Todd Ryan Brand

I am an Illinois attorney focused exclusively on construction and real estate law. I represent contractors, subcontractors, property owners, developers, and businesses in both litigation and transactional matters arising from construction projects and property ownership.

I earned my law degree from Marquette University Law School and have been practicing construction law since graduating. My work involves handling construction disputes, addressing mechanics lien and payment issues, drafting and negotiating contracts, and litigating real estate matters connected to property rights and ownership disputes. I frequently advise clients on risk allocation, contract structuring, and dispute strategies throughout the lifecycle of construction projects and real estate investments.

Before I ever represented a contractor in a dispute, I managed a ground-up commercial build myself. In 2006, I opened a restaurant in Delavan, Wisconsin, and served as the construction manager — coordinating with architects and designers, managing the trades, and overseeing every phase of the project from planning to completion. Alongside years of hands-on renovation and construction work, this experience shapes my practical approach to addressing legal challenges in construction, rooted in the realities of how projects and businesses operate.

I take a direct and transparent approach to representation, working closely with clients to understand their goals, assess risks, and create strategies tailored to their objectives - whether that means resolving a matter through negotiation or taking it to court. I am licensed to practice in Illinois and primarily serve clients throughout Chicago, Cook County, and the surrounding counties.