Jaylan D. Williams, Esq., Mba Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

St Louis, Missouri, Us

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Champaign, Il, Us

Chicago, Illinois, Us

The John Buck Company is a premier, vertically-integrated real estate company that has focused its practice on vibrant urban markets in the United States. JBC is most well-known for pioneering the expansion of Chicago’s central business district by evolving Wacker Drive and driving other development west of there. It has since grown beyond this incredible feat to become a prominent player on the national stage. Since its founding in 1981, the company has made principal investments in assets totaling more than $6.7 billion in gross value, while successfully acquiring, developing, and redeveloping more than 42 million square feet of commercial and residential properties.Last summer, I had the privilege of joining the ranks of this organization premised on excellence as a Law Clerk to the company’s General Counsel. Within this capacity, I held the responsibility of assisting with the acquisition of government subsidies for projects, drafting and reviewing real estate, development, management, investment and joint venture-related agreements, while conducting due diligence on nearly all projects entering purchase-sale agreements. Above all of these things, I gained the invaluable experience of serving at the helm of the entire organization, serving as counsel to members in the investment group with matters pertaining to deal structuring, the feasibility of projects under existing ordinances, and aligning procedures to be compliant with applicable federal and state law.

In 2011, the Community Preservation Clinic at the University of Illinois was established to provide homeowners facing foreclosure in McLean County and Champaign County with legal assistance. Through its existence, the Clinic has successfully aided 100s of clients obtain favorable loss mitigation options during foreclosure proceedings. As a second-year law student, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in this client-focused experiential learning experience; advocating on behalf of individuals facing foreclosure. In pursuit of upholding the exceptional reputation of the Clinic and the University, I was challenged to leverage my critical thinking skills in introducing innovative solutions to assist clients of the clinic obtain favorable loss mitigation options. Through this result-oriented approach, I was able to successfully aid clients in either retaining their home or settling their contractual obligations in a manner most beneficial to the client. In addition to aiding my clients obtain favorable results under existing regulations, my intellectual curiosity led me to explore ways to change these regulations to increase the success rate of our Clinics services. In fulfilling these curiosities, I conducted research on an integral entitlement program utilized to aid clients at the Clinic, the Illinois Hardest Hit Program. More specifically, I realized that the program was flawed as it did not afford applicants who were denied in the preliminary stages to appeal the decision, which inhibited their rights to due process under the 14th amendment. Taking this into consideration, I shared my research with my peers through a publication in the Illinois’ Administrative Law Journal, which proffered the need for such opportunity within this program. In addition to sharing my research with my peers in the legal community, I also had the opportunity to consult the Director of the program come up with solutions to address this inadequacy.

Washington, D.C., Us

As a legal extern at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, I focused on the enforcement of stringent federal policies imposed on players, both developers and managers, within the fair housing space. More specifically, I investigated discrimination claims brought against these players under the Fair Housing Act. In performing this duty, I held the responsibility of collaborating with both the complainant and respondent in coming up with a cohesive recollection of the events that transpired prior to the complaint being filed. Once these facts were established, I composed a written determination, sharing my opinion with Senior Attorneys on whether there actually exist a violation that needed prosecution. In instances where a violation existed, I had the chance to aid violators in amending their policies to come within compliance of the Fair Housing Act.

New Orleans, La - Louisiana, Us

Champaign, Il, Us

Champaign, Il, Us

Chicago, Il, Us

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Real Estate Concentration

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Urban And Regional Planning

Education record