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Offices in Chicago & Homewood, IL
About Our Real Estate Law Firm
- 100+ Years of Combined Experience
- Same-Day Consultations
- Licensed Attorneys
A Few Words From Attorney Caroline J. Smith
"My passion for housing law is based on the foundation for serving the public which my father developed in my childhood. Landlords are the economic building blocks in our communities. Landlords, who maintain their properties in compliance with the local building codes and provide quality housing for families who are not capable of owning their own homes, help to increase property values and promote safe and secure neighborhoods.
Tenants drive the demand for housing in the city. A tenant's willingness to secure housing stock and to send their children to local schools are the individual building blocks to our communities. No tenant should live in a home that fails to comply with the local building codes.
As a law student at Georgetown University, I focused on public interest law. Today, I represent landlords and defend tenants in both commercial and residential evictions. My firm has handled over 7,500 eviction defense cases during my 26-year career.
Caroline J. Smith and Associates handles residential and commercial closings, commercial lease negotiations, residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance prosecution and defenses, illegal lockout cases, property damage cases, building code violation cases, condominium association cases and security deposit cases. We prepare termination of tenancy notices and demand letters for return of security deposits and for repair of problems in a unit.
Our of counsel and strategic partners handle family law, civil rights, collections, bankruptcy, employment discrimination and personal injury. We are a locally owned business. Call Caroline J. Smith and Associates for your legal needs and concerns."
Our Attorneys
Caroline J. Smith
President
Caroline J. Smith is the President of Caroline J. Smith and Associates. She represents landlords and tenants. She handles condominium litigation based on failure to pay assessments or breach of the condominium declaration and bylaws.
Ms. Smith has litigated over 7,500 eviction cases and handles both bench trials and jury trials. Ms. Smith is a highly skilled negotiator. She consults with landlords and tenants interested in learning about their rights and responsibilities under Illinois Law, and the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance, Security Deposit Laws, and housing issues regarding the Breach of the Warranty of Habitability and Property Damage. Also, Ms. Smith handles real estate closings and is a licensed title agent with Chicago Title Company.
Roberto Hernandez
Associate
Roberto Hernandez is a dedicated landlord tenant attorney. Roberto attended Loyola University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Science.
Before becoming an attorney, Roberto was in the medical field where he worked at an occupational healthcare clinic and was the Director of a Home Care Agency that placed Certified Nurse's Aides in the homes of the elderly. During this time, Roberto also worked as a paid on-call firefighter/EMT for the Aurora Township Fire Department. During his time as an emergency medic and firefighter, he learned to think on his feet and always be prepared, which are skills he continues to apply to his role as an attorney.
In 2013, Roberto joined the team at Caroline J. Smith and Associates. He has diligently represented both tenants and landlords in Cook, Kane, Will and DuPage counties. Roberto has settled multiple cases and fights to get the best outcome for his clients. He has conducted multiple bench trials and jury trials. Because the landlord tenant law in Illinois is fluid and continues to change, Roberto continues to review articles and read new case law to ensure that his clients are represented with the most up to date laws. Roberto is also fluent in Spanish.
Oscar Brown
Associate
Oscar Brown is a dedicated landlord and tenant attorney. He has been practicing over 15 years, since 2007. He also handles expungement cases, DUI Defense, and real estate closings.
Of Counsel
Louis Weinstock
Of Counsel
Louis Weinstock has been practicing law since 1977, specializing in landlord/tenant law for both sides, commercial and residential. He also practices creditor's rights, mortgage, and lien foreclosure, prosecution and defense, and RLTO actions both against and in defense of landlords.
Marian Neudel
Of Counsel
Marian Neudel has been practicing since 1977, working in family law, defense of civil disobedience, military and veterans' law, and landlord tenant matters. She has worked in several nonprofit and government agencies and in solo practice. Additionally, her work has included writing, editing, and teaching law related subjects at John Marshall Law School and Governor's State University. She has been admitted to practice in Illinois, the Federal Court of the Northern District of Illinois and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Jason Shimotake
Of Counsel/Strategic Partner
Jason represents landlords and tenants in eviction matters. He is the principal of the Shimotake Law Firm whose goal is to get you back on your feet. If you are filing for bankruptcy, Jason helps develop a customized strategy to get you back on your path to financial security.
Support Staff
Pamela D. Moreira
Senior Paralegal/Office Manager
Valoree Griffin
Paralegal
Sherry Tucker
Docket Manager
Alessandra Rios
Paralegal
Learn More About
Caroline J. Smith & Associates
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