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C. Elizabeth Darke

Member

Elizabeth Darke is the director of the real estate and environmental practice group. She has over 25 years of experience representing national lenders in real estate financing transactions. Liz focuses her practice on complex lending transactions, representing landlords and tenants in commercial leases and ground leases, and the acquisition and disposition of real estate. As the director of the Real Estate and Environmental Practice Group, Liz leads the strategic development of the practice, including ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services, expansion of service offerings and business growth, as well as talent acquisition, mentoring and development.

Prior to serving as the Director, Liz served as the firm’s professional personnel member, overseeing associate development, compensation and elevation to membership.

In her law practice, Liz serves as a trusted advisor to her clients, adept at guiding them through significant deals, and tirelessly advocating on their behalf to ensure the best possible outcomes. For this reason, she has been recognized repeatedly for her professional accomplishments, including being listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America, recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business Leading Women in Law and Crain’s Chicago Business Gen X Notable Leaders, and most recently, named to Connect CRE’s Women in Real Estate Awards for 2023, among others.

Liz is known for her strategic, thoughtful approach to engagements, handling matters with a blend of leadership and collaboration. In addition to commercial lending transactions, Liz has extensive experience in office, retail, and industrial lease transactions on behalf of both landlords and tenants. She has represented developers in connection with the securitized financing of shopping malls, retail centers, and other commercial properties across the country.

Liz leverages her expansive knowledge of real estate and financing to focus on the issues that determine whether a transaction will be beneficial to her client and get them to the finish line expeditiously. 

“I value the trust my clients place in me each day, and I am steadfast in my commitment to helping them reach their objectives. Client service is the foundation of my practice and I’m grateful for their confidence and trust.”
    • State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D., cum laude, Law Review, Articles Editor
    • Syracuse University, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

  • Bar Admissions

    • Illinois, 2002

    • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for Real Estate Law, 2013-2023

    • Recognized in 2023 Women in Real Estate from Connect Commercial Real Estate

    • Recognized on Crain's Chicago Business' Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law list, 2022

    • Recognized in Crain's Chicago Business 2018 and 2020 list of Notable Women Lawyers in Chicago

    • Named an Illinois Leading Lawyer in the area of Real Estate Law: Commercial, Real Estate Law: Finance, by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014-2017

    • Chicago Mortgage Attorneys Association
    • American Bar Association
    • Chicago Bar Association
    • Building Owners and Managers Association of Suburban Chicago (BOMA/Suburban Chicago)

Contact

Chicago312-627-2293

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Press Releases10.16.23

Liz Darke Earns 2023 Women in Real Estate Award From Connect Commercial Real Estate

Dykema is proud to announce that Liz Darke was honored by Connect Commercial Real Estate (Connect…

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Press Releases12.8.22

Liz Darke and Andrew Scott Named to Crain’s Chicago Business “Notable Gen X Leaders” List

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Liz Darke and Andrew Scott were each…

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