Christopher Steven Montgomery

Experience

I have been practicing law in Joliet since 2006, mainly focusing in Real Estate Transactions, Mechanics Liens, and Social Security law.  I have since stopped taking new clients for Social Security with the exception of a few long-standing clients.  My primary practice area these days consists almost exclusively of transactional real estate (representing clients who are buying and selling homes).

Real Estate Practice

The three keys to a good real estate practice are organization, simple fee rates, and professional relationships.  The typical things a real estate attorney handles in conjunction with a client are negotiating repair issues, preparing the closing documentation, drafting encumbrances (in the appropriate case), working with the lender to insure that the final figures are correct, drafting deeds to insure that the property is held in the most-beneficial type of holding, and reviewing real estate contracts for problems or issues.  My organization skills focus on date-planning and capping my cases; I set out a calendar for the closing and follow those dates and I cap my cases at 20 at any given time so that each case gets the attention it needs and deserves.  This helps avoid errors.  I also have professional relationships with surveyors, realtors and mortgage lenders to assist clients who are just starting the process of buying or selling their home. 

All of my fees in real estate matters are for a set price (no padding my hours) and are usually contingent (you don't buy/sell a house, I don't get paid).  The only exception to this flat-fee, contingent rule is drafting of encumbrances (such as easements and leaseholds, for example). 

All my clients and their realtor are given my cell phone number very early in the transaction so either of them may call me any time they want.  I take evening and weekend calls and appointments (subject to availability).  With me, you get the personal service you deserve and do my best to earn every dollar you pay me.

Mechanics Liens

Mechanics liens cases is a specialty area of mine which I have pursued since graduating law school.  I primarily focus on "perfecting" mechanics liens so that they can survive a court challenge; I have filed suits in court to foreclose mechanics liens as well, both for owners and contractors.  These included a $1.9 million claim in which I co-chaired a two-week trial defending against a claim on behalf of the owner and a $750,000 suit in which I prosecuted a claim on behalf of a contractor.

Education

I earned my B.A. from Eastern Illinois University in 1999.  I earned my J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2002.  I have been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 2002.

Malpractice Insurance and ARDC Claims

I carry a malpractice insurance policy to protect my clients, but have never had a claim filed against me in 14 years.  I have never been disciplined by the Attorney Regulatory and Disciplinary Commission.

Personal

I live in Joliet with my wife, Katie, and our three children: Henry, Stella, and Everett.  On my days off, I run "Daddy Daycare" while my wife goes to work.