Michael D. Noonan
Special Counsel
Michael Noonan is a real estate attorney skilled at obtaining land use and zoning entitlements and building consensus between property owners, government officials, and community groups. As a problem solver, he works closely with clients and regulating bodies to come up with creative solutions to the legal problems facing building owners and developers.
Michael has experience securing special uses, rezonings, text amendments, administrative relief, subdivisions, public way, sign permits, and other land use approvals for a wide variety of property owners. He represents owners of institutional, commercial, office, and residential property, as well as developers, in securing land use and zoning entitlements from state and local governments. Michael has also worked on unique matters such as cannabis dispensaries, high-rise signs, renewable energy projects, and religious uses.
In addition to land use and zoning, Michael has handled eminent domain matters in Illinois, matters before the Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings, and in the Municipal Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County. While the primary focus of his land use practice is Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, he also has experience advising on land use matters across the country.
Michael is a member of the Real Estate Practice Group, Energy Sector, and Cannabis Industry Team.
Awards and Recognition
- Super Lawyers, Illinois Rising Stars (2024)
Affiliations
- Section council member of American Bar Association’s Section on State & Local Government
- Co-chair of American Bar Association’s Section on State & Local Government, Sharing Economy Committee
- Co-chair, Chicago Bar Association Local Government Committee
- Member, Illinois Bar Association
- Member, American Planning Association
Presentations and Publications
- Contributor, “Zoning & Land Use 101 – Series: Cross-Fit Training for Business Lawyers,” Financial Poise (2018-2023)
- Co-author, “New Chicago Air Quality Zoning Ordinance Adds Environmental Review Process; Public Participation Requirements,” The National Law Review (April 30, 2021)
- Author, “Shared E-Scooters and Liability: When Are Cities on the Hook?” American Bar Association’s Section on State & Local Government, State & Local Law News, Vol. 43, No. 2 (Winter 2020)
- Contributor, “Ezell v. City of Chicago: Resolving the Tension Between Zoning of Shooting Ranges and the Second Amendment,” Illinois State Bar Association’s Section of Local Governmental Law, Vol. 54, No. 1 (September 2017)
- Co-author, “Intergovernmental conflict: Ambiguity in the codification of Gurba,” Illinois State Bar Association’s Section on Local Government Law, Vol. 53, No. 6 (February 2017)
- Contributor, “Walking a Tightrope: Navigating Panhandling Regulation in Light of Reed v. Gilbert,” Illinois State Bar Association’s Section on Local Government Law, Vol. 53, No. 2 (August 2016)
- Presenter, “Scooters and Pedicabs and E-Bikes, Oh My! – Changes in the Use of the Public Right of Way,” Chicago Bar Association, Local Government Committee, Monthly CLE Presentation (October 2020)
- Panelist, “New Dimensions in Affordable Housing: Part 1 – New Paths to Affordability,” Chicago Bar Association, Local Government Committee, Annual Program (June 2020)
- Presenter, “Light Rail Networks” American Bar Association, Section on State & Local Government, Land Use Committee Call (November 2019)
- Contributor, “Nuts and Bolts of Land Use Law and Zoning” Land Use Law in Illinois – Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (March 2019)
- Contributor, “Zoning & Land Use 101 – Series: Cross-Fit Training for Business Lawyers,” Financial Poise (February 2018)
- Contributor, “NIMBYism: Understanding and Combatting Objections to Real Estate Developments,” Foley & Lardner LLP (April 2017)
Foley Advises Connections for the Homeless in Purchase of Hotel Shelter
Foley Secures Carvana Land Use Approvals for 14-Story Car Tower in Skokie, IL
Chicago’s Public Venue Vaccine Mandate – Does It Impact Cannabis Dispensaries?
