At Cervantes Chatt & Prince, P.C., teamwork isn't just a practice, it's a culture, and the core of their success. Led by Marc Cervantes, seasoned attorney and partner, this dynamic law firm specializes in all aspects of real estate law, providing exceptional legal services in the Chicagoland area. Since their last spotlight, the firm has welcomed new attorneys and team members, thus enhancing their already robust capabilities and ensuring that each client experience is seamless and successful.

Marc describes the firm as a "well-oiled machine," emphasizing the synergy among team members and their shared commitment to excellence. This unity allows the team to not only handle complex, multi-situational real estate transactions effortlessly, but also enables them to make real connections with their clients, ensuring they feel understood, respected, and valued throughout their legal journey.

With their growth in numbers, the firm has also grown in expertise and efficiency. Each attorney at Cervantes Chatt & Prince brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, as well as a deep understanding of the ever-evolving real estate landscape. 

Elizabeth P. Kiggins, an associate attorney, is renowned for her profound knowledge of real estate law, ensuring the firm is always ahead of legal trends and changes. Along with Marc, she plays a pivotal role in educating and mentoring the team. “Elizabeth is ‘the brains,’” Marc asserts. “There is rarely an ordinance or law passed that she doesn’t know about.”

Christina Rivas, the managing paralegal, keeps everyone on the team organized and is hands-on with clients, particularly in explaining complex transaction processes. She’s also bilingual in Spanish and English, and was a licensed REALTOR® before becoming a full-time paralegal. “Christina showcases an immense amount of patience, especially in difficult situations, handling client interactions with empathy and expertise,” Marc shares.

John Pender, a paralegal, is usually the first voice you’ll hear when calling the office. He uses his skills as a licensed REALTOR® to enhance file management and client communications, while Samantha Smith, a law clerk, integrates her legal education to provide valuable research support.

“Each of our attorneys and team members are experts in their fields,” Marc emphasizes. “Having that immediate access to that level of knowledge from our team has really benefited the experience of our clients and referral partners. Fostering an environment of respect between each other not only helps us grow as a firm, but also improves the quality of work we present to the REALTORS® and clients we work with.”

The firm actively supports REALTORS® in a number of ways. They often co-sponsor events, provide resources for complex real estate questions, and are always readily available to discuss potential transactions. They attend every purchase closing and consistently communicate and collaborate on files and workload so that everyone can be on the same page, no matter the case.

“When you call our office, you are speaking directly to someone who is on our team, and who has, at one point or another, worked on your file. There is no answering service,” Marc stresses. “This is why, when you call in asking for a status of a file, we all know what’s going on.”

Marc and his team strive to be a reliable resource for their REALTOR® partners and clients. They always set time aside to call people back and explain information, and if they don’t have an answer right away, they do everything they can to find one. “Nothing gives us greater satisfaction than knowing that our clients have the confidence to make well-informed decisions,” Marc expresses.

Going above and beyond the mere transaction, the firm often handles things like final walk-through issues, delays in routine processing, liens recorded days within a closing, and even unusual water balances. 

“We’ve done evictions for sellers for difficult tenants, short sales, files that dealt with selling through an estate where the heirs lived on different sides of the globe, you name it,” Marc adds. “The great thing is that we know each other’s strengths, and there is a sense of relief in knowing that we will all kick into action to resolve the issue, no matter what it is.”  

The Cervantes Chatt & Prince, P.C. team not only share a passion for real estate law, but also engage actively with their personal interests, further strengthening their bond and camaraderie. Whether discussing the latest sports game, sharing new culinary experiences during their Monday lunch tradition, or attending comic book conventions, the team's camaraderie is palpable and extends into their professional engagements.

“We’re a fun bunch. We’re not shy about it, but we’re also professionals at what we do,” Marc shares. “In addition to fostering our relationships with clients and each other, we take the time to really grow our relationships with REALTORS® and lenders in the industry. Our goal is to make them feel that they are also a part of our team when we’re working on a file together.”  

As the team moves forward, they remain dedicated to enhancing their services, making every client a priority, treating every single file with the same dedication and precision regardless of its size, and maintaining the high standards that have brought them to where they are today.