AERC attorneys handle litigation and pre-litigation disputes, transactional matters, legislative efforts, airport leases, contracts and procurement, client counseling issues, airport bond issues and other airport financing transactions. The attorneys work in the following practice areas:

Aviation 

AERC attorneys handle litigation and pre-litigation disputes for the Department of Aviation and the O’Hare Modernization Program.  AERC attorneys prepare ordinances and other legislation for airport matters for introduction to City Council.  AERC attorneys provide legal services and advice related to federal grant assurance compliance and other airport regulatory matters.  AERC attorneys also provide legal services and advice in connection with airport leases, contracts and procurements, as well as airport bond issues and other financing transactions.

Contracts

AERC attorneys represent City department in matters involving (i) the acquisition or sale by the City of services, personal and intellectual property, and work, for the purposes of helping its clients obtain good value for the City funds expended and minimize risk; and (ii) the licensing of City space (whether it is real property, personal property, or intellectual property, such as software or space on the City's website) for revenue-generating purposes (such as corporate advertising).   Activities include consultation on the best course of action from a legal and business standpoint; drafting of agreements and enabling ordinances; and negotiation of agreements with opposing counsel.

Environmental

AERC attorneys provide legal advice and counseling on a wide range of environmental issues.  The attorneys provide advice, guidance and representation to City departments on regulatory issues.  They bring environmental actions on behalf of the City in order to stop environmental nuisances and effectuate clean-ups.  Because of their specialized environmental knowledge, AERC attorneys also play an integral part in drafting ordinances and environmental provisions in City agreements.  

 General Regulatory

AERC attorneys represent the City of Chicago in a wide array of regulatory matters, including grant litigation, federal disclosures, federal regulatory issues and qui tam actions.  AERC attorneys provide legal advice and representation on the Freedom of Information Act, and other disclosure statutes, as well as other states and federal regulatory matters.  

Intellectual Property

AERC attorneys participate in the City’s efforts to protect its intellectual property (assets that might be trademarks, copyrighted or patented) and to obtain use-rights to other parties’ intellectual property.  AERC attorneys are involved I property registration activities, litigation, permission requests, and informal cease-and-desist actions.