Steven is rated AV, the highest ranking by Martindale-Hubbell, one of the oldest and best-known catalogs of lawyers in the United States—a “testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.” Additionally, he is author of “The Owners and Managers Guide to Condominium Management,” Institute of Real Estate Management, 1978 and 1984; and “Condominium Development Forms with Commentary,” Illinois Chapter, Callaghan and Company, 1990.
Steven and his son, David, work together as a team and have put together a unique system for associations in the collection of delinquent assessments. They are available to perform other services for their association clients, such as:
- answer legal questions regarding operations and governance;
- prosecute and defend the association in litigation matters;
- prepare declaration and bylaw amendments;
- review rules and regulations;
- enforce restrictions, covenants, and rules and regulations;
- serve as the registered agents for the not-for-profit corporation;
- prepare board resolutions, policies, proxies and other official documents;
- review loan documentation;
- review and negotiate contracts;
- guide associations through transition from developer control and address turnover issues;
- represent the association in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies;
- review, analyze and interpret insurance policies;
- review and prepare easement and license agreements;
- condominium conversions of apartment buildings;
- review and advise on requests for accommodations by disabled residents; and
- defend Fair Housing Act complaints and other claims of discrimination.
Since 1972, Steven has represented hundreds of associations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and has extensive experience serving the needs of and guiding boards of directors through a wide variety of issues. He has litigated many cases on behalf of associations in state and federal courts, including the Illinois Supreme Court. A precedent case-setting law in Illinois that Steven participated in was Apple II Condominium Association v. Worth Bank and Trust Co., which established the right of associations to amend their declarations to restrict leasing of units and differentiated the standard of review between the adoption of rules and amendments to declarations.
Prior to entering private practice, Steven worked as the Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois from 1971 to 1973 and Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois from 1973 to 1975.
Steven previously served as Chuhak & Tecson’s co-ombudsperson, chaired the firm’s Compensation Committee and served on the Finance and Management Committees.
