Kathryn Kovitz Arnold

Kathryn is co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice group and heads the firm’s Condominium practice group. She has previously served on the firm’s Executive Committee and Participation Committee. For more than 30 years, she has played a key role in shaping the landscape of many of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods and business communities.

Kathryn focuses in the areas of real estate development including commercial, residential, condominium, mixed-use, high-rises, restaurants, and vertical subdivisions and separations. She specializes in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and financing (lender and borrower representation). Her experience in real estate matters includes the negotiation of lease agreements, the acquisition and disposition of commercial properties, and negotiation of financing documentation for financial institutions and businesses. She also serves as local counsel for many out-of-state attorneys with respect to Illinois law matters.

In Chicago’s competitive rental market, Kathryn handles all aspects of condominium law, including development, conversion, and de-conversions. She is a renowned and sought after condominium expert and has served as lead counsel for the buyer on some of Chicago areas largest condominium de-conversions. Kathryn is regularly invited to present at conferences and seminars to address industry professionals on topics related to real estate and condominium development and de-conversion. She speaks for the National Business Institute at Condominium Law seminars. Additionally, she has been a guest lecturer at Kellogg School of Management and Illinois Institute of Technology. She has also drafted and consulted on new legislation and local ordinances regarding condominium law and administration. Kathryn is active with the Chicago Bar Association and served as chair of its Condominium Subcommittee for seven years.

Chicago’s Largest Condominium De-conversions

• 1400 N. Lake Shore Drive.
• 2 East Oak.
• Kennelly Square.
• Bel Harbour condominium.
• Clark Place Condominium.
• 10 E. Ontario.
• Woods at Countryside.

Condominium Projects and Mixed-Use Developments

• The New York Private Residences.
• River City Private Residences and River City Marina.
• The West Loop Lofts (10 property loftominium conversion).
• Four Lakes Condominium Homes in Lisle, Illinois (multi-phase conversion).
• Ravenswood Town Center.
• Reciprocal easement agreement for The John Hancock Building.
• Midtown Crossing Condominiums.
• Harper Court in Hyde Park.

Speeches

Moderator, Fourth Annual Deconstructing Deconversion Summit, hosted by Illinois Real Estate Journal, Oct. 13, 2021.

Speaker, Second Annual Chicago Women in Commercial Real Estate Summit, hosted by the Illinois Real Estate Journal, Jan. 21, 2021.

Moderator, CRE Forecast and Beyond… 19th Annual Chicago CRE Forecast Conference, hosted by the Illinois Real Estate Journal, Jan. 7, 2021.

Moderator, Third Annual Deconstructing Deconversion Virtual Summit hosted by Illinois Real Estate Journal, Sept. 15, 2020.

Moderator, 18th Annual Commercial Real Estate Forecast Conference hosted by Illinois Real Estate Journal, Jan. 9, 2020.

Moderator, “Deconstruction Deconversion Summit” hosted by the Illinois Real Estate Journal, May 29, 2019.

Member, Preliminary Investment Committee, Kellogg Real Estate Venture Competition, April 18, 2018.