Out of law school, Dov Pinchot started as a young corporate law associate. He most enjoyed the art of negotiating deals, much more than the art of researching securities laws. After a few years, he requested to be transferred into the real estate department because real estate work involved constant negotiation of new deals.
“I think my experience in law school,” said Pinchot, Partner at Freeborn & Peters LLC, “At the University of Chicago, planted this love for negotiation, since one of my favorite classes was a course in “Getting to Yes”, a famous book on negotiating strategies.”
Now as one of the country’s elite leasing attorneys, Pinchot has represented many leading businesses in major real estate transactions throughout the United States. He’s taken note of many things over time, yet says treating people with respect, fairness and honesty, is the biggest lesson he’s learned.
“It won’t be long before you meet up with them again, especially in the real estate world,” he said. “Second, think like your client – your greatest value is in helping them to achieve, and not inadvertently obstruct, their goals.”
The constructive nature of real estate (sounds like a pun) -where both parties want to find a way to close the deal – really appeals to Pinchot, and explains why he entered the business and never looked back.
“I enjoy the creativity and interpersonal challenges inherent in the negotiations,” he said. “Another driving force is the ability to actually see the results of your deals – where a skyscraper or shopping center or other building is typically the result. For example, I feel excitement every time I drive by the new iFly indoor skydiving facility (a very unusual building) in Rosemont along the 294 Tollway.”
“It’s never stagnant,” Pichot said, in regards to what he enjoys most about commercial real estate. “Leverage is constantly changing, and must be taken into account on every deal, and in every negotiation. I least enjoy the billable hour. In many ways, it produces the greatest results for all involved. However, it’s the deals that excite me, not having to literally account for each minute of time spent.”
Pinchot’s mentors—individuals he describes as gentleman–lawyers— have also played a role in his career. “I find myself most inspired by really outstanding people who are also very successful in the business world. Jeff Owen of DLA, Larry Gray of Lord Bissell and Jordan Peters of Freeborn, are people I was proud to call my mentors in multiple facets of life.”
Freeborn & Peters LLC is a very successful company as well. Two things that are truly unique about the company, according to Pinchot, is their people are really fun to work with, which makes a difference in interacting with their clients and opposing counsel.
“Secondly, we have an incredible breadth of specialties for a midsize (app. 120 attorneys) law firm. That means we don’t have to outsource (or worse, guess at) answers and solutions to issues that arise. There’s almost always a former big firm attorney here who can tackle and solve a challenge.”
Recently Freeborn represented Zurich Insurance Company on its new complex headquarters transaction in Schaumburg.
“Which I believe is the largest Chicagoland real estate deal of the year,” said Pinchot. “The redevelopment of The Roosevelt Collection lifestyle center has been very exciting and rewarding. I have also enjoyed representing the iFly brand in its rollout of indoor skydiving facilities across the US because it’s such a novel and exciting new product.”
When Pinchot isn’t working, he most enjoys spending time with his wife and five kids.
“I have been introduced into the pop music world by our son Edon, who a couple of years ago performed on America’s Got Talent, and reached the semifinal round. Standing with Nick Cannon on national TV was my 90 seconds of fame.”
He also enjoys football, and with the season underway, for better or worse, he says he’s on the Chicago Bears roller coaster for life.
“My kids tell me I have to stop yelling at the TV during the games. They actually think the players can’t hear me.”
