Areas of Practice

Real Estate

Mr. Leeth's real estate practice covers all types of transactions, including purchase, sale and leasing. Mr. Leeth represented a national discount grocer for 27 years in over 200 transactions including shopping center leases, ground leases, build to suit, in addition to more traditional purchase and sale contracts. Mr. Leeth also represents many homeowner and property owner's associations both on a continuing basis and for special projects such as amending or updating community standards and restrictive covenants. In 2017, he represented a large community association in the purchase of the 18-hole championship golf course from private owners.

Land Use and Zoning

Mr. Leeth's land use practice is currently exclusively representing private property owners and businesses in all zoning and permit matters in most Northwest Indiana communities.

These matters include:

  • Subdivision Approval

  • Development Permits

  • Rezoning Petitions

  • Appeals of Zoning Decisions

  • PUD Projects

  • Zoning Variances

  • Special Exceptions

  • Tax Abatements

  • Defense of Zoning Violations

Significant land use cases handled include:  

  • Multiple sites for data center developers seeking entitlements for large campus projects.

  • Solar energy projects for both the farm property as landlord and the renewable energy/solar developer seeking entitlements (2021 - continuing)

  • A small PUD to permit the redevelopment of a 120+ year old historic school building into a boutique hotel with 58 guest rooms, banquet space and food and beverage amenities (2023)

  • Multi-party purchase of shell building for private developer leased to Amazon for logistics. (2021)

  • Downtown re-development residential project. (2019-2020)

  • 153 acre Mixed Use Planned Unit Development including Public-Private Partnership for regional storm water management. (2019).

  •  170 Acre Sport Resort / Mixed-Use PUD in Portage, Indiana. (2015-2017)

  • Transportation intermodal project in Valparaiso, Indiana. (2016)

  • 150 Acre Planned Unit Development with Business Park and Multi-Family Community annexed to City of Valparaiso. (2013 - 2015)

  • A 100+ acre multi-use development immediately adjacent to the new Porter Regional Hospital. (2010-2015)

  • Secured administrative action reversing denial of solar generating facility variance allowing project to proceed without significant litigation costs. (2012)

  •  A 228 acre residential subdivision. (2011)

  • Obtained favorable court ruling reversing denial of electronic LED billboard for national sign company. (2011)

  • A mixed use development including 1450 homes in St. John, Indiana. (2005-2010)

  • A controversial sanitary landfill proposal for southern Porter County. (2002)

  • 504 acre Planned Unit Development in rural Porter County. (1998-2001)

Each year Mr. Leeth represents dozens of property owners on small zoning matters for their homes as well as larger projects and developments and new businesses locating to Northwest Indiana. Mr. Leeth has previously represented the Town of Lowell and the Town of Kouts.

Business Law

Mr. Leeth’s business practice includes general contract consulting, including reviewing, negotiation, drafting and executing terms of all types of contracts and agreements, business entity selection and creation of corporations, LLCs and partnerships, and the sale and purchase of company stock or asset purchase transactions.