After graduating The University of Chicago Law School, Louis D. D’Angelo founded Metropolitan Properties of Chicago in 1991. Under Louis’ direction, Metropolitan Properties forged a reputation as a leading, innovative, and entrepreneurial development firm.

Throughout his career, Louis has successfully executed complex transactions employing creative legal and financial solutions.

Areas of Expertise

Focusing on Real Property disputes including Construction, Condominium/Multifamily, and Eviction/Foreclosure.

Also, available for general Civil and Commercial disputes.

Experience

Before attending The University of Chicago Law School, Louis was employed in the New York office of Goldman Sachs & Company as a financial analyst in the Mortgage-Backed Securities Research Department until 1988.   Louis analyzed and collected data regarding Collateral Mortgage Obligations (CMOs) and other mortgage pass-through and asset-backed instruments.

After graduating law school in 1991, Louis founded Metropolitan Properties of Chicago.  Louis has over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate development and consultation. He has extensive experience in office, retail, student housing, residential condominium and multifamily assets. His primary responsibility is to negotiate all major aspects of development:  Loan documents, secured transactions, land use, partnership agreements, leases, construction contracts, etc.

Throughout his career, Louis confronted complex challenges with creative legal and financial solutions. For example, when office demand migrated west in downtown Chicago, Louis recognized the opportunity to convert aging office buildings to luxury residential condominiums.  He successfully converted three historic properties -aggregating one million square feet – along Michigan Avenue’s Streetwall district.

Mediation

Due to his extensive business experience, Louis D’Angelo is uniquely positioned to be an effective, fair and practical mediator. Over the years, he has been on varying sides of numerous real estate negotiations and understands the objectives and challenges of both parties, within the context of industry practices.

Louis implements a thoughtful blend of facilitative with some evaluative methods. With his ability to be open minded, patient and be an effective listener, Louis creates an environment conducive to earnest settlement resolutions.

Louis completed the Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, Mediation Skills Training Program, earning a certificate in August 2021.

Currently he is available via Zoom as a panel member of Dispute Prevention & Resolution, Inc., Hawaii’s leading dispute resolution group.

Louis in an approved mediator for the 19 Judicial Circuit Court in Lake County, Illinois, the 18 Judicial Circuit Court in DuPage County, and the 12 Circuit Court in Will County.  He provides pro bono mediation for small claims and eviction cases referred by the Illinois courts.

Louis volunteered as a moot court judge in a recent ABA student competition.

Testimonials:

“Louis was patient and a good mediator that truly cared. He helped us get a deal when it did not appear that we would get a deal done. He even followed-up throughout the process when the deal looked difficult to implement.”

Sean Robertson

Plaintiff Attorney

Eviction Case, Joliet, Illinois 2022

“My experience with Mr. D’Angelo as our mediator in an eviction case was nothing but heaven sent. He quickly observed that both parties wanted to work things out.  Mr. D’Angelo listened to the issues, created a new offer which resulted in a new one-year lease agreement. He truly showed no bias for either party. He was about doing what’s right and that’s what I appreciate from my personal experience.”

Aaron Rayford

Pro Se Defendant

Eviction Case, Joliet, Illinois 2022 

Charitable & Civic

In 2005, Louis D’Angelo co-founded the Chicago Loop Alliance a prominent civic organization committed to promote high-performance urban experience throughout the Loop.  He served as chairman and is currently a member of the Executive Committee.  LoopAlliance.com.

Louis chaired the facilities committee at the Hyde Park Art Center, where he headed an effort to acquire and redevelop a new facility for the art center (opened Spring 2006). Louis negotiated with The University of Chicago, the property owner.  Louis served as a board member from 1999-2017 and currently is a sustaining member of the board.  The art center provides exhibit space, art classes and out-reach to area high schools. www.HydeParkArt.org

Mr. D’Angelo served as an Executive Advisory committee member of  Roosevelt University the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate of from 2002 to 2020.  This program provides an array of undergraduate and graduate courses introducing real estate professions to students in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds.  www.roosevelt.edu

In addition to his participation at the University of Chicago below, Mr. D’Angelo has also guest lectured at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and was a featured speaker at Urban Land Institute (ULI), Roosevelt University School of Real Estate and the Courthouse Preservation Partnership in Joliet.

Louis, a recognized civic leader, was appointed by Mayor Richard M Daley  to serve on the Central Area Committee and in 2000 to a blue ribbon ad hoc committee to assess the possibility of establishing a historic district along the Streetwall.  More recently, Louis along with the Bloomberg Foundation, consulted City of Chicago officials regarding proposed Business Improvement District (BID) enabling State of Illinois legislation.  He also consulted with City of Chicago and the Urban Land Institute to study the redevelopment of LaSalle Street historic corridor.  Louis lends support for the proposed Revitalizing Downtown Act recently submitted to US Congress.

Education, Certifications & Affiliations

In 1985, Louis earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at The George Washington University, in Washington, D.C. As a history major, he interned at the National Trust for Historic Preservation while attending college.

Louis attended The University of Chicago Law School, from which he received his Juris Doctorate in 1991.

He remains active with his alma mater, having served on the Visiting Committee, Entrepreneurial Committee of the law school, a volunteer with the school’s “Lawyer as Negotiator” program and as a guest lecturer at the University’s undergraduate architectural program.

Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, Mediation Skills Training Program, earned a certificate in August 2021.

Mr. D’Angelo is licensed attorney and real estate broker in the State of Illinois.

He is also a member to the Association of Attorney-Mediators.

Mr. D’Angelo resides in the Chicago area and is available for mediation via Zoom or in person.