Barnes & Thornburg Adds Leading Real Estate Attorney in Chicago

CHICAGO – Barnes & Thornburg has added William Lewis as a partner in the firm’s Real Estate Department in Chicago. Lewis, who was previously at Reed Smith LLP, is the tenth partner to join the firm’s Chicago office in just over a year.

Lewis advises privately held businesses and individuals on legal and business issues across the real estate spectrum, but with a particular focus on office, industrial and retail: leasing; acquisition and disposition; and sale/leasebacks. He also regularly acts as project manager, facilitator, counselor, sounding board, problem solver, and issue spotter for his clients who require business-based legal skill, often involving other firm resources whenever appropriate.

“Bill has significant experience in virtually all aspects of real estate transactions and development,” said Donald Williams, chair of Barnes & Thornburg’s Real Estate Department. “His proficiency in these areas will serve as a wonderful complement to our capabilities on a national and international scale.”

Lewis has handled office, industrial, and leasing matters throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and in Asia, Australia and Europe.

Over the course of his career, Lewis has acquired and disposed of more than $700 million in commercial properties, many of which contained significant environmental issues. He also regularly counsels clients on the sale and leaseback of their real estate holdings, often focusing on “bet-the-company” transactions.

“This past year, we’ve added some of the most talented attorneys in the region and have expanded multiple departments, including our healthcare, intellectual property, corporate, labor and employment, environmental and litigation practices,” said Mark Rust, Chicago managing partner. “Bill’s arrival is further indicative of how we’re strategically growing as an office and as a firm.”

Beyond his law practice, Lewis provides pro bono services to several nonprofit organizations, which have included Habitat for Humanity, Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) and UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago (f/k/a United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago).

Lewis earned his J.D. from the Gonzaga University School of Law, and his B.S. from Marquette University.

With more than 600 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from 14 offices in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.