Nicole Karas
Naperville,IL
Summary
Accomplished Senior Counsel with extensive experience specializing in complex public construction projects, real estate matters and commercial transactions. Expert in negotiation and contract drafting, I excel in client relations and strategic planning for successful outcomes.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Counsel
Robbins Schwarz
Lisle, IL
01.2016 - Current
- Provide guidance to clients on various legal issues for public construction projects across all phases, from pre-design to project closeout and warranty period.
- Negotiate and draft architect, construction manager, owner representative and trade contractor agreements for small to complex public construction projects.
- Counsel clients on legal bidding requirements and draft bid documents for public construction projects.
- Negotiate resolutions for construction disputes, facilitating timely project completion and minimizing client risk.
- Assist clients with land acquisition and real estate development, including but not limited to annexations, real estate developer agreements, and purchase agreements.
- Counsel clients on various other real estate transactions and negotiate and draft contracts related to same, including but not limited to lease, easement and license agreements.
- Negotiate and draft power purchase agreements and lease of solar power on behalf of local units of government.
- Negotiate and draft various commercial contracts and intergovernmental agreements on behalf of units of local government.
- Regularly draft and interpret various policies for units of local government, including board policies, finance, purchasing and investment policies, operations and land acquisitions policies.
Senior Counsel
Tressler, LLP
Chicago, IL
02.2010 - 01.2016
- Negotiated and drafted architect, construction manager, owner representative, and trade contractor agreements for small to complex public construction projects.
- Counsel clients on legal bidding requirements and draft bid documents for public construction projects.
- Negotiate and draft various commercial contracts and intergovernmental agreements on behalf of local government units.
- Negotiate and draft various contracts related to real estate including but not limited to leases, easement and license agreements.
- Regularly drafted and interpreted policies for units of local government, including board, finance, purchasing, investment, operations, and land acquisitions policies, enhancing governance and operational efficiency.
Associate
Brooks, Adams & Tarulis
Naperville, IL
10.2004 - 02.2010
- Negotiated and completed legal due diligence for corporate financing, drafting and negotiating buy-sell and asset purchase agreements to ensure compliance and protect client interests.
- Form corporate entities, draft by-laws, stock purchase agreements and other incorporation documents, and provide general counsel for corporate clients.
- Draft and negotiate various contracts for corporate and government clients.
- Reviewed real estate documents, including title, survey, and environmental reports, providing assistance in negotiation and acquisition of real property for government clients to facilitate successful transactions.
- Advise corporate and government clients regarding intellectual property issues.
- Provide written response to tax objections on behalf of various local government units.
- Researched and drafted client opinion letters and memoranda of law on general business, commercial, real estate, local government, and estate issues to inform client decision-making.
- Assist in discovery and pre-trial phases for general business, commercial, real estate, and estate litigation.
Education
Juris Doctor -
DePaul University College of Law
Chicago, IL05.2004
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN05.1992
Skills
- Contract Drafting
- Negotiation
- Risk Management
- Governance
- Strategic planning
- Client Relations
- Client Collaboration
- Client counseling
- Communication skills
Bar Admission
Illinois
Timeline
Senior Counsel
Robbins Schwarz
01.2016 - Current
Senior Counsel
Tressler, LLP
02.2010 - 01.2016
Associate
Brooks, Adams & Tarulis
10.2004 - 02.2010
Juris Doctor -
DePaul University College of Law
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
Valparaiso University