Mariah DiGrino Joins Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres’ Real Estate Practice

April 6, 2026

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres is proud to announce that Mariah DiGrino has joined the Firm as a Partner in our Real Estate Practice, further strengthening CFDB’s capabilities in land use, zoning, and complex real estate transactions.

Mariah joins from DLA Piper, where she spent more than two decades building a nationally recognized practice in land use and zoning, public-private financing, and historic preservation. At DLA Piper, she secured entitlements and public incentives for some of Chicago’s largest and most complex historic rehabilitation projects, including the Old Main Post Office, Tribune Tower, Willis Tower, the Wrigley Building, the Marshall Field’s flagship store on State Street, and Navy Pier. She was part of the all-female executive project team that obtained approval of incentives and entitlements to redevelop the Old Main Chicago Post Office, a transformative adaptive reuse project.

During her tenure at DLA Piper, Mariah also represented the Chicago Fire in the entitlement and development of the Endeavor Health Performance Center and the acquisition and development of its new stadium. She secured over $60 million in general obligation financing and $30 million in tax increment funding for Bronzeville Lakefront, the redevelopment of the former Michael Reese Hospital site.She obtained land use approvals and incentives for Pullman Park, the phased mixed-use redevelopment of the 180-acre former Ryerson Steel mill site, which includes Chicago’s first Amazon Fulfillment Center, Method Home Products’ first U.S. production facility, and a Whole Foods regional distribution center.

Mariah brings extensive experience representing owners, developers, retailers, investors, and public-private partnerships on both the local and national levels. Her practice spans the full lifecycle of real estate development, from initial entitlements through closing and dispute resolution. She has significant experience securing annexation, development, zoning, and subdivision approvals, and has negotiated and implemented public-private development and financing arrangements, as well as public incentives that help bring transformative projects to fruition. She has worked across the table from a wide variety of government agencies, including Amtrak, Metra, Chicago Housing Authority, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Her work in historic preservation includes negotiating designations and incentives that allow clients to unlock the potential of heritage properties while maintaining their character.

“Mariah is one of the most accomplished land use and zoning attorneys in Chicago, and her track record of delivering results on complex, high-profile projects speaks for itself,” said David Reifman, Chair of CFDB’s Real Estate Practice. “Her deep expertise in public-private financing and historic preservation, combined with her ability to navigate the regulatory process efficiently, makes her an exceptional addition to our team. I’m thrilled to welcome her to CFDB.”

“Mariah’s deep experience in land use and zoning, combined with her ability to navigate complex public-private financing arrangements, makes her an outstanding addition to our Real Estate practice,” said Lisa Duarte, Partner and Co-Chair of the Management Committee at Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres. “Her strategic approach to development approvals and public incentives will immediately enhance our ability to help clients bring their projects from concept to completion.”

“CFDB’s entrepreneurial platform and collaborative culture make it an ideal home for a real estate practice that spans entitlements, incentives, and transactions,” said Mariah DiGrino. “I’m excited to partner with my new colleagues to deliver creative solutions for clients navigating today’s complex development landscape.”

Mariah has been recognized as Band 2, Illinois Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use by Chambers USA and as Recommended, Land Use/Zoning by The Legal 500 United States. She was named a 2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer and received Connect CRE’s 2022 Chicago & Midwest Lawyers in Real Estate Award. She serves on the Board of Directors and as Outside Pro Bono Counsel for Landmarks Illinois and served for ten years as outside pro bono general counsel for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

We look forward to the experience and expertise that she will bring to the Firm as well as our Real Estate Practice.