Joseph R. Fortunato, Jr., B.A. (Political Science), Northern Illinois University, 1970 and J.D. 1973, John Marshall Law School. Prior to joining Momkus McCluskey, he was a sole practitioner and then a principal at Fortunato, Farrell, Davenport & Arnold, Ltd. (1983-2007) and at Fortunato, Knobbe, Davenport & Arnold, Ltd. (2007-09). In August 2009, he joined Momkus McCluskey as a partner heading up the firm's Real Estate Practice Group. Joe concentrates his practice in real estate transactional work (commercial and residential) and real estate litigation. For over 10 years he has served the ad hoc committee charged with drafting standardized residential real estate contracts for the northeastern Illinois area. His experience and achievements include:
- Joe has served as outside general counsel to Main Street Organization of Realtors since 2001.
- Joe was President of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association from 2002-04 and a member of the Board of Directors of IRELA since 1998.
- Joe has received the Board of Directors Award from the DuPage County Bar Association for outstanding service to the bar. In 2008, he was one of three attorneys to receive the Board of Governors Award from the ISBA in recognition of contributions to that association.
- Joe has been qualified as an expert witness in several real estate matters, and served in that capacity on behalf of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
- Joe was a Recipient for Outstanding Service Award from Realtor Association of the Western Suburbs.
- Joe has served as chair of the DuPage County Bar Association Real Estate Law and Practice Committee on three occasions and the Chair of the Real Estate Section Council of the Illinois Bar Association in 2005.
- Joe was a Special Assistant State's Attorney representing the DuPage County Division of Transportation in negotiation for land acquisition from 1996-2001.
Joe is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the DuPage County Bar Association. He currently resides in Wheaton. He authored a chapter on Disclosures for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and wrote several articles for the Illinois State Bar Association Real Property Newsletter. He coauthors the Real Estate Column for the Illinois Bar Journal. Joe is a former member of the Assembly for the ISBA, a licensed title agent for four title companies and a real estate licensing instructor.
Published Works:
- Chapter on "Disclosures" IICLE Residential Real Estate handbook, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2003
- "Recent Changes to the Standard DuPage County Residential Sales Contract", DuPage County Bar Association, May, 1996
- "Recent Revision to the Standard Residential Sales Contract", DuPage County Bar Association, September, 1994
- "The Expanding Role for Attorneys as Title Insurers--Alternatives to the Fund", DuPage County Bar Association, September, 1988
- A Modest Proposal - Earnest Money in New Construction
- A Modest Proposal - Liability for Property Inspectors
- Chicago Condominium Conversion Ordinance
- Civil Unions and Condo Assessments
- Homestead and Mortgages
- Mortgage Foreclosure and Divorce
Classes/Seminars Taught:
- Real Estate Licensing Course, Century 21 and Coldwell Banker, 1989 - 1995
- Real Estate Licensing Course (Cont. Ed.), Century 21 and Coldwell Banker, 1993 - 1996
- Seminar Presentation on Case Law Update, Illinois State Bar Association, 2000 - Present
- Seminar Presentation on Consumer Fraud/Broker Liability, DuPage County Association of REALTORS, 1990
- Seminar Presentation on Attorney/Realtor Cooperation, Realtor Association of the Western Suburbs, 1995
- Seminar Presentation on Recent Changes to Standard Residential Sales Contract, REALTOR Association of the Western Suburbs, 1996 - 1997
- Seminar Presentation on Recent Changes to Standard Residential Sales Contract, DuPage County Bar Association, 1999 - 2001
- Law Day Seminar Presentation, REALTOR Association of the Western Suburbs, 1999 - Present
- Condominum Law, DuPage County Bar Association Seminar, 1988
- Moderator of Seminar, DuPage County Bar Association, 1989 - 1997
- Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors Award - For numerous and ongoing contributions to the bar association and profession in real estate law matters, 2008
- DCBA Board of Directors Award, 2003
- Testified as an expert on title insurance matters on behalf of the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission in the case of In Re Andrew Joseph Rukavina
Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (IRELA), 1998 - Present, Director
- IRELA Liaison with Illinois Association of Mortgage Brokers, Member
- Illinois State Bar Association - Real Estate Law Section Council, Member
- Illinois State Bar Association - Real Estate Law Section Council, Former Chair
- Illinois State Bar Association - Standing Committee on Legislation, Member
- Illinois State Bar Association Assembly (18th Judicial Circuit), Former Member
- Illinois State Bar Association Subcommittee in Liaison with Illinois Association of Realtors, 1997 - Present, Member
- ISBA Real Property Newsletter, 1999 - Present, Associate Editor
- DuPage County Bar Association, 1985 - Present, Member
- Justinian Society of Lawyers, DuPage County Chapter, Member and Past President
Past Employment Positions:
- Fortunato, Knobbe, Davenport & Arnold, Ltd., Principal Partner, 2007 - 2009
- Fortunato, Farrell, Davenport & Arnold, Ltd., Partner, 1987 - 2007
- Davenport & Fortunato, Partner, 1983 - 1986
- Self-employed, Melrose Park, IL, Sole Practitioner, 1973 - 1983
Ancillary Businesses:
- Registered Title Agent for Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.
