Each year, Midwest Real Estate News inducts a new class into its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Here is a look at the career of one of our newest inductees, Stephen Sandler, partner with the Chicago office of law firm Gould & Ratner.
More than five decades. That’s how long Stephen Sandler has spent counseling and advising developer and investor clients on commercial real estate acquisitions, leases, development and financing.
It’s little wonder, then, that Sandler, a partner with Chicago’s Gould & Ratner, has become such a trusted partner to real estate investors and developers in the Chicago market.
The obvious question? What has kept Sandler in this career for so long?
This industry veteran points to his passion for law and commercial real estate. He truly loves his job and working with his clients.
When asked what he most likes about commercial real estate law, Sandler says, “Interacting with diverse people and seeing a development or value-add project come to fruition.”
During his long career, Sandler has served as an advisor on projects that are both complex and involve high stakes. This includes working on transactions involving major office buildings, hotels, apartment buildings, industrial properties and unimproved land.
Sandler has earned these high-profile jobs thanks to his innate skill in structuring transactions and all phases of financing so that his clients can most efficiently and cost-effectively meet their goals. He has vast experience in all types of financing, including construction, interim, permanent, mezzanine, securitized and equity funding that is provided by banks, institutions, pension funds, REITs and private lenders.
Though he’s built a career that has lasted for more than 55 years, Sandler hasn’t relied on any secret tricks. When asked how he’s remained so successful for so long, his answer is simple: “Due diligence and preparation.” He also cites the importance of hard work and being willing to interact with many people.
Not surprisingly, considering his long career and the loyalty of his clients, Sandler has earned several honors during his time in real estate law. U.S. News named him a Best Lawyer in 2022 and 2023 and he has been honored as a Super Lawyer since 2005. He has also been named an Illinois Leading Lawyer in the areas of commercial real estate law and real estate finance.
Despite the challenges of building such a long and successful career, Sandler has found time to give back to his community. He serves as a board member of CJE Senior Life and was a previous chairman of this organization. He also is a board member of North Side Housing and previously served as a member of the board of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.
A successful career is important, but it’s not the only ingredient of a happy life. Sandler, fortunately, knows how to best spend his time away from the job. He enjoys bicycling, skiing, reading and gardening. When he’s in the mood for culture, he enjoys attending the theater, opera and symphony.
