A GENERALLY CIVIL LAW PRACTICE

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injury claims
Corporate Services
Real Estate Law
Bike Law
Wills, Trusts, & Probate
everyone else has them, wanna see where I point people?
Here's how to reach me
My Credentials and Mission Statement

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Angelic Organics Community Supported Agriculture Support Your Farmer!

Chicago Cycling Club
chicago cycling club

Chicagoland Bicycle Federation
Chicagoland Bicycle Federation

Working Bikes

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My name is Michael Wasserman. I practice law in Chicago, Illinois and the surrounding counties.

The law touches (intrudes) on many aspects of our lives. I focus on civil matters (as distinguished from criminal cases), in four basic practice areas:

  • Protecting the rights of the injured, especially bicycle riders!
  • Real Estate Closings and other matters affecting property
  • Wills, Estate Planning and Probate of Estates
  • Business organization and operation.

I built this web site to introduce my practice to you, to share a little of my knowledge and experience with you and to help point you to other sources on the web that may be of interest to you. If you poke around long enough, you might find some fun bits in here too.

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My practice is limited geographically to the great State of Illinois and more specifically, to Chicago, Cook County, and its surrounding environs. I office at 221 North LaSalle Street, downtown and I am happy to meet with clients and prospective clients there during normal business hours, by appointment.

Where the circumstances warrant, I can also arrange for a home or hospital visit.

In almost every circumstance, your initial consultation is free, with my compliments.

Cynics and comedians can say what they want about lawyers and the law. I truly believe that ours is a noble profession. I am proud to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandfather as a member of the bar and an advocate for my clients. I am honored to follow their lead. and I am glad to be of service.

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our fair city; that's me over there
photo courtesy of John Giolas

NEW RADON DISCLOSURE FORMS NOW POSTED IN THE "CLOSINGS" FORM LIBRARY
REAL ESTATE AGENT ADVISORY
CYCLING LAW CENTER
PROPERTY TAX CENTER
LANDLORD TENANT CENTER

COOK COUNTY PROPERTY TAX CENTER

BILLS

Check property tax payment status at the Cook County Treasurer's Web Site - this site requires a PIN (Property Identification Number)

ASSESSMENTS

Look up PIN numbers; property assessed valuations; & see drive-by photos of the parcel. Search online at: Cook County Assessment Search.

EXEMPTIONS

Apply for Homeowner and Senior Citizen exemptions every year to take advantage of the savings. Renew online at: Cook County Assessor's Web Site

SENIOR CITIZENS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Seniors have special rights / priviledges to lower and/or defer tax bills. MORE INFO.

REAL ESTATE AGENT ADVISORY

an occassional report to realtors and clients

SHOOT FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER?

Many people believe that their lawyers can get them out of their real estate contracts if they change their minds or get better offers. Most common forms of real estate contracts do not afford this type of protection (however, one still does). Find out more in my March, 2003 Reat Estate Agent Advisory

HOME BUYERS: Get a CLUE!!

Too many claims on a home-owners insurance policy may make it impossible to buy new insurance. This central registry can help you identify "problem properties". Find out more in my December, 2002 Real Estate Agent Advisory

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CYCLISTS & ROAD RAGE

Anectdotal evidence suggests that incidents of road rage against cyclists are on the rise. Overall, road rage seems to occur more often on sunny days (70% of the time by one study), in the afternoon 40% between 2:00 & 6:00 p.m.), especially on Fridays. for more information about cycling injuries and legal rights,

INTEREST RATES ON SECURITY DEPOSITS UNDER CHICAGO LANDLORD TENANT ORDIDANCE

City of Chicago Landlords who must pay interest on security deposits under the Chicago Landlord Tenant Ordinance "owe" tenants 1.26% interest for 2008. The rate is computed annualy pursuant to the Ordinance. It is based on the average of the interest rates paid for 6-month CDs, insured money markets and passbook savings accounts by the Chicago bank with the larget total asset value.

The 2008 rate is 1.26%
The 2007 rate was 1.68%
The 2006 rate was 1.71 %
The 2005 rate was 1.01 %
The 2004 rate was 0.42 %
The 2003 rate was 0.52%
The 2002 rate was 0.83

PLEASE NOTE: Under our Supreme Court's Rules of Professional Conduct, these pages might be considered a form of legal advertisement.

Just as important, please bear in mind that the information provided here is not specific legal advice, and you really shouldn't act on anything on this site without seeking professional counsel. While I hope that you do hire me to work for you, merely visiting this web site, or sending me an email should not (and will not) of itself create an attorney-client relationship between us. No one should hire a lawyer based on a visit to a web site or solely on some other form of advertisement. If and when you want to hire me as your lawyer, and if and when I agree to take on your case, we will sign a proper contract or I will give you some other type of written confirmation that we are attorney and client. Until then, please look around, enjoy yourself, and when you are ready, give me a call or drop me an e-mail .


email CONTACT ME AT::
221 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2040
Chicago, IL 60601
Voice: 312.726.1512
Fax: 312.873.4043
Email: Mwass@wasserlaw.net
ISBA

This document maintained by mwass@wasserlaw.net
Material Copyright © 2000 - 2008 Michael H. Wasserman