Break New Ground
a comprehensive one-stop shop for all of your zoning needs
Serving Greater Chicago
Legal services
Our Value
to You
The zoning process is expensive, time consuming, and uncertain. Hiring Birchwood Law® will help you streamline the steps and improve the viability of your project
- Experience navigating bureaucratic processes
- Forceful but respectful advocacy
- Practical Solutions
Services
Whether you have a mixed-use, residential, commercial, or an industrial project, we are ready to assist you every step of the way
Our Practice Areas
- Variations
- Text/Map Amendments
- Special Use Permits
- Planned Development
- Annexation of Land
- Subdivision of Land
- Administrative Appeals
- Zoning Litigation
- Municipal Licensing & Permitting
- Government Relations
- Real Estate General Counsel Services
Katarina Karac
Her prior experience as a public sector attorney who represented development agencies gives Katarina a unique understanding of how planning staff, zoning administrators and elected officials think about land use matters and zoning applications. On the private sector side, Katarina has been before many boards and commissions, neighborhood groups, and elected officials, consistently working to build consensus with a high success rate in resolving clients’ matters.
A skilled zoning attorney with a sincere enthusiasm for assisting clients through the entitlement phase of development, Katarina enjoys bringing efficiency and predictability to the process. She works with real estate developers, investors, businesses and property owners. Prior projects consist of mixed-use, residential, commercial and industrial developments, including office buildings, warehousing facilities, shopping centers, residential subdivisions and multi-family development.
Katarina is an active member of the legal community and she regularly presents at seminars and CLEs on the topic of zoning and land use.
Bar Admission
- ILLINOIS
- OHIO
Education
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D.
Entrepreneurial Business Law Journal, Managing Editor
University of Illinois at Chicago, B.A.
Honors College, summa cum laude
Tenyse Gooden
Tenyse is a seasoned legal professional highly experienced in civil litigation and real estate law. With more than a decade of experience, she has worked with a diverse range of clients, including banks, corporations, and individuals in various legal proceedings and real estate transactions throughout the State of Illinois. In addition to her work with Birchwood Law Atty. Tenyse is also an Adjunct Professor at UIC Law School, where she teaches second-semester legal writing.
Bar Admission
- ILLINOIS
Education
The John Marshall Law School, J.D.
Deans List 2011, Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Society
Chicago State University
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Cum Laude
Testimonials
Katerina helped earn the support of Columbus City Council on one of our companies most challenging real estate developments to date. We couldn't have done it without her knowledge, strength, quick thinking and strong desire to do the right thing. We were lucky to have her representing us.
So, what's next...
- Tell us about your problem
- We'll create a plan
- Let's work to get it solved