Rick Veenstra is a partner at Schain Banks who advises public and private clients on development, construction, real estate, land use, procurement, and government matters.
Over more than 25 years, Rick has worked at the intersection of business and government. He represents developers, businesses, municipalities, and other clients on projects involving zoning and land use entitlements, development agreements, construction and professional services contracts, public procurement, economic development, real estate, and regulatory matters.
Rick regularly works with developers, property owners, planners, contractors, public officials, and other professionals on complex projects. He helps clients identify legal and regulatory issues early, assess and allocate risk, negotiate practical solutions, and move projects from planning through implementation. His experience on both the public and private sides gives him a practical understanding of how governmental decisions affect private investment and project delivery.
Before joining Schain Banks, Rick served in-house as Corporation Counsel for the City of Aurora, Illinois’s second largest city. He continued to serve as Corporation Counsel after joining the firm. As Aurora’s chief legal officer, Rick advised the Mayor, City Council, senior management, and operating departments on development, land use, real estate, construction, procurement, commercial contracts, infrastructure, litigation, risk management, and other significant matters. He also led the City’s Law Department and managed outside counsel.
Earlier in his career, Rick served as Deputy Chief of the Civil Bureau in the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office. In that role, he served as senior in-house counsel to a county government with more than 2,000 employees and an annual operating budget exceeding $430 million. His work included complex commercial contracts, public procurement, regulatory and policy matters, governmental and legislative affairs, and supervision of a team of attorneys.
Rick began his legal career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in DuPage County, where he prosecuted criminal cases before moving into civil and governmental work. He has also worked in private practice and government relations, representing businesses, educational institutions, professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and units of local government in matters before the Illinois General Assembly.
Licensed in both Illinois and Wisconsin, Rick is a past president of the DuPage County Bar Association and remains active in both the DuPage County and Illinois State Bar Associations. He has held leadership positions in organizations focused on local government law and regularly speaks and writes on land use, municipal, regulatory, and governmental issues.