Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit Introduce
For community and condo associations in Chicago and throughout Illinois, navigating the complex world of legal governance, disputes, and compliance is a constant challenge. Having an experienced legal partner who understands the unique intricacies of HOA and condo law is not just a benefit—it's a necessity. This article provides a detailed overview of Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, a law firm with a strong presence in Chicago, known for its focus on providing legal services to these specific communities. From interpreting intricate bylaws to handling collection matters and legal disputes, the firm plays a crucial role in supporting effective community management. We will explore their location, the specific services they offer, and key features that highlight their professional approach, all based on publicly available information and client feedback. The firm's reputation is built on a foundation of detailed legal work, a commitment to a team-based approach, and a focus on providing clear guidance, making them a significant resource for community leaders and property managers in the Chicago area.
In the world of community associations, legal issues can range from simple bylaw interpretations to complex, drawn-out disputes. The attorneys at Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit are dedicated to helping their clients manage these challenges. Client experiences suggest a practice that is known for its meticulous attention to detail, often involving multiple attorneys to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of their legal work. While this detailed approach may come with a higher cost, it also reflects a commitment to precision, which is a key attribute for a law firm. The firm also strives to make complex legal information accessible to laypeople, as evidenced by their informational blog which translates "legalese" into understandable terms. This commitment to client education is a notable feature, indicating a desire to empower their clients with knowledge. This overview aims to give a balanced perspective on what to expect when working with this well-established firm.
Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit is conveniently situated in downtown Chicago at 640 N La Salle Dr Suite 495, Chicago, IL 60654, USA. This central location in the bustling River North neighborhood makes the firm easily accessible to clients from across the city and the surrounding suburbs. Its prime address is well-connected to public transportation and major roadways, providing convenience for board members, property managers, and other clients who need to visit the office for meetings. The firm's location in a key business district also reflects its status as a prominent player in the Illinois legal community, particularly in the niche of community association law.
The firm demonstrates a commitment to accessibility by offering features that accommodate all visitors. The building provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that individuals with mobility challenges can enter the premises with ease. Additionally, a wheelchair-accessible restroom is available within the office, which adds to the comfort and convenience for clients. The presence of a general restroom is also a standard amenity that contributes to a professional and welcoming environment. These considerations highlight the firm's awareness of client needs and its effort to provide an inclusive space for everyone. The firm's physical office is designed to be a professional setting for discussing legal matters, and these accessibility features are a key part of that client-focused approach.
Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit specializes in a range of legal services tailored specifically to community associations. Their expertise is concentrated on the unique legal needs of condominiums, townhomes, and homeowner associations, ensuring that they can provide highly relevant and effective counsel. Their services cover a wide spectrum of legal issues that associations commonly face, from day-to-day governance to complex litigation. The firm's attorneys are adept at interpreting and applying the specific bylaws of each association, providing a level of detail that clients find valuable. Their key services include:
- Legal Representation: Providing robust legal counsel for community and condo associations in a variety of situations.
- HOA Law: Handling all legal aspects of homeowner associations, including covenant enforcement, collections, and contract review.
- Condo Association Law: Specialized legal services for condominium associations, including navigating board governance, bylaw enforcement, and disputes.
- Collections: Assisting associations with the process of collecting overdue assessments from homeowners, a critical aspect of financial health.
- Governing Document Interpretation: Providing meticulous review and analysis of condo and HOA bylaws to ensure compliance and proper enforcement.
- Litigation: Representing associations in court for legal disputes, from board conflicts to covenant violations.
Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit is distinguished by several key features that shape the client experience. These highlights are based on insights from clients and the firm's operational model, showcasing their unique approach to legal services. The firm's model is one of deep, thorough analysis, often involving multiple team members to ensure accuracy. This is a point of both praise and contention for clients, but it speaks to a fundamental commitment to being comprehensive.
