Jessica T. Cooper

Principal

P 312 855 5017

Practice areas

With common-sense counsel, meticulous organization and a diplomatic yet determined approach focused on the finish line, Jessica Cooper leverages her extensive experience and deep insights across a broad spectrum of commercial real estate transactions.

Overview

Whether working on an isolated acquisition or disposition or representing a client with a robust and active portfolio of commercial leases, Jessica brings the same level of demonstrable personal investment to her efforts. She understands that there is no such thing as a “small” real estate transaction. Each deal represents a significant investment of time and money and offers an equivalent level of risk and opportunity. Accordingly, each engagement deserves and receives Jessica’s full attention and commitment.

Across a wide range of asset classes, including retail, industrial and multifamily properties, Jessica works with institutional and individual clients on acquisitions, dispositions, financing and leasing transactions. She is particularly well-versed in sophisticated commercial leasing matters, having shepherded the negotiation, drafting and consummation of countless leases in the retail, office and industrial spaces. These include leases with national credit tenants, leases nuanced by issues related to new-construction components and retail leases with numerous applicable exclusive and prohibited uses. Additionally, Jessica is skilled in drafting and analyzing complex declarations of covenants, conditions and restrictions, as well as easement agreements.

While most of her leasing work is on behalf of landlords, Jessica has also represented scores of commercial tenants, giving her valuable perspectives that benefit clients on both sides of the table. Attuned to the nuances, fluctuations and challenges of the Chicago-area real estate market, Jessica’s counsel is grounded not only in the law but also in the practical, financial and on-the-ground realities that must factor into any consequential decision involving commercial real estate. These holistic insights have made Jessica an invaluable partner for her clients, with many relying on her in an outside general counsel capacity rather than simply their real estate attorney.

Active in her community and committed to giving back, Jessica founded the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s Chicago Young Professionals Group, which raised over $500,000 to raise awareness of and fund research for multiple myeloma treatments and therapies. She also sits on the executive board of the PTO for her local school district.

Representative Matters
  • Represented a client in the sale of a $44 million new-construction multifamily development and facilitated a “drop and swap” from tenants-in-common in order to effectuate a 1031 exchange at closing.
  • Handled the disposition of an 11-parcel shopping center in suburban Cook County, including documenting covenants, conditions and restrictions by and between all parcels at closing for each parcel.
  • Closed a $20 million construction loan for a redevelopment project near Wrigley Field.
  • Routinely negotiate retail leases with national-credit tenants, including ground/master leases with drive-thru coffee tenants.
  • Handled the closing for a property occupied by a national restaurant group and negotiated the related lease termination agreement, which included reconciliation of triple-net charges and expenses under the related lease between tenant and landlord.
  • Facilitated a holistic retail development project in Kane County, including the acquisition of undeveloped land within the retail owner’s association, documentation of additional covenants, conditions and restrictions among re-subdivided lots within the owner’s association, negotiation of all leases within the project and the eventual disposition of each lot thereof.
Credentials

Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.S., psychology, pre-law concentration, Spanish minor, 2008
Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., litigation and alternative dispute resolution certificate, 2012

Bar Admissions
Illinois, 2013

Memberships & Associations
  • Chicago Bar Association
Community Involvement
  • Wescott Elementary School PTO, executive board, vice president of technology
  • Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Chicago Young Professionals Group, founder
  • Chuhak & Tecson’s Women Helping Women program, ambassador