Langdon Neal

About

Langdon D. Neal is a managing partner and owner of Neal & Leroy, LLC. Mr. Neal’s practice concentrates in real estate, zoning, land use, and public and private finance, employment, and labor law. Neal & Leroy, LLC is one of the oldest minority-owned and operated law firms in the United States, and was founded in 1938 by Langdon’s grandfather, Earl J. Neal, who was later appointed a Circuit Court Judge. In 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Mr. Neal was named one of Illinois’ Leading Lawyers in several practice areas.

The firm’s practice is primarily focused in real estate matters including zoning, development and land use, real estate transactions and finance, public and project finance and diversity and inclusion business development. The firm also practices construction law, historic preservation, litigation, municipal law, labor and employment. Langdon has focused much of his practice and personal life on minority and women business enterprise opportunities and advancement.

Neal & Leroy represents minority-owned and women-owned clients, advising them concerning the MBE and WBE certification process in Chicago and the State of Illinois, and works with them in developing business opportunities with corporations or governmental entities. In this context, Langdon’s firm has often advised clients and negotiated contracts on their behalf. His firm has also represented municipal clients in court, demonstrating the advisability and propriety of governments’ diversity goals and guidelines. In representing public agencies, he has also have developed programs to increase diversity on public construction projects including MBE/WBE programs, and equal employment opportunity programs to increase utilization of minority and female laborers, apprentices, and journey-workers.

Langdon has also advised corporate clients in developing, implementing, and reviewing diversity programs and advising on appropriate methods to ensure compliance in the implementation of its diversity programs. In addition, Langdon has advised, counseled, and mentored numerous emerging minority businesses on how to expand their operations and business development efforts to achieve success and maximize opportunities to ensure continued growth and expansion.

Mr. Neal’s civic activities include serving on the State Board of Elections since 1985, and as Chairman, from 1995-1996, and as Chairman of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners since 1997. He serves on the Board of Directors of numerous community and charitable organizations in the Chicago area.

He has a long history of giving back to the community and has served in various roles in charitable and civic organizations including Business Leadership Council, After School Matters, High Jump, Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation, Choose Chicago, Mercy Hospital, Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, Co-Chair of the Black Ensemble Capital Campaign, Children’s Place Association, the Public Education Fund, the Support Group, Sherwood Conservatory of Music, Urban Gateways, Jackson Park Hospital, and the Francis Parker School Board of Trustees.