- Meticulous Legal Analysis: The firm is known for its "fine-toothed comb" approach to legal documents like condo bylaws. Attorneys at the firm will reportedly read every word to ensure their legal advice is correct and well-founded, which helps avoid future legal complications for the client.
- Team-Based Approach: Rather than relying on a single attorney, the firm may assign a team to review documents and provide counsel. This collaborative model is designed to ensure accuracy and a thorough understanding of the client's needs, although it can contribute to higher costs.
- Responsive Individuals: While client experiences with overall firm communication may vary, specific team members, such as a Single File Representative and Collection Department Supervisor, have been noted for being consistently responsive and helpful.
- Public Education and Communication: The firm's blog is a notable feature, praised for its ability to explain complex legal concepts in "laymen terms." This effort to educate clients and the community demonstrates a commitment to transparency and knowledge-sharing.
- Commitment to Accessibility: The firm provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom, making its legal services available to a broader range of the community.
For community association boards and property managers interested in working with Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, reaching out is a straightforward process. The firm is located at 640 N La Salle Dr Suite 495, Chicago, IL 60654, USA. This central Chicago address makes them a convenient option for clients across the metropolitan area. The best way to initiate contact is by phone. You can reach the firm's main line at (312) 372-3227. For mobile or long-distance callers, the number is +1 312-372-3227. It is recommended to have all relevant information about your community or association's legal needs ready when you call to ensure a productive initial conversation. The firm’s professional staff can guide you on the next steps and connect you with the appropriate legal professional to discuss your specific case.
When considering a legal partner for your condo or community association in Illinois, Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit presents a compelling case, but it's important to understand what makes them a distinct choice. Their most significant strength is their deep and detailed approach to community association law. Unlike firms that might "breeze through" legal documents, Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit is known for its meticulous review of bylaws and governing documents. This can result in a more expensive legal bill, as reported by some clients, but it also provides a level of legal security and accuracy that can prevent future complications. For an association that values thoroughness and wishes to avoid legal missteps, this is an invaluable asset. The firm's collaborative, team-based approach to legal work, while potentially increasing costs, ensures that multiple professional opinions are considered, strengthening the quality of their advice. While some clients have reported communication issues with specific attorneys regarding updates and billing, other client experiences praise the responsiveness and friendliness of individual representatives and department supervisors. This suggests that the client experience may be influenced by the specific team members they interact with, but the firm itself is capable of delivering excellent service and, importantly, is honorable in addressing client concerns, as evidenced by a willingness to provide a credit for an un-communicated fee. The firm's commitment to public education through their blog is a strong positive, showing a desire to empower clients and the public with knowledge in "laymen terms," a quality that is highly beneficial in a specialized legal field. Ultimately, choosing Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit means opting for a law firm that prioritizes legal rigor and accuracy above all else, making them a solid choice for associations that want their legal matters handled with a fine-toothed comb and a commitment to detail.
Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Amenities
- Restroom
Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit Photos








Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit Location
Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit
640 N La Salle Dr Suite 495, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I read through these reviews and I think the positive reviews are correct and the negative reviews are equally correct. Because this appears to be a sizable law firm, it's a roll of the dice who you get. I interacted with this law firm from 2020 to 2022 and had a high-high experience and a low-low experience.Communication (pros): From my PERSONAL experience, the Single File Representative Raquel and the Collection Department Supervisor Adam were really nice to me, always responsive, friendly and patient. They were quick to respond to anything I asked. Robert B. Kogen was responsive too.Communication (cons): I've worked for three law firms (for marketing, editing and technical needs) so I've seen the other side of responsiveness for law firms. This is where Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit's lawyers could be better. They are really bad at keeping you informed of court dates, the results from court dates and will send bills for work you didn't know they did. This is something I hope they've corrected over the past couple of years. I did complain about it, and our condo association was given a credit for one fee I had no idea we were being charged for. I thought that was honorable, even though the case was drawn out due to COVID-19 and courts being closed.The latter would normally make me leave a lower review. However, the reason my star rating is right in the middle is because Kovitz will read condo bylaws with a fine-toothed comb. When I was asked to contact them again as a prior condo board president and condo board treasurer, it didn't take more than a day before they realized an "extraordinary/special" meeting that was held with a few owners was lazily done, didn't follow ANY of the bylaws and the attorney who was hired to defend this meeting didn't read one word from our bylaws. Their letter detailed all the flaws in that meeting. I respect that.Going back to the three law firms I've worked for (no longer work for one, still work with the other two), they are also sticklers for dissecting every word as credible attorneys SHOULD. It bothers me when law firms will take your money to haphazardly breeze through something. Kovitz is the exact opposite. You may actually pay more because they'll get a team of attorneys to read the same doc to make sure their decision is correct before replying to a client. This can be expensive!This law firm was far from perfect, but I also didn't have a one-star or two-star experience with them. So I thought three was a safe rating. The rates are definitely high and will make you just want to settle, but I could say the same for other law firms too. But when I left the board, I didn't leave with a negative experience overall. Plus, I also like their blog. They were the first law firm to announce the "Community Association Manager" change in Illinois law. I think their blog speaks in laymen terms, and it comes in handy for people who don't speak legalese.
April 14 · Shamontiel VaughnI rarely leave reviews, but my experience with Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, and specifically attorney Sarah Hopkins, has been deeply disappointing. I’ve been trying for over a year to get my HOA to enforce basic community rules, including unresolved garage door violations and landscaping issues that have gone ignored despite multiple complaints. When I pushed for accountability and transparency, instead of addressing the concerns, the association’s legal counsel sent me a cease and desist letter accusing me of harassment for simply asking for updates.When I requested an itemized breakdown of charges related to documents (which I was told would cost $65/hour), it took over two months to get a response—despite follow-ups. I was then told I’d receive a call on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM to discuss both the correspondence and my concerns. That call never happened. No explanation was given, no rescheduling, no follow-up. When I followed up myself, I received no acknowledgment.This behavior feels more like intimidation than representation. Instead of working with homeowners to resolve concerns, they appear to function as a shield for the HOA’s neglect. If you're looking for legal professionals who are responsive, respectful, and solution-oriented—this firm isn’t it.
June 17 · Alex PetersMy experience with this law firm (representing my now dissolved condo association) has been horrible and still isn’t done yet. They are completely dismissive, ignore calls and emails, basically feels to me they don’t honestly care as they’ve got our money already. Residents have been waiting on money due to us and they have given us no rhyme reason or explanation other than a super generic response one time after I had contacted their office constantly for over a month, I would give negative stars if u could. If you are looking for someone to represent your association my opinion would be to run the other way and not look back. They are beyond horrible!!! Also laughable that when you receive an unfavorable comment as I’ve seen in other posts that you ask that posters directly contact you. Umm you don’t reply typically as to my personal experience and pertinence and basically you’re asking to police yourselves which will get everyone nowhere. I mean if you can’t and won’t respond here and won’t in other method of communication to your office then ask us to trust to send comment through your own office???? Really?
July 26 · Kelly PetersonWe recently re-engaged KSN to represent our Condo Association, and have been very pleased. Quick responses, courteous, polite, and knowledgeable. Bob has been our primary point of contact - nothing but positive things to say about him.
March 08 · Nick LulloAttorneys Kelly and Jonathan from KSN are not only highly skilled and knowledgeable in their respective fields, but they also possess a genuine compassion for their clients. They took the time to listen to our concerns, understand the nuances of our case, and provided us with clear and concise legal advice. Their attention to detail and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for our condo association was truly remarkable. They were consistently transparent about the progress of our case, the challenges, and the steps they were taking to achieve a fair resolution. They worked with us for 3 or 4 grueling years, constantly hit with unbelievable obstacles one after another. They didn’t give up on us and we are so grateful and appreciative for all their work and sacrifices.
April 13 · Fern Perez
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