Ari Krigel

Ari Krigel’s clients rely heavily on his vast knowledge of real estate law to make their development projects and transactions a reality.

Krigel is a partner at the Chicago office of Freeborn & Peters LLP, where he maintains an impressive real estate practice and represents clients around the country.

As an example, Krigel recently represented a restaurant operator and developer in a large multi-property sale/leaseback and simultaneously closed $20 million in loans secured by the assets of entities operating 63 fast food and casual restaurants, including Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, T.G.I. Friday’s, Blaze Pizza, Old Chicago and Long John Silver’s.

And that is just the start of Krigel’s successes. He also represented the borrower in an $8.9 million, 11-property portfolio refinancing that resulted in the dismissal of two portfolio foreclosure cases and provided financing for future construction. Krigel also simultaneously negotiated mortgage and mezzanine loans totaling $55 million secured by a separate property owned by the same client.

In addition, Krigel represented the owner of a multifamily development of more than 400 units in the negotiations of a $31 million refinancing and construction loan used for renovations and the buyout of a minority partner TIC interest.

Krigel’s nominators are quick to point out they can count on this real estate specialist as a trusted confidant, skilled advisor and sharp deal maker.

“We depended on Ari for not only his legal acumen, but also his understanding of business markets, his ability to identify efficient solutions and his guidance through a series of transactions with the goal of maximizing profit for our family estate,” said one client. “Being a skilled lawyer can be learned. Being a thoughtful, sincere, compassionate one cannot. Ari is all of these things, and my family is so very lucky to have him working with us.”

Another one of Krigel’s clients, a general counsel for a developer, has worked with him on several real estate financing deals that involved multiple properties, tens-of-millions-of-dollars of loans, teams of attorneys from both coasts, municipalities, investors and numerous lenders.

“I have worked with hundreds of attorneys over the years and few have exhibited the legal skills that Ari has in representing us, especially at his age,” said this client. “Just as important to me, he has constantly exhibited qualities that cannot be taught: business sense, dedication, patience and hard work.”

Outside of his practice, Krigel sits on the associate board of City Year Chicago. He is also actively involved in Jewish United Fund, Friends of local Mayer and Friends of the IDF.