Fast-Growing Benesch Adds Real Estate Associate in Chicago

As Benesch continues expand its presence in Chicago, the firm is pleased to announce that associate Michael Ward has joined the firm’s Real Estate & Environmental Practice.

Ward advises clients on wide variety of legal issues involved in corporate and commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, construction and financing. Ward focuses his work on providing clients with critical advice prior to term sheet execution, negotiating deal documents and advising clients through closing and post-closing matters. 

“The firm is adding to our real estate practice, continuing our growth in response to the needs of our clients,” said Jeffrey J. Wild, who chairs the firm’s Real Estate & Environmental Practice Group. “Michael adds to the depth of our team, sharing the same philosophy that drives all of our work: that what is best for the client is what is best for the deal.”

The hiring of Ward reflects continued momentum for Benesch, which has been growing aggressively in Chicago and expanding its national footprint as part of a strategic plan launched by Gregg Eisenberg, the firm’s Managing Partner and Executive Committee Member, in 2015. 

In all, 60 attorneys have joined the firm in the last 18 months, which has also seen the opening of a San Francisco office and the expansion of practices including class action litigation, intellectual property litigation and labor and employment.  Since making its debut on the AmLaw 200 list in 2016, the firm has advanced 15 places and is currently ranked at number 180.

Ward graduated magna cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2012 and cum laude from Ohio University in 2009.