Michael Toussaint

Competent real estate guidance, but communication could improve

I hired Michael Toussaint at Gould & Ratner to assist with the purchase of a small commercial property in Chicago. His background in real estate law, including the recognition he's received in that area, was evident. He was knowledgeable about the specific clauses and due diligence required for an Illinois transaction, and his advice on the purchase agreement was sound. Having graduated from DePaul's law school and practiced for a couple of years, he clearly understands the fundamentals. However, the experience felt a bit uneven. While the legal work itself was adequate, there were times when responses to emails took longer than expected, leaving me to follow up. I also felt that some of the process explanations were a bit rushed, assuming a level of familiarity I didn't have as a first-time commercial buyer. For a straightforward transaction, he gets the job done competently. For someone needing more hand-holding or facing a highly complex deal, you might want to set very clear expectations on communication timelines from the outset. He's a capable attorney, but the client service aspect felt just satisfactory.