Leah A. Schleicher

Partner/Chair

Education

  • Fordham University School of Law (J.D., 1997)
  • Michigan State University (B.A., 1994)

Related Services

Schleicher, Leah A

Legal 500 Recommended Attorney

Leah is chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice group and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Hospitality and Leisure Practice Group. She develops legal strategies for clients, both real estate investors and clients in other industries who are heavy real estate users, in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions; mortgage and mezzanine financing transactions; commercial leases, hotel management and franchise agreements, co-living and property management arrangements; and entity structuring focused on operational and tax efficiency.

Leah’s nationwide practice covers widespread asset classes. Clients include institutional real estate investors, real estate developers, manufacturers, distributors, hotel owners, retailers and restauranteurs, and high net worth individuals. She simplifies the real estate transaction process for her clients by implementing a project strategy that is tailored to the individual client’s objectives and placing an emphasis on being nimble and proactive to both take advantage of opportunities that arise and avoid unnecessary complications.

Leah is a member of and previously co-chaired the firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. She is also a member of the Income Partner Review and Opinions Committees.

 

 

  • Represented multi-family property owner in acquisitions and dispositions of real estate nationwide and related financing transactions, including conventional mortgage loans and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.
  • Represented distributor in acquisition and development of real estate for distribution centers throughout the country.
  • Represented property owner nationally in acquisitions and dispositions of retail properties.
  • Represented real estate developer in nationwide dispositions of real estate, including office, retail and multi-family projects.
  • Represented hotel owner/operator in nationwide acquisitions and dispositions of owned hotel properties and in management agreements for managed hotels.
  • Represented real estate developer in joint venture arrangements in connection with community development projects in Illinois.
  • Represented retail property owner in securitized mortgage loan and mezzanine loan transactions.
  • Represented financial institution in foreclosures and workouts of real estate loans in Illinois.
  • Represented multi-family property owner in acquisitions of distressed debt secured by real estate.
  • Represented multi-family operator in connection with receivership and property management services for properties in foreclosure throughout the country.
  • The Best Lawyers in America, recommended in “Real Estate Law” since 2024
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, recommended in “Real Estate” since 2022
  • The Legal 500 United States, recommended in “Real Estate” since 2020
  • "Notable Women in Law,” Crain’s Chicago Business, 2020

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • Illinois