Peter Tsantilis

PARTNER

Peter Tstantilis

Peter Tsantilis is a partner in The Law Offices of Liston & Tsantilis, P.C. He represents clients in the areas of property tax litigation and incentives, land use/zoning, complex industrial and commercial real estate transactions/leasing and eminent domain litigation.  

Mr. Tsantilis works with clients throughout every stage of their involvement with an asset, whether related to ongoing real estate tax and tax incentive management strategies and litigation, acquisition/disposition, leasing, redevelopment or the maximization of an eminent domain award accruing in the event of a taking.  The combination of Mr. Tsantilis’ wide-ranging knowledge of real estate law and extensive litigation experience has allowed him to effectively address the broad spectrum of issues facing a diverse group of clients in today’s real estate industry.

Publications and Seminars

Mr. Tsantilis plays an active role in the continuing legal education of attorneys and real estate professionals through his authorship of the following publications and his presentation of seminars focused on topics within his practice areas:

  • Commercial Real Estate Sale Contracts (Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), 2021)
    This Chapter of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education's Commercial Real Estate: Financing and Transactional Issues publication explores the components of commercial real estate sale contracts and the issues that arise in the negotiation and review thereof.  This is a widely recognized practical resource for attorneys practicing in commercial real estate.


  • Property Tax Appeals and Incentives (AIRE – Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers, 2017-2019) 
    Provides an overview of the real estate tax assessment and appeal process, including appeal strategy.  Also explores available real estate tax incentives in Illinois. 


  • The Nuts and Bolts of a Tax Appeal (The Appraisal Institute, 2009; 2016) 
    Represented the taxpayer in a mock trial presented to attorneys, appraisers and other real estate professionals.  This program highlights the direct and cross-examination testimony, motions, opening/closing statements and trial strategy that are crucial to a successful real estate tax appeal. 


  • Taxable and Exempt Property (Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), 2016; 2020)
    This Chapter of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education's Real Estate Taxation publication discusses the procedures and requirements for the taxation and exemption of real property and related issues.  It is widely recognized as a practical resource for attorneys practicing in real estate taxation.


  • Due Diligence for Leases on Commercial Properties (Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), 2011; 2016; 2021) 
    This Chapter of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education's Commercial Real Estate publication discusses issues to be addressed when negotiating and reviewing industrial and commercial leases. It provides an in-depth analysis of topics that are central to the decision making process and should be explored as part of any lease analysis. The publication is widely regarded as a practical resource for attorneys practicing in real estate.
  • Eminent Domain (Chicago Bar Association, 2013)
    Provides an overview of Illinois Eminent Domain Law while exploring long-standing principles, recent developments, discovery and evidentiary matters.  Also includes a quick-take case study involving damages to the remainder.

  • Tax Protests (Illinois State Bar Association, 2011) 
    Explores the real estate tax assessment and appeal process and the evidence and strategies available to property owners facing an excessive assessment. 

  • Tax Protests/Assessment Appeals (Illinois State Bar Association, 2008) 
    Provides an overview of the real estate tax assessment and appeal process from beginning to end. Explores the composition of a real estate tax assessment and the various pieces of evidence and strategies that will allow for a successful appeal. 

  • Title Insurance Law - Advanced Issues (National Business Institute, 2008) 
    An advanced look at complex title insurance and escrow issues facing practitioners along with solutions that allow transactions to proceed. 

  • Real Estate Closings A-Z (National Business Institute, 2008) 
    An in-depth analysis of the various stages of a closing and the documentation that is needed in order to resolve many issues that arise during a real estate transaction. 

  • A Comprehensive Look at Title Insurance Today (National Business Institute, 2007) 
    Explores a wide variety of title issues affecting transactions and how to handle them.  Reviews recent changes to title insurance coverage. 

  • Illinois Eminent Domain (Illinois State Bar Association, 2006) 
    Provides an overview of the condemnation process and explores the damages available to a landowner in the event of a taking. 

Honors and Awards

  • 40 Under Forty Illinois Attorneys to Watch 2013
  • Chicago Daily Law Bulletin / Chicago Lawyer
  • Leading Lawyer 2021
  • Law Bulleting Publishing Company
  • (top 5% of Illinois lawyers named by their peers in statewide surveys)
  • Leading Lawyer 2020
  • Law Bulleting Publishing Company
  • (top 5% of Illinois lawyers named by their peers in statewide surveys)
  • Leading Lawyer 2019
  • Law Bulleting Publishing Company
  • (top 5% of Illinois lawyers named by their peers in statewide surveys)
  • Leading Lawyer 2018
  • Law Bulleting Publishing Company
  • (top 5% of Illinois lawyers named by their peers in statewide surveys)
  • Leading Lawyers Emerging Lawyers 2017
  • Law Bulletin Publishing Company 
  • Leading Lawyers Emerging Lawyers 2016
  • Law Bulletin Publishing Company 
  • Leading Lawyers Emerging Lawyers 2015
  • Law Bulletin Publishing Company 
  • Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2013
  • Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2012
  • Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2010

Organizations

  • NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Legislative Affairs Committee Member
  • Illinois State Bar Association Real Estate Law Section Council Member
    The Real Estate Law Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association is comprised of a group of attorneys practicing in the field of real estate. Among its tasks are to provide for continuing legal education through publications and educational seminars and to review and comment on bills introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives and the Senate. 
  • Illinois State Bar Association Member
  • Chicago Bar Association Real Estate Taxation Committee / Assessment & Appeals Subcommittee Member
  • Chicago Bar Association Real Property Law Committee Member
  • Chicago Bar Association YLS Real Estate Law Committee Legislative Liaison Chair
  • Chicago Bar Association YLS Executive Council Member
  • Chicago Bar Association Member
  • Institute for Professionals in Taxation Member

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, IL

    • Juris Doctor, cum laude , May 2003
    • Top 18% of Class
    • Dean’s List
    • Cali Award in Business Planning
    • Merit Scholarship

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Business Administration, Chicago, IL

    BBA, summa cum laude , May 2000 (concentrations in Economics and Finance)

    • Valedictorian
    • President’s Medallion
    • Dean’s Key
    • Economics Department Key
    • Finance Department Key
    • Alpha Kappa Psi Scholarship Key
    • Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key
    • Economics Department Professor’s Aid and Tutor
    • Dean’s Advisory Council, Treasurer 
    • Financial Management Association, Member 
    • Junior Achievement Program, Instructor
    • Presidential Scholarship
    • Sylvester J. Frizol Scholarship
    • Pan–Arcadian Scholarship
    • Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois Scholarship
    • St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen, Volunteer
    • Golden Key National Honor Society
    • Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society
    • Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society

Admissions

Mr. Tsantilis is admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
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