Suzanne Bessette-Smith

As co-chair of the Firm’s Real Estate Group, Suzanne concentrates her practice on commercial real estate and related corporate, securities, and business planning matters. Her practice includes a particular emphasis on publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs). She also has significant experience in (a) the formation of joint ventures that combine developers and other real estate professionals with institutional financial partners, (b) acquisition, disposition, and financing of franchised hotels and (c) acquisition, disposition, and financing of long-term ground leased properties. Additionally, Suzanne’s practice includes experience with Shari’ah-compliant financings, multi-jurisdictional portfolio acquisitions and financings, tax-deferred exchanges, leasing, acquisitions, and dispositions.

In 2019, Chambers USA recognized the Real Estate Group in Band 1 for the 12th consecutive year, noting – “Never worry about their ability to grasp the essentials of a deal and define the risks. They take a real business perspective.” Suzanne has been individually recognized as a top Illinois real estate lawyer by both Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America© for more than a decade.

Activities & Honors

• Selected, Real Estate Law, The Best Lawyers in America© (2008-2021)
• Selected, Illinois Super Lawyers (2007-2020)
• Selected, Leading Lawyers Network (2004-2020)
  • Top Ten Women: Real Estate (2015-2016)
  • Real Estate Law: Commercial
  • Real Estate Law: Finance
  • Top 100 Women Business Lawyers, Women's Edition (2012)
• Ranked, Illinois Real Estate, Chambers USA (2008-2020)
• Member, American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL)
• Instructor, Advanced Real Estate Transactions, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law (2001-2008)