Robert Fernandez

Robert Fernandez advises clients on corporate and real estate transactions, with a particular focus on finance, acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, commercial leasing, and real estate development.

Robert, a nationally recognized real estate lawyer, develops strategic legal and business solutions for a variety of institutional lenders, investors, developers, landlords, and tenants. His work encompasses a range of complex transactions involving all types of asset classes and property types, including hotels and resorts, offices, life science and medical research facilities, industrial facilities, shopping center developments, multifamily developments, and data centers.

Robert regularly advises institutional lenders, including commercial banks and debt funds, as well as sophisticated owners and developers, in the negotiation of credit agreements and related security documents. His work spans the credit stack, including senior secured, mezzanine, and preferred equity financings.

Robert also represents institutional real estate investors in acquisitions and dispositions of commercial real estate, as well as in real estate joint venture transactions throughout the United States. Additionally, he represents both landlords and tenants in commercial lease negotiations, with a focus on large anchor and headquarter leases.

A creative and collaborative problem solver, Robert draws on his experience representing both sides in a deal to anticipate and overcome potential obstacles. He is ranked as a leading lawyer for real estate in Illinois by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Robert plays a prominent role in various community and professional organizations. He currently serves as Chairman of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, an agency that promotes economic development and tourism for the Village of Downers Grove in Illinois. He is also a Board Member of the Chicago Civic Federation, one of Chicago’s oldest civic leadership and government research organizations. Robert is also a fellow of both Leadership Greater Chicago, a civic leadership development organization, and the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

While studying at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Robert served as Note and Comment Editor for the Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business.