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Joseph R. Fortunato Jr.
Lisle, Illinois

Partner, since 2009
phone (630) 434-0400 (Ext. 173)
fax (630) 434-0444
email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Joseph R. Fortunato, Jr., B.A. (Political Science), Northern Illinois University, 1970 and J.D. 1973, John Marshall Law School. Prior to joining Momkus, and 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 MainStreet 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 of 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.  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.

  • Areas of Practice:
    Residential & Commercial Real Estate
    Real Estate Litigation
    Bar Admissions:
    Illinois, 1973
    Education:
    John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, 1973
    J.D.


    Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, 1970
    B.A.
    Major:  Political Science


    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


    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


    Honors and Awards:
    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.
     
    Office Locations

    1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 | Lisle, Illinois 60532
    Phone: (630) 434-0400 | Fax: (630) 434-0444

    Thirty North LaSalle Street, Suite 2850 | Chicago, Illinois 60602
    Phone: (312) 345-1955 | Fax: (312) 346-8300