Neal & Leroy celebrates 75th anniversary
Neal & Leroy, LLC (“Neal & Leroy”) celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. The firm traces its origin back to 1938 when Earl J. Neal began his law office in Chicago, IL. Earl J. Neal practiced law until 1962 when he became a Cook County magistrate and later an Associate Cook County Circuit Court Judge. In 1955, his son Earl L. Neal joined the firm working side-by-side with father handling trial work. Earl L. Neal accepted responsibility as principal after his father was appointed judge. In 1968, he formed, Earl L. Neal and Associates, and continued to handle trial work for the City of Chicago and other public agencies.
In 2005, the firm’s name changed to Neal & Leroy. It is believed to be the longest operating African-American owned law firm in Illinois. Langdon D. Neal, son of Earl L. Neal, began practicing with the firm in 1981 and is currently the firm’s principal and owner.Over the past seven decades, Neal & Leroy has consistently maintained a strong governmental and institutional practice performing legal services in all areas of real estate law including eminent domain, zoning and land use, tax increment financing, and real estate transactions, among others; and governmental and municipal affairs services.
The firm was instrumental in launching land acquisition and development of the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle Campus during the 1960’s. The firm also acted as lead counsel for the City in connection with the North Loop/Central Loop redevelopment project and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s Deep Tunnel project. The firm also worked on expansions at O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. Earl L. Neal, who died in 2005, still stands today as one of Chicago legal community’s most respected land use and municipal law attorneys.
The firm also currently provides legal services in practice areas ranging from litigation, construction law, public and project finance, and general corporate services to labor and employment, procurement and contracting, bankruptcy, and MBE/WBE business development programs.
George N. Leighton, retired U. S. District Court Judge in Chicago, joined the firm after retiring from the bench in 1987. Leighton, who turned 100 last year, worked at the firm until his retirement in 2011. The Cook County Courthouse at 26th Street and California was dedicated and renamed “The Honorable George N. Leighton Criminal Courts Building” in 2012.
Neal & Leroy’s managing members’ comments on what makes the firm unique are as follows:
“We have played a role in the infrastructure and growth of the City of Chicago for the past fifty years.” said Langdon D. Neal, owner and principal.
“We are a small firm with the ability to address small and big issues for small and big clients”, said Lenny D. Asaro, a current managing member who joined the firm in 1999.
“Our firm is unique in that we have participated in the development of public projects through our eminent domain practice in the Chicago metropolitan area in a very extensive way,” said Michael D. Leroy, a current managing member who joined the firm in 1970.
“We have access to a vast number of resources, briefs, and research, and young attorneys partner with older attorneys so to provide clients with high quality, cost-effective legal services”, said Jeanette Sublett, a current managing member who joined the firm in 1994.
Delivering exceptional client service, professionalism, and maintaining an unwavering dedication to the practice of law are among the core values that have allowed Neal & Leroy to prevail as one of Chicago’s premier law firms. For the past seventy-five years, Neal & Leroy’s objective has been to understand the needs of clients and effectively represent our clients. In every transactional or litigation matter, our attorneys focus on achieving clients’ desired results with a close eye on the business goals of our clients. Our clients know that we provide sound counsel and reliable, innovative services to achieve their goals. We will maintain this focus for the next seventy-five years and beyond.
In celebration of Neal & Leroy’s 75th anniversary, the firm plans to host a reception for clients and legal community members later this year.
For information about Neal & Leroy’s history, practice areas and key accomplishments, and plans for the future, visit www.nealandleroy.com and view the firm’s 75th Anniversary Video.