Dinsmore & Shohl LLP has added 4,000 square feet of space to its Chicago office to accommodate an attorney roster that has grown 44 percent in the last year. The additional space coincides with the arrival of four new attorneys including real estate partner Lenny Asaro, formerly a managing member at one of the oldest minority owned and operated law firms in the United States.

The new attorneys, whose practice areas include real estate, commercial litigation, and trademark law, bring the attorney headcount in Dinsmore’s Chicago office to 25.

“I have been practicing law for 23 years and 19 of those years were with my previous firm, so leaving was not a decision I took lightly,” said Asaro. “After careful consideration, it became clear to me Dinsmore was the ideal fit to expand my practice and utilize the resources it has at its disposal as a national firm. The firm’s continued growth and commitment to proactive diversity and minority inclusion confirm I made the right decision.”

In addition to Asaro, Kathryn Bayer, Alexander Wright and Sean Price have also joined the firm.

Bobby Lucas, Chicago office managing partner, said the growth in both space and attorney headcount reflects the firm’s commitment to become a key player in the vaunted Chicago legal market.

“Chicago is home to some of the largest and most reputable law firms in the world,” said Lucas, who also chairs the firm’s corporate department. “We believe we have a strong story to tell that makes us competitive with all the storied firms here in providing exceptional, comprehensive client services. We’re not done growing and believe our new attorneys are important pieces that will help us reach our goal.”

About the attorneys:

Asaro joins the firm’s real estate practice group from Neal & Leroy, LLC, one of the oldest minority owned and operated law firms in the United States. Asaro practiced at the firm for 19 years and was a managing member for the past eight years. His practice areas include real estate development, planning and litigation, including eminent domain, land use and zoning, real estate transactions and leasing, public-private partnerships, tax increment financing, tax appeals and government affairs. Asaro has provided counsel to the City of Chicago, Chicago Transit Authority, Public Building Commission of Chicago and other governmental agencies and private clients in eminent domain as well as zoning and acquisition matters, including the Marriott Marquis Chicago. Asaro also served two full terms on the Evanston Plan Commission by appointment of the Mayor. He earned a J.D. from John Marshall Law School and a B.S. from Pepperdine University.

Bayer joins as of counsel in the commercial litigation group. Previously she worked at Winston & Strawn LLP, where, in addition to her work in commercial litigation, she was a former Mentor of the Year. Bayer has trial and appeals experience in both state and federal courts and provides counseling to businesses to avoid litigation. She’s been involved with several high-profile Chicago-area litigation matters, including representing the seller in litigation arising from the sale of the iconic IBM Building, now AMA Plaza. She received a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and a B.A. from University of Notre Dame.

Wright also joins as of counsel in the commercial litigation group, with a focus on banking, equipment leasing and real estate. His experience includes acting as lead counsel in litigation matters, representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, and developing complex loan documentation. Wright, who joins Dinsmore from Ashen-Faulkner, also advises commercial clients on UCC issues with an emphasis on sales, leases and secured transactions. He received a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law, and a LL.M. in European and International Business Law from Universidad Pontificia Comillas.

Price comes as an associate to Dinsmore’s trademark group from IpHorgan Ltd., where he counseled clients on issues related to the acquisition, licensing, and enforcement of intellectual property rights. His experience includes prosecuting foreign trademark applications, drafting and negotiating copyright licenses, and drafting and filing U.S. utility patent applications. Price is also experienced in drafting and analyzing nondisclosure agreements, evaluating online privacy policies and identifying internet accounts and domain names connected to fraudulent activity.  He holds a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University.