Mr. Neal is a principal and owner of Neal & Leroy, LLC. He joined the family-owned firm in 1981, becoming the third generation of lawyers practicing in Chicago. Mr. Neal's practice concentrates in real estate, zoning, land use, and public and private finance. Mr. Neal is rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recommended by Leading Lawyers.
Representative Matters
More than 25 years of experience as General Counsel for the Public Building Commission of Chicago; drafted and established procurement and construction strategies and corresponding documents and agreements for construction of over $1 billion dollars' worth of public facilities. Advised various municipal entities, boards, and commissions on governance, ethics, MBE/WBE compliance, and other organizational matters. Litigation and trial attorney for governmental entities and property owners in numerous condemnation matters. Represents numerous property owners, major developers and governmental entities in land use, zoning matters, and project finance. Obtained a favorable verdict in the amount of $18 million on behalf of a client in an eminent domain trial. Commercial, Retail, Residential, and Industrial Real Estate Transaction Services including purchase and sale contracts for major financial institutions. Represented numerous Real Estate companies on developing plans and municipal finance including Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Managed re-zoning of planned development for reuse of property to be developed for a basketball arena and commercial/retail uses as part of McCormick Place expansion. Represented Wal-Mart in site development and all entitlement work for the development of properties in Northern Illinois and Indiana. Led the legal team in acquiring 600 parcels in connection with the expansion of Chicago O'Hare International Airport and CTA Orange, Brown, and Green line expansion and redevelopment. Defended Abbot Laboratory in connection with an eminent domain proceeding involving approximately 10 acres of property and many other public and private projects. Represented Rush University Medical Center in closing of $100 million Public Finance Entitlement for construction of a new hospital. Serves as general counsel to Board of Trustees of a major University.
Professional Activities
- Honorary Chair and Keynote Speaker, Mikva Challenge Foundation (May 2014)
- Moderator, Support the Voter, Joyce Foundation (April 2014)
- Lecturer, American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers
- Lecturer, Cook County Bar Association, Judicial Candidates Symposium
- After School Matters " after school programming for Chicago Public School students
- Black Ensemble Theater
- Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation
- High Jump, Academic Enrichment Program
- Chicago Board of Election Commissioners (Chairman 1997 - present)
- Chicago Bar Association
- Cook County Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Education
- University of Illinois Law School, J.D., 1981
- Cornell University, B.A., 1978
Honors and Awards
- Crain's Who's Who in Chicago Business (2016)
- Neal Family received 2016 Legendary Landmark Award (Legendary Landmark Neal Presentation)
- Featured as a Leading Lawyer in Leading Lawyers Magazine (January 2016 Edition)
- Featured in Best Lawyers 2016 Illinois Edition in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Listed as a Top Real Estate Attorney in Illinois (Super Lawyers Magazine Illinois/2016)
- Matthew Maloney Tradition of Excellence Award (2010)
Given by the Illinois State Bar Association General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section
- High Jump, Richard J. Almeida Award (2010)
Oluwaseun (Shay) Familoni Wells
Oluwaseun O. Familoni represents clients in a broad range of labor and employment matters, including litigation involving claims of employment discrimination, harassment, and benefits-related disputes under ERISA. She also advises employers on establishing and implementing policies designed to reduce the risk of litigation. Before attending law and business school, Shay worked in human resources for two Fortune 50 companies, giving her a practical perspective on business that complements her legal expertise.
Shay earned her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2018, where she was an Institute of Law and Economics Scholar, served as editor on the Penn Law Journal of Business, and directed the Employment Advocacy Project, a pro bono law school group. She also earned her M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 2018, where she was a Joseph Wharton Fellow and served as a Leadership and Non-Profit Board Fellow. Shay received her B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University in 2012.
Admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Shay has been recognized for her pro bono work with the Outstanding Commitment to Pro Bono Leadership Award and the Exceptional Pro Bono Service Award from the University of Pennsylvania’s Toll Public Interest Center. Her combined business and legal experience allows her to provide strategic guidance and practical solutions to meet her clients’ needs.
Johnine P. Barnes has wide-ranging experience in labor and employment law. She is nationally recognized by the Legal 500 U.S. Guide for her counselling and compliance practice regarding employment laws, including but not limited to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other federal and state statutes governing employment issues.
In addition, Johnine is recognized by Lawdragon 500 as Leading Lawyer in America, and as a Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyer. She is experienced in litigating and defending employment claims of harassment, retaliation, discrimination, wrongful discharge, and breach of contract, as well as business litigation matters. She has experience handling non-compete agreement and contract disputes, trade secret matters, international disputes, white collar crime claims, property interest disputes and legislative matters.
Concentrations
- Employment litigation (both state and federal courts)
- Employment and labor counseling and compliance
- Business litigation (both state and federal courts)
- Noncompete and trade secrets
- Sports and entertainment
Capabilities
Labor & Employment
Litigation
Trial Practice
Trade Secrets Automotive
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented clients in employment litigation involving complex and precedent-setting electronic discovery issues.
- Conducted employment audits and advised clients on matters before the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.
- Presided over and advised clients regarding collective bargaining/labor negotiations.
- Counsel clients on labor and employment matters, including OFCCP, Affirmative Action Plan and Service Contract Act matters.
- Represented foreign sovereign’s interest and defended foreign sovereign in litigation in U.S. District Courts.
- Represented corporate clients in litigation involving shareholder disputes and corporate valuation issues.
- Represented clients in malpractice lawsuits.
- Represented clients in insurance coverage actions.
- Represented clients in government contract disputes and advised on compliance with Services Contract Act.
- Conducted corporate investigations regarding employee misconduct.
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Barnes prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2021-2023
- Listed, Lawdragon 500
- “Leading Lawyers in America,” 2020-2022
- "Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers," 2020-2021
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, 2012-2013, 2015-2022
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, "Labor and Employment," 2013-2016, 2018-2021
- Listed, Benchmark Litigation, "Labor & Employment Star," 2020-2021
- Listed, Lawdragon and Human Resources Executive® magazine, "The Nation's Most Powerful Employment Lawyers - Top 100," 2019
- Recognized, Profiles in Diversity Journal, "Women Worth Watching," 2018
- Team Member, a Law360 "Employment Practice Group of the Year," 2011 and 2013
- Recipient, "Outstanding Outside Counsel of the Year," National Bar Association Commercial Law Section, July 2012
- Listed, Washingtonian Magazine, "40 Top Lawyers Under 40," 2006
- Listed, Kaleidoscope magazine, "40 Under 40"
- Recipient, "Presidential Award," National Bar Association
Professional & Community Involvement
- Foundation Board Member, University of the District of Columbia School of Law
- Member, Corporate Advisory Board, MasterCorp, Inc.
- Member, American Employment Law Council
- Member, International Women’s Forum, Washington, DC (Executive Committee 2020-2021)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2015-Present
- Former Director, Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit Board
- Former, General Counsel, District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Member, District of Columbia Bar
- Bar Board of Governors, 2006-2012
- Member, National Bar Association
- Former Deputy General Counsel and Special Counsel to the President
- Former Co-Chair of the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Working Mother’s Committee
- Former Commissioner, Northern Virginia Regional Commission
- Past Chair and Former Member, District of Columbia Public Employee Relations Board, a quasi-judicial agency that resolves labor-management disputes between agencies of the District government and labor organizations representing agency employees
- Past President, Prettyman-Leventhal American Inn of Court
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 1995
- B.A., Political Science, magna cum laude, with honors, Case Western Reserve University, 1992
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Ohio