The best landlord and tenant lawyers in Chicago in 2026 include The Landlord Law Firm and Abdilla & Associates for property owners, Caroline J. Smith & Associates and Loncar Law for eviction and lease disputes, and Leon J. Teichner & Associates and Bradford Miller Law for general real estate clients. Tenants with low incomes should start with the free CARPLS hotline.
| Firm | Office | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Landlord Law Firm | The Loop | Evictions and code violations | Property owners |
| 2. Abdilla & Associates | Naperville & Lisle | Flat-fee evictions for owners | Owners who want price certainty |
| 3. Caroline J. Smith & Associates | The Loop | Evictions and lease disputes | Owners in the city and south suburbs |
| 4. Loncar Law | The Loop | Landlord-tenant and evictions | Small landlords with several matters |
| 5. Leon J. Teichner & Associates | The Loop | Lease disputes, evictions and rent collection | Clients with a wider real estate or estate matter |
| 6. Bradford Miller Law | West Loop | Real estate for landlords and investors | Landlords with several properties |
Chicago rentals are governed by state law and, for most units, the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, which doesn't cover owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units. Most firms on this list represent landlords, and some say so directly. If you're a tenant, ask about this up front, and try free legal aid first: the CARPLS hotline is 312-738-9200.
A practice that works for property owners.
The Landlord Law Firm handles evictions, code violations defense, real estate closings, land trusts and foreclosure defense for owners, and says it handles the process from serving notice to appearing in court.
Good to know: Keep a copy of the lease, notices and rent ledger.
77 W Washington St, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60602
Publishes eviction prices and only represents owners.
Abdilla & Associates publishes flat fees for evictions by county, which is unusual, and says it only represents property owners in landlord-tenant matters. Its office is in Lisle.
Good to know: Eviction costs differ by county, so confirm yours.
650 Warrenville Rd, Suite 100, Lisle, IL 60532
A firm built around eviction work.
Caroline J. Smith & Associates focuses on eviction and landlord-tenant work, with offices on West Washington Street and in Homewood. Ask whether it currently takes tenant cases if you're a renter.
Good to know: Check that your notice is correct before filing.
77 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Handles real estate transactions as well.
Loncar Law handles landlord-tenant law and evictions as well as buying and selling, so it can follow a small landlord through a building's life cycle. It has an office on the East Side as well as in the Loop.
Good to know: Ask whether the RLTO applies to your building.
134 N LaSalle St, Suite 1860, Chicago, IL 60602
A long-established Loop practice that handles landlord-tenant matters.
Leon J. Teichner & Associates says it represents clients in lease disputes, evictions and rent collection, as part of a practice that also covers closings, title issues and probate. It cites 50 years of experience.
Good to know: Ask whether the firm would act for you as a tenant or a landlord.
181 W Madison St, Suite 4700, Chicago, IL 60602
A real estate firm that names landlords among its clients.
Bradford Miller Law says it serves buyers, sellers, investors and landlords, from the West Loop and offices in Naperville, Elgin and Lincolnshire. That suits an owner who also buys and sells property.
Good to know: Have the lease and a rent ledger ready for the first call.
216 S Jefferson St, Suite 601, Chicago, IL 60661
At least 5 days' written notice, and a lease can require longer but not shorter. Under Chicago's ordinance, a tenant can generally stay by paying back rent and filing fees before a judge issues an order of possession, once. See Illinois Legal Aid Online on unpaid rent.
It covers most rentals in Chicago but not owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units, among other exceptions. The city's official summary lists what's covered. Even in those smaller buildings, some protections, such as the ban on lockouts, still apply.
No. Self-help lockouts are prohibited by the ordinance, including utility shutoffs meant to force you out. A landlord generally needs a court order to remove you. If it happens, call for help immediately.
An individual owner may be able to file on their own behalf, but companies generally must have a lawyer, and mistakes in notices can force you to start over. Get advice if you're unsure.