Practice Areas
Commercial Real Estate
Real estate is the main focus of Clark Street Law and the industry in which the bulk of the firm’s clients operate. The firm serves as counsel to developers, contractors, landlords, tenants, receivers, and property managers on real estate projects involving multifamily, retail, hotel, medical, office, industrial, and other commercial uses. Whether buying, selling, building, leasing, developing, managing, or investing in real estate, Clark Street Law is equipped to handle your legal needs.
Venture Documentation
Clark Street Law represents deal sponsors when targeting and executing on real estate opportunities, raising capital, documenting investor subscriptions, and the like. The firm structures cash flow waterfalls, assists with investor decks, papers the promote, and drafts operating agreements and subscription documentation. Clark Street Law is a one-stop shop for any deal sponsor.
Real Estate Finance
Clark Street Law acts as counsel for banks, private lenders, and lending funds in all aspects of real estate finance, and likewise represents borrowers in loan transactions secured by real estate collateral. The firm's capabilities include negotiating, documenting, and closing newly originated loans for clients, as well as providing counsel in workout situations pertaining to distressed assets (i.e., deed in lieu of foreclosure agreements, forbearance agreements, etc.). Clark Street Law also has extensive experience serving as counsel for sellers and purchasers of loans and loan portfolios.
Commercial Litigation
Clark Street Law’s litigation capabilities complement the firm’s real estate and finance transactional practice. The firm handles courtroom matters for plaintiffs and defendants arising out of real estate sale and acquisition disputes, commercial lease enforcement and eviction matters, construction and mechanics lien disputes, quiet title claims, building code violations, and commercial debt enforcement (including foreclosures and collateral repossession). Clark Street Law excels in these litigation areas because the firm understands the mechanics of the transactions underlying the disputes.
Clark Street Law LLC Legal Team
Meet the team
SAMUEL J. SCHUMER
Sam Schumer is the founder of Clark Street Law. He focuses his practice in the commercial real estate and lending sectors. He regularly represents real estate developers, landlords, tenants, property managers, brokerages, contractors and tradesmen, receivers, banks, and private lenders in all aspects of their businesses. This includes handling courtroom matters, negotiating deal terms, and drafting the full spectrum of documents required to acquire, invest in, develop, operate, finance, lease, and divest real estate assets.
Throughout his career, Sam has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers on account of his high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement within the legal industry.
Prior to founding Clark Street Law in 2024, Sam practiced as a partner at a mid-size law firm in Chicago with a primary focus in commercial real estate and finance.
Sam is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.