Janet Wagner

Leveraging her comprehensive commercial lending and secured transaction experience at all phases of a loan or credit facility, Janet drafts documents that reflect the parties’ intent in precise, transparent language that is comprehensive and comprehensible in equal measure. In addition to laying the foundation for a successful transaction through well-crafted documentation, Janet’s practical guidance includes anticipating lenders’ needs during onboarding and implementation and preparing them for any regulatory audits or exams that may arise.

In addition to real estate and commercial lending, Janet advises lenders on documenting loans secured by unique collateral, including boats. She also handles commercial transactions and corporate matters, counsels clients on the day-to-day operations of businesses, reviews and negotiates contracts and other business documents and advises clients on corporate governance matters and the choice of entity. Janet’s work with not for profit companies includes representing the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago, a not for profit comprised of former professional football players who volunteer to support Chicagoland causes and charities.

Janet has been a fellow of the prestigious American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA) since 2024. Formed in 1974, ACMA is comprised of lawyers in North America who are authorities in mortgage law. ACMA fellows share a commitment to giving back to their profession, improving and reforming laws and procedures affecting real estate-secured transactions and raising the level of performance of lawyers practicing in this area. Fellows have distinguished themselves as practitioners in real estate mortgage law through their skills and practice experience, knowledge, professionalism and related accomplishments.

Active in firm activities, Janet currently serves as a Women-Helping-Women ambassador and was previously a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Council and the Website Committee.

• Led a transaction team representing a credit union in a $39M loan to a Delaware statutory trust borrower to acquire a condominium student housing property with a ground lease in Texas. Negotiated documents; resolved title and survey issues involving a “phantom” easement running under the improvements.
• Led a transaction team representing a credit union in a $10M loan to a private equity borrower acquiring an RV park in Oregon. Negotiated documents; resolved title and survey related to tidewater issues and lots with discrepancies with real estate tax numbers.
• Led transaction teams representing a credit union in numerous note-on-note transactions to various private equity borrowers.
• Led transaction teams representing a credit union in numerous transactions involving assignments of prior loan documents to effect tax savings for borrowers on properties in Florida and Tennessee.
• Led a transaction team representing a credit union in a $30M loan to a borrower to refinance a multifamily development in New York state. Drafted and negotiated documents including those assignments and other instruments required for tax savings under New York law in consultation with local counsel.
• Led a transaction team representing a credit union in a $32M loan to a private equity borrower to refinance a multi-family development in Alabama in which borrower separately acquired the ownership interests of the fee owner of the property resulting in a continuity of the entity in title.
• Led a transaction team representing a credit union in a $35M loan to a private equity borrower to refinance a mixed-use development in Alabama in which borrower separately acquired the ownership interests of the fee owner of the property resulting in a continuity of the entity in title.
• Led a transaction team representing a credit union in a $39M loan to borrowers to refinance a multi-family development in Illinois with six entities owning the property as tenants-in-common.
• Led a transaction team representing a credit union in a $13M loan to a borrower to refinance a mixed-use development in Oregon with four entities owning the property as tenants-in-common and with a carve out for a retail grocery store subject to a ground lease.

Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, LL.M., Child and Family Law, 2013
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 2000
Mundelein College (now Loyola University Chicago), Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, cum laude

Bar Admissions
Illinois, 2000

• American College of Mortgage Attorneys
• Chicago Bar Association, Domestic Violence Committee co-chair
• Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law
• DuPage County Bar Association

• Fellow, American College of Mortgage Attorneys
• Leading Lawyer (2024-2026)

• Chuhak & Tecson’s Women Helping Women program, ambassador