Education

Northwestern University School of Law, J.D.
Tulane University, B.A., magna cum laude

Bar Admissions

Illinois

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Steven Elrod

Partner
Chicago
t: 312-578-6565

Steven M. Elrod represents private and public sector clients on a broad range of real estate development, zoning and land use matters. He is the Chairman of Holland & Knight's National Land Use and Government Team.

Mr. Elrod is the Corporation Counsel for the City of Highland Park, Ill., and the Village Attorney for the Villages of Northbrook and Lincolnwood, Ill. He is also actively involved in the general representation of the firm’s Chicago area municipal clients.

Mr. Elrod also represents property owners, tenants, and developers in a variety of real estate and transactional projects. As counsel to national, regional, and local real estate developers, he is actively engaged in securing zoning, development, and government entitlements and approvals. He also handles large tract property acquisition, retail and shopping center leasing, office and industrial building leasing, and synthetic lease financing. His land use and local government law experience includes the drafting and negotiation of:

  • zoning ordinance regulations
  • annexation, subdivision, and development agreements
  • tax incentive and abatement agreements
  • redevelopment, business district, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district plans
  • historic preservation regulations

Mr. Elrod also has extensive experience, from both the public and the private sector perspective, in the annexation and disconnection of real property, as well as the litigation of such land use and zoning issues as §1983 Civil Rights; eminent domain; takings and inverse condemnation; development impact fees; procedural and substantive due process, RLUIPA; and the First Amendment freedoms of speech and religion.

As a member of the faculty of the National College of District Attorneys, Mr. Elrod lectures throughout the country on land use and zoning matters.

Professional Honors & Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Land Use & Zoning, 2007
  • Illinois Super Lawyer, 2007
  • Leading Illinois Attorney in the Commercial Real Estate and Government Law practice areas 2002-2008
  • Lecturer of Merit Award, National College of District Attorneys
  • 2007 Tree of Life Award, Jewish National Fund

Memberships

  • American Planning Association
  • Chicago Bar Association, Past Chairman - Local Government Committee
  • International Council of Shopping Centers
  • International City/County Management Association
  • Illinois Decalogue Society,
  • Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago, Board of Directors
  • Lambda Alpha International
  • Jewish National Fund, Board of Directors
  • American Bar Association

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Appeals Courts, Seventh Circuit

Speaking Engagements

  • CLE International, Land Use Law Conference Chairman, 2008
  • RLUIPA and Zoning of Religious Institutions, American Planning Association, Chicago Chapter, 2005
  • National Symposium on Racial Profiling, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, 2005
  • Current Trends in Land Use and Zoning, National College of District Attorneys, 2003
  • Smart Growth and Government Regulation, International Council of Shopping Centers, 2003
  • Regulatory Takings, ALI-ABA, 2002

Published Articles & Books

  • "The Law of Eminent Domain," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2007
  • "Zoning Glossary - Land Use Law," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2007
  • "Vested Rights: Debate Fodder," Illinois Real Estate Journal, 2006
  • "Developer Rights in Illinois – the “Vested Right” Doctrine," Real Estate, Newsletter - 3rd Quarter 2005