Scott L. Ginsburg

Scott L. Ginsburg

Scott L. Ginsburg is chair of the firm’s Real Estate and Finance Practice Group with a focus on matters related to public finance and property taxation. Scott’s experience includes counseling clients and litigating cases in the areas of local government finance, real estate taxation, tax rate objections, tax exemptions, sale and use tax, energy, TIF and property tax abatements. As a registered lobbyist and longtime member of the State and Local Taxation (“SALT”) Section Council of the Illinois Bar Association, Scott monitors and drafts legislation involving matters of public finance, and he has testified on behalf of Illinois units of local government in matters before the Illinois General Assembly. Scott has tried multiple cases before the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board and the Illinois Department of Revenue, and his litigation experience includes defense of actions before courts of all levels. Scott also practices in the area of commercial transactions and local government, including contract drafting and review, litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He has experience in representing general contractors, local governments, and business owners in all aspects of civil litigation.

Prior to joining Robbins Schwartz, Scott concentrated his practice on litigation, in the areas of commercial disputes, construction defects and labor and employment issues. Scott is also a former judicial extern to the Honorable Michael J. Reagan, United States District Judge, Southern District of Illinois.

From the very beginning, Scott’s passion for education law was evident. He recognized the transformative power of education and was drawn to the field as a way to contribute positively to this noble endeavor. As the child of educators – both of his parents and a sister dedicated their lives to teaching – Scott’s career in education law became an apt reflection of his family’s commitment to learning and knowledge.

What Scott finds most fulfilling in his professional life is helping taxing districts find innovative and creative solutions to address financial issues. It is in these challenging situations that his skills truly shine, as he harnesses his expertise to guide clients toward effective resolutions. The ability to apply creative thinking to solve intricate financial problems has become a hallmark of his career.

Outside of his professional life, Scott’s interests and passions are just as diverse. He finds solace running along the serene lakefront, a practice that not only keeps him physically active but also clears his mind. His love for literature shines through in his joy for reading books about history and science, allowing him to delve into the complexities of the past and the wonders of the natural world. And then, there’s his unwavering curiosity about the world, which is evident in his love for travel, a means through which he explores new horizons and experiences the beauty of different cultures.

Education

• J.D., Washington University School of Law
• B.A., DePauw University

Admitted to Practice

• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• Supreme Court of Illinois

Organizations

• Illinois State Bar Association, State and Local Taxation Section Council, Member
• Illinois Association of School Business Officials
• Chicago Bar Association
• Rogers Park Montessori School, Board of Directors

Recent Publications

• “PTAB Clarifies Uniformity Standards for Income Properties,” Illinois State Bar Association’s Tax Trends (2015)
• “Chicago Bears Football Club v. The Cook County Department of Revenue,” Illinois State Bar Association’s Tax Trends (2014)
• Contributing author, “Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Standard Review for Zoning Decisions,” Illinois Municipal Review (2008)

Recent Presentations

• 2022 Levies: A Retrospective, Robbins Schwartz Purchasing and Construction Virtual Conference (April 2023)
• Comments on PTELL Legislation, ED-RED’s Member Meeting (April 2022)
• Challenges to Property Tax Assessments and Protecting School District Revenues, IASB Webinar (February 2021)