CHARLES J. HARTNETT III

---

Defended title companies and insureds in title insurance and real estate litigation matters. Represented Chicago Title, Ticor Title, and Fidelity Title Insurance Companies, Chicago Title & Trust Company, and insured owners and lenders in mortgage foreclosure, mortgage fraud, mechanics lien, lien priority, quiet title, title escrow, trust, and boundary & easement dispute litigation. Designed file opening and file management procedures. Created litigation strategy and file management systems for major multi-county litigations.

Title Insurance Attorney Agent – (1) First American Title Insurance Company, (2) Chicago Title Insurance Company, (3) Fidelity National Title Insurance Company (formerly Ticor Title Insurance Company), (4) Old Republic Title Insurance Company, (5) Heritage Title Insurance Company, (6) North American Title Insurance Company, and (7) Baird & Warner Title Insurance Company.

Transactional - Litigation - Handled hundreds of residential, investment, and commercial real estate transactions. Represented McDonald’s Corporation in its acquisition of Boston Market; prepared, drafted, and worked on commercial lease assignments and amendments. Title agent for Ticor Title Insurance Company. Experienced in land trusts, installment contracts for deed, Starker exchanges, lease properties, condominiums, and cooperative ownership transfers. Landlord/Tenant - represented landlords and tenants in drafting, negotiating, and litigating lease agreements and disputes. Also experienced in Mechanics Liens and construction litigation. Wrote title insurance under Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund for member firm. Handled civil litigation matters involving real estate disputes, trust interpretation and modification, and equity matters. 

Environmental - Represented privately held corporation in environmental related zoning litigation, development, municipal contracts, and environmental issues. Negotiated licensing with Department of Agriculture and Illinois EPA. 

Land Use - Zoning - Condemnation - Represented property owner in sale, rezoning, and development of multi-million dollar shopping center. Attended and presented at city annexation meetings, client and developer meetings, presented zoning petition before city plan commission and assisted at city council meeting. Represented asphalt manufacturer in acquisition and conditional use zoning. Represented asphalt manufacturer in relocation and seeking conditional use zoning. Represented property owners and developers in development, rezoning, and annexation. Represented commercial sign and billboard company in county sign ordinance disputes. Represented gravel material company in Department of Transportation quick-take and compensation disputes. Represented veterinary service in county ordinance violation and conditional use permit process - negotiated and preserved client’s EPA licensing.  

Residential Real Estate Development - Represented property owner and developer in drafting contractor builder lot sale agreements; prepared and drafted all contracts, zoning petitions and related documents.

Represented the Crystal Lake Park District in pending litigation, lease agreements and disputes, property damage and insurance claims, reestablishment of watershed drainage district, property acquisitions and sales, tax exemptions, and municipal board meetings.

Business Planning & Advising -  Prepared numerous Articles of Incorporation and corporate documents for new and existing businesses. Advised and structured restaurant and tavern purchases and transfers. Represented business clients in ownership, transfer, and tax disputes and claims. 

Stock Transfer and Dispute - Negotiated stock transfers, release of mortgage guarantees, and securing corporate note against industrial real estate, reviewed industrial lease agreements, prepared file for closing and derivative action against corporate officer and majority shareholder, eviction of corporate tenant, breach of corporate note, and damages.

Franchise Brokerage - Prepared and drafted brokerage agreement for real estate site selection and franchisee qualification for commercial real estate broker and fast food restaurant franchiser. 

Prepared numerous wills and trust agreements. Handled contested estates, supervised administrations, and other complicated estates. Created procedural handbook for opening, administering, and closing probate estates.  Drafted probate checklists for estate practice planning and administration. Represented clients in estate administration and trust claims. 

Represented various manufacturers and suppliers in collection, product conformance, and employment disputes. Experienced in employment, commission, and non-compete agreements, and resulting litigation. Also, experienced in post judgment and enforcement of judgment proceedings. Handled various transportation, premises, structural work act, and municipal and state liability claims. Created procedural handbook; checklists and forms for transportation and premises liability claims. Represented plaintiffs in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death practice. Successfully defended clients in tort litigation and childhood sexual abuse claims. Provided limited assistance and representation in domestic relations matters.