Tina M. Bird

Partner

[email protected]

Phone: (312) 360-6384

Fax: (312) 360-6520

Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.

– Mattie Stepanek

About

About

Tina Bird is a Partner in the Real Estate Practice Group and Leader of the firm's Real Estate and Construction Litigation Team. Her practice is nationwide, including construction contract drafting and negotiation, arbitrations, civil trials, mediations, claim preparation and mid-project analysis.

Tina represents material suppliers, subcontractors, contractors, construction managers, design-builders, architects, owners and sureties in every aspect of their business.

Before joining Freeborn, Tina was a Partner at Clark Hill PLC in the Firm's Construction, Business and Corporate Transactions, Litigation and Real Estate departments.

Representative Matters

Representative Matters

  • Negotiated multi-million dollar contracts for the construction of the Zurich American headquarters, Trump Tower and McCormick Place expansion project.

  • Defended a construction company against breach of warranty claims as to construction of a subdivision of single-family homes.

  • Represented and was successful on behalf of many subcontractors in asserting mechanic’s lien claims on both public and private projects, and general contractors on private projects including the preparation of the actual liens and the prosecution of the lien litigation itself.

  • Represented large developers in breach of contract claims including projects in Maryland and Florida.

  • Successfully prosecuted multi-million dollar contractor claim concerning construction of the Cleveland Browns stadium.

  • Represented large national developer in securing disputed zoning rights for construction of a multi-million dollar shopping center.

  • Successfully appealed a trial court decision resulting in the creation of mechanic’s lien rights for trucking and hauling of construction material.

  • Negotiated a multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of a municipality in a waste water treatment facility design defect case. 

Honors & Awards

Honors & Awards

  • Chambers-USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Illinois, Construction, 2022
  • Crain's Chicago Business Notable Women in Law - 2022
  • Illinois Leading Lawyers - 2020 (cited in multiple years)
  • Illinois Super Lawyers - 2017 (cited in multiple years)

Professional Activities

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association Forum on Construction
  • Past-Chair, Chicago Bar Association Mechanics' Lien and Construction Committee
  • Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys (SOICA)
  • Federation of Women Contractors

Speaking Engagements

  • Panelist, "Succeeding in a Male-Dominant Legal Field" Women, Diversity & Change Summit (June 6, 2019). 
  • Moderator, "Chicago Construction & Development 2018: Megadevelopments Challenging the Status Quo" Bisnow (May 2, 2018). 
  • "Illinois Mechanics' Liens," Illinois Continuing Legal Education (September 2012, 2011 and February 2007).
  • "Construction Concerns and Considerations for Higher Education," URMIA (University Risk Management and Insurance Association) (September 2012 and June 2011).
  • "E-Discovery for Modern Day Business," (February and July 2006).
  • "Change Orders in Illinois," Lorman Presentation (June 2005 and June 2006).
  • "Illinois Mechanics' Liens," Half Moon LLC Presentation (September 2005).
  • "Illinois Mechanics' Liens," Chicago Bar Association Seminar (December 2012, 2005 and 2004).

Perspectives

Perspectives

News

Insights

Events