CHICAGO—Tad Laws has left Newmark Knight Frank to join Cresa as its Chicago Market Leader and shepherd the brokerage firm’s expansion in the Windy City.

In the newly created position, Laws, a graduate of Indiana University, will oversee a team of 25 professionals and be responsible for the development and execution of the Chicago office’s growth plan.

Cresa officials note that recruiting will be a priority for Laws as Cresa has a goal of doubling its Chicago brokerage ranks in the next 36 months.

Laws most recently served as VP, national brokerage operations and recruiting at Newmark Knight Frank. At the firm, he completed 67 broker agreements valued at $43.8 million in annual revenue. He also has worked for some of the world’s most recognized commercial real estate firms such as Cushman & Wakefield and DTZ.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Tad to the Cresa team. The breadth of experience and talent he brings to the firm will undoubtedly play an important role in Cresa achieving its significant growth plans, particularly in the very important Chicago market,” says Cresa CEO Jim Underhill.

Laws’ hire and the growth of the firm’s Chicago office are part of Cresa’s expansion initiative announced by Underhill in 2017. Thus far in 2019, Cresa has made a total of 123 new hires, bringing the company headcount to more than 1,100 employees in more than 80 global locations.

“Our rapid expansion and caliber of new hires echoes the ongoing momentum of the company and our ability to offer industry veterans a workplace that prioritizes culture and opportunity,” Underhill says.

Last month, Cresa announced the expansion of its Indianapolis brokerage operations with its merger with O’Brien Commercial Real Estate, LLC of Indianapolis.

The merger, which was effective on July 1, has the combined company operate under the Cresa name. All employees of both firms were retained.

Instant Insights /

Newmark’s Laws Joins Cresa to Lead Chicago Office

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