Neal & Leroy, LLC

Areas of Expertise

Civil Law: land use, municipal finance, labor and employment

Organization Profile

Neal & Leroy, LLC, one of the oldest minority owned and operated law firms in the United States, was founded in 1938 by Earl J. Neal, who was later appointed a Circuit Court Judge. Judge Neal’s son, Earl L. Neal, joined the firm in 1955. Together, father and son tried jury cases throughout Illinois, and quickly gained a reputation as distinguished trial lawyers. The practice burgeoned, and the firm expanded to become Earl L. Neal & Associates, LLC. Earl L. Neal’s son, Langdon D. Neal, joined the firm in 1981.

In 2005, the firm became Neal & Leroy, LLC in recognition of the firm’s expanded practice areas and the contributions of its dedicated and committed group of Managing Attorneys, Langdon D. Neal, Michael D. Leroy, Anne L. Fredd, and Richard F. Friedman. The Managing Attorneys are supported by an outstanding team of attorneys and staff who contribute significantly to the success and growth of the firm every day.

The firm’s practice is focused primarily in the areas of eminent domain/condemnation, labor & employment, litigation, public finance and project finance, real estate and real estate finance, zoning, development and land use, business reorganization and bankruptcy and construction law, although the attorneys of Neal & Leroy, LLC have successfully handled a wide variety of more specialized matters for the firm’s clients.
In all its endeavors, Neal & Leroy, LLC is committed to providing the resources necessary to meet the needs of its clients, no matter how large or small. Mindful of the firm’s genesis, and with respect for its history and the high standards it has always attained, Neal & Leroy, LLC pledges to provide superior quality legal services, while remaining sensitive to the issues of cost containment, accountability and the unique business concerns of each of our clients. Neal & Leroy, LLC is committed to meeting the needs of its clients by providing its attorneys and staff with all the resources necessary to meet the demands of today’s legal practice.

The firm is committed to maintaining sophisticated computer and telecommunications systems which allow the secure and rapid transmission of client information.

Additionally, the firm utilizes electronic networking capabilities to link together each employee of the firm to ensure effective communication and the efficient exchange of information. The firm is able to support the transmission and receipt of documents in all commonly used formats. Moreover, each attorney has secure remote access to the firm’s computers and telecommunication systems when out of the office. Whatever the situation, the firm is committed to advanced technology as yet another way to develop expeditious, meaningful solutions to the immediate needs of its clients.

Professional Background

Mr. Neal joined the family-owned firm in 1981, becoming the third generation of lawyers practicing in Chicago. He received his law degree in 1981 from the University of Illinois Law School and his undergraduate degree in 1978 from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Mr. Neal’s practice concentrates in eminent domain litigation, real estate, zoning and land use. Mr. Neal is a member of the trial bar of the federal court and is admitted to practice before the Illinois Supreme Court and the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois. He has also represented many major developers of downtown properties on zoning and land use matters.

Education/Awards

EDUCATION

  • University of Illinois Law School, J.D., 1981
  • Cornell University, B.A., 1978

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Supreme Court of Illinois
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Member of Trial Bar

AWARDS & SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS

  • Selection by Secretary of Defense, Federal Voting Assistance Program for Testimony before Subcommittee on Election, United States House of Representatives on Amendment to Internal Revenue Code and Title II of Social Security Act exempting Pollworkers from Social Security Contribution (1991).
  • Award of Outstanding Service to the Legal Community by Illinois Judicial Council (1992).

Appointment by Attorney General, Roland Burris, to Commission to Report on African American Males.

Business/Community Affiliations

Lecturer, American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers/ Lecturer, Cook County Bar Associate, Judicial Candidates Symposium/ Coordinated Advise and Referral Program For Legal Services/ Chicago Public Education Fund/ Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation/ Children’s Place Association/ Cole Taylor Bank, Board of Director/ The Support Group/ West DePaul Neighbors/ Chicago Historical Society/ Illinois State Board of Elections (Chairman 1991-1993)/ Chicago Board of Election Commissioners (Chairman 1997 - present)/ American Bar Association/ Illinois State Bar Association/ Chicago Bar Association/ Cook County Bar Association