attorneys Association, Professional Women in Construction and ULI. Jessica was recognized in the 2023 and 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America®. She has been recognized as a “Top Women in the Law” by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine and as a “Notable Women in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business for 2020, 2022 and 2024. Jessica was also named a “Notable Gen X Leader in Law” for 2019 and 2022 and was inducted into Midwest Real Estate News’ Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame in 2018.
