Matthew E. Norton practices in the areas of land use, local government and real estate development law. He has prepared numerous complex annexation and development agreements which provide for the long-term zoning and development of real estate development projects throughout the Chicago Metropolitan Area. He also has prepared zoning ordinances and financial incentive documents to promote urban revitalization. He represents the firm's clients in these matters at public meetings and hearings throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
Mr. Norton represents developers and property owners in obtaining government approvals for annexations, annexation agreements, zoning, special use permits, subdivisions, planned unit developments, and tax increment financing, special service areas, sales tax rebates, and other financial incentives. In these matters, he has provided legal counseling services for many of the firm's corporate clients, including Poag & McEwen Lifestyle Centers, Tucker Development Corp., Midas International, Inc., Union Pacific Railroad Company, Extra Space Storage Inc., Archon Group, Metropolitan Bank Group, Rubina Realty Corp., Stonegate Properties, Inc., and many others.
Mr. Norton also represents cities, villages, and special districts in such matters and in general local government law matters. He is the general counsel for the Lake County Illinois Forest Preserve District. He has also represented the Cities of Berwyn and Highland Park and the Villages of Mundelein, LaGrange, Lake Zurich, and Hinsdale, among many others.
Mr. Norton is a featured author on annexation issues in the Municipal Law volume of Illinois Jurisprudence and has written numerous articles on local government issues. He has lectured on Illinois land development issues for several organizations, including the National Business Institute, the West Central Municipal Conference, and the Southland Chamber of Commerce.