Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib

Managing Attorney

Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib is the Managing Attorney at EV Häs LLC. He focuses his practice on foreclosure defense, real estate litigation, receivership matters, and high risk property disputes across Cook County and the greater Chicago area.

Widely known as The Bow Tie Attorney, Mahmoud is valued for bringing structure to stressful situations. He helps property owners understand where they are in the process, what the law actually requires, and which strategic options remain available at each stage.

Not Sure What Stage You’re In?

Share your most recent notice or court date—we’ll confirm where you are in the case and tell you the next best move.

Approach and Philosophy

Mahmoud’s philosophy is straightforward: protect the property first, then solve the problem end to end. Every case begins with a clear plan, a realistic timeline, and an emphasis on decisions that preserve leverage.

Strategy first: identify the fastest path to stability, then build the legal plan around it
Targeted pressure: use motions and litigation tactics when lenders or opposing parties overreach
Client clarity: consistent updates so clients act with confidence, not panic

Professional Background

Mahmoud began his professional career as a chemist before transitioning into leadership roles in business and later into law. With more than twenty six years of combined experience across science, executive leadership, and legal practice, he brings an analytical mindset to complex legal and financial problems.

He has worked across industries that include consumer products, retail, and professional health and beauty, with experience in manufacturing, marketing, and distribution. That business foundation influences how he builds legal strategies that align with real world outcomes, not theory.

A core part of his work is the belief that legal strategy must stay aligned with the client’s overall business and financial reality. He pushes for results that protect the client’s position while controlling overall cost.

Receivership and Housing Court Experience

Mahmoud has practiced in housing court since 2013 and has appeared at times almost daily. He manages the receivership process for private receivers from appointment through deed and has represented landlords, tenants, property owners, and receivers through housing court matters and various stages of commercial litigation.

Need help?

Share your most recent notice or court date—we’ll confirm where you are in the case and tell you the next best move.

Community Impact

Since 2017, Mahmoud has trained nearly 400 community receivers through a City of Chicago funded receivership training initiative focused on addressing real estate and economic distress in Chicago neighborhoods. He is also a member of the board of directors for the Dearborn Realtist Board and supports expanded access to homeownership for Black and brown families.

Real Estate Development Experience

Mahmoud’s real estate experience includes hands on development work, from coordinating contracting and subcontractors to taking projects through acquisition, rehabilitation, construction, and sale. He has been part of the development of hundreds of residential and commercial properties across the Chicagoland area, which gives him practical insight when advising on distressed