Jeff D. Harris

Jeff D. Harris, Counsel in the Litigation Practice, combines legal and business acumen to help his clients solve problems. For 45+ years, he has concentrated his practice on business litigation and alternative dispute resolution, especially in matters relating to construction, commercial real estate, corporate and partnership disputes, professional liability and fiduciary duties. His business litigation experience is complemented by having served as de facto general counsel for a major client and having a substantial role, on behalf of the owner or contractor, in the redevelopment of major projects in Chicago, including Navy Pier, Marina City and Prudential Plaza.

Jeff has been recognized by his peers as one of the leading construction lawyers in Illinois.

In addition to his professional activities, Jeff is on the Board of Directors of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. He also has served as Chair of the respective Boards of Directors of the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. In 2005, he received the Frank Cabral Humanitarian Award from the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis in recognition of his contributions to furthering education, patient support and research regarding the disease.

Jeff's Practice

Representative Matters

• Obtained summary judgment for a major home improvement retailer in lawsuit by surrounding property owners to block construction of a new store containing 240,000 sf.
• Obtained judgment at trial for owner of prominent resort in Illinois in real estate dispute with a tenant in a key location on resort property.
• Obtained judgment at trial in federal court for former employees of bankrupt public company, who were sued on unpaid promissory notes evidencing bank loans that were used to finance investments in company stock.
• Obtained summary judgment for attorney sued for alleged violations of the public trust doctrine.
• Represented co-founder of private equity funds investing in commercial real estate in disputes with co-founder and other parties.
• Represented individual with multiple fiduciary capacities in litigation of family disputes.
• Represented a developer in litigation relating to the construction and turnover of a 180-unit condominium complex.
• Represented the owner in the termination of a design/builder, the completion of the high-rise project and related litigation.
• Represented a general contractor in the restructuring of a high-rise project and related litigation arising out of a developer’s default.
• Represented a general contractor in litigation regarding design and construction of façade of a high-rise residential project.
• Represented a subcontractor in developing an eight-figure claim against the general contractor on a major hotel project.
• Represented attorney sued for malpractice in connection with prosecution of patents for a public company.