Smart, Creative Solutions
You do not want a “one-size fits all” approach, or to be relegated to a junior person.
Your situation is unique.
Our experience allows us to create solutions to fit each person’s your goals and needs.
Plain, Simple English
The law can be confusing.
Part of our job is to translate the legalese so you know and understand your options.
Then we help you focus on the important areas, so you can make informed choices.
Caring, Trusted Advocate
You want someone who both understands your situation and cares about you.
You receive our honest assessment of the best ways to represent your interests.
Our goal is to build trust—and a long-term relationship—with you.
Applying Law to Achieve Your Goals
“When facing a legal issue, you require more than a person who knows the law. You need someone who will 1) explain your options—and how each may affect other areas of your life or business, 2) develop creative solutions, and 3) put your interests first. That’s our focus and mission.” S. Keith Collins
After decades of experience working with large and small firms, and running a corporate legal department, Keith Collins opened his own practice in 2003. “I love practicing law,” he explains. “I personally represent my clients’ interests and want to become their trusted advisor.”
Keith’s clients range from families facing foreclosure, to business owners, entrepreneurs, banks, and affluent individuals and families. He enjoys applying his listening and analytical skills, experience, and creativity to produce pragmatic results.
Real Estate, Wealth Management and Business Background
Before starting his firm, Keith was an attorney with Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. There, he handled commercial real estate, finance, contracts, bond, and leasing matters for corporations, banks and other secured lenders.
That built upon his earlier experience with many types of legal needs and issues. Keith’s experience includes acquisitions, single-family condominium and industrial development, construction, financing, leasing, environmental, injunctive, antitrust, and varied general business litigation.
Keith also served as Acting General Counsel of ITT Commercial Finance Corp’s Real Estate Services Division. There he directed and supervised all litigation for a nationwide portfolio of commercial real estate loans and real estate owned (REO) assets. His responsibilities include law department budgeting, workouts, loan modifications, foreclosures, bankruptcies, construction, insurance, leasing, environmental, lender liability, licensing, and regulatory issues. He also handled multi-state portfolio auctions, acquisitions, loans and sale transactions.
“This varied background helps me create solutions that people whose practice focuses in only one area of law don’t think of,” Keith says.
Recognized Foreclosure Defense Experience
He regularly speaks on foreclosure defense topics and defends homeowner foreclosures in Cook County and Lake County Illinois Courts. Keith’s seminars—often standing room only events—frequently qualify for continuing legal education credits for other attorneys. In addition, he frequently contributes foreclosure-related articles to educate the public.
Keith received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago’s School of Law, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Keith also holds an Illinois Real Estate Broker’s License and a General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) issued by the Federal Communications Commission.
If you want an approachable, experienced lawyer you can talk to, who is non-threatening, listens and understands, contact us now at 847-831-2178 or keith@collinslawyer.com.