Sharon Zaban is Co-Chair of the Banking Law Group at Aronberg Goldgehn as well as Co-Chair of the firm's Real Estate Group. She also sits on the firm's Executive Management Committee, and since 2023 has served as Co-Chair. 

Sheri concentrates her practice in all aspects of real estate law with a particular emphasis on real estate financing. She represents banks, life insurance companies and other financial institutions nationwide in a variety of secured real estate and commercial loan transactions, including construction loans, bridge loans and term loans. She also handles transactions involving loan workouts, restructurings, modifications, forbearance documentation, note sales, and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure transactions.

Additionally, she represents real estate owners and developers in connection with the development, acquisition, leasing and disposition of all types of real estate investments, including borrowing and construction.

Her experience includes the representation of buyers in the purchase of condominium buildings and subsequent deconversion to multi-family rental buildings. Her work often involves applying the Illinois Condominium Property Act to resolve objections raised by unit owners opposed to the sale.

Sheri feels client interaction and involvement is crucial in the transaction process to ensure meeting clients’ expectations. She connects personally with her clients to make sure they understand each step of the process from start to finish.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Representing life insurance companies in loans secured by multi-family, industrial, office and shopping center properties, including over $50 million loan portfolios

  • Representing financial institutions in loan restructurings which include loan modifications, forbearances, note sales and deeds–in-lieu of foreclosure

  • Representing real estate investors in the acquisition and financing of commercial real estate, including leasing and construction contracts for renovation work

SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Sheri joined Aronberg Goldgehn in May 2013. Sheri has served the firm as a member of the Executive Management Committee since 2022, and as Co-Chair since 2023. In this role, she focuses on specific management tasks including firm policy-making, strategic planning, and culture and relationship building.

In 2019, she was named to “Crain’s 2019 Notable Gen X Leaders in Law” list, published in Crain’s Chicago Business. In 2018, she was named by Crain’s Custom Media as a “Notable Woman Lawyer in Chicago.” In addition, she has been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Real Estate Law since 2013.

Also among her accolades, since 2015 Sheri has been recognized annually as a Leading Lawyer in Commercial Real Estate Law and Real Estate Financing by Illinois Leading Lawyers and has been included on its list of the Top 100 Women in Real Estate Law.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • CARPLS Legal Aid Hotline for Landlord and Tenant Issues

  • Legal Assistance Foundation's Pro Se Divorce Clinic

RELATED NEWS



University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, B.A.



BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS

  • Illinois, 1993

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Real Estate Finance Forum


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  • The Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate Law (2013-2020)
  • Crain’s Chicago Business's Notable Gen X Leaders in Law (2019)
  • Illinois Leading Lawyer in Commercial Real Estate Law and Real Estate Financing (2014-2020)
  • Crain's Chicago Bussiness's Notable Woman Lawyer in Chicago (2018)
  • Top 100 Women in Real Estate Law, Illinois Leading Lawyers

PERSONAL

Outside of the office, Sheri enjoys playing golf, running, biking and Pilates. She also loves to cook and bake.

What is one item on your bucket list? Traveling across America in an RV
What is your favorite place in Chicago? The lakefront
What is something most people don’t know about you? I have five children