Langdon Neal

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, along with corresponding documents and agreements, for the construction of over $1 billion in public facilities. Advised various municipal entities, boards, and commissions on governance, ethics, MBE/WBE compliance, and other organizational matters. Experienced litigation and trial attorney representing governmental entities and property owners in numerous condemnation matters. Represents property owners, major developers, and governmental entities in land use, zoning matters, and project finance.

Representative Matters

• Obtained a favorable verdict in the amount of $18 million on behalf of a client in an eminent domain trial

• Provided commercial, retail, residential, and industrial real estate transaction services, including purchase and sale contracts for major financial institutions

• Represented numerous real estate companies in development planning and municipal finance, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

• Managed rezoning of a planned development for reuse of property designated for a basketball arena and commercial/retail use as part of the McCormick Place expansion

• Represented Wal-Mart in site development and entitlement work for 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 Abbott Laboratories in an eminent domain proceeding involving approximately 10 acres of property, along with other public and private projects

• Represented Rush University Medical Center in closing a $100 million public finance entitlement for construction of a new hospital

• Serves as General Counsel to the 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), Illinois State Bar Association General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section

• High Jump, Richard J. Almeida Award (2010)

Darlene Harris

As a seasoned civil rights lawyer and trademark attorney, I have dedicated over a decade to advocating for justice. I founded Power In Protection Law, a proudly Black-owned and women-owned business, to support minority-owned and mission-driven startups. Our firm helps entrepreneurs safeguard their brands with services such as trademark registration, business incorporation, and contract drafting.

With a background in criminal defense and a strong passion for civil rights advocacy, particularly fighting against police brutality, I am committed to defending individuals mistreated by law enforcement. My experience representing the NAACP further fueled my drive to protect the underrepresented.

Recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and named among the Top 10 Best Attorneys in North Carolina, I am dedicated to delivering expert legal services. I also proudly serve on the Advisory Board of Gardner Webb University and as President of the Charlotte Women’s Bar.

With a law degree from North Carolina Central University and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I combine legal expertise with my passion for community empowerment. Outside of law, I enjoy exploring new foods, music, and travel.

Raynique Keelen

Raynique Keelen is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. Ms. Keelen graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a minor in Political Science and History. Ms. Keelen later received her Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center. While in law school, Ms. Keelen served as Clerk of Rolls of Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, Secretary of the Black Law Student Association and Managing Editor of the Law Review. Additionally, Ms. Keelen published a law review article titled, “Navigating Un-chartered Waters: Will Justice Kennedy’s Concurrence in Rapanos v. United States Become the Controlling Test Regarding Federal Jurisdiction over Wetlands?” 34 S.U. L. REV. 227 (2007).

Ms. Keelen is licensed to practice before all state courts in Louisiana and Texas as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana Bankruptcy Court.

In May 2020, Ms. Keelen joined forces with powerhouse criminal defense attorney John T. Fuller, IV forming Fuller Keelen Law Firm. Their personal injury law firm focuses on serious injuries and fatalities.

Jim Holt

Attorney Jim Holt is the Founder and Managing Member of Holt Law Firm LLC, a Baton Rouge-based law firm with a practice centered on serious personal injury, DWI and criminal defense, and general business litigation. With decades of legal experience, he provides strategic counsel and advocacy to individuals, families, and businesses across Louisiana.

Admitted to practice in Louisiana since 1984, Mr. Holt is licensed in all state and appellate courts in Louisiana, as well as the United States District Courts for the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts of Louisiana, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His extensive courtroom experience and knowledge of both state and federal systems allow him to effectively represent clients in a wide range of complex legal matters.

Mr. Holt earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, and his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Louisiana State Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Distinguished Lawyers of Distinction. He has also been recognized as a Top 100 attorney by The National Black Lawyers.

His practice areas include criminal defense, family law, personal injury, civil litigation, business formation, successions, trusts, and estate planning. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Holt offers professional fiduciary and trustee services for Louisiana families.

Beyond the practice of law, Mr. Holt is also a licensed Louisiana Real Estate Broker (LPT) and a member of the Greater Baton Rouge Realtors Association and the National Association of Realtors, further expanding his ability to serve clients in real estate-related matters.

Jenipher Jones

Jenipher is a civil movement and human rights attorney and the Managing Attorney of For the People | A People’s Legal Office, LLC. She began her career in the New Orleans office of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) through the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Harvard University and the City of New Orleans Office of Independent Police Monitor (OPM).

Her work challenging the system of mass incarceration has resulted in binding affirmative decisions regarding the constitutional rights of prisoners in the United States. Jenipher litigates complex civil cases involving the rights of political prisoners, employment discrimination, and law enforcement and correctional officer misconduct. Her work in litigation and in the community has been recognized by the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) and Denver Public Schools (DPS).

As a clinical law professor, Jenipher has instructed law students on the rights of prisoners, movement lawyering, and professional identity formation. She has been published both domestically and internationally and served as Editor-in-Chief of the National Lawyers Guild Law Review.

Jenipher currently serves as co-chair of the Mass Incarceration Committee of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG). She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Federal Advocates (FFA) and has been recognized as one of Denver’s 40 Under 40 young professionals. She is a proud board member of the National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL).

In addition, Jenipher has received extended integrative training in contemplative practice and social justice informed by the perennial tradition, earning a certificate from the Center for Action & Contemplation (CAC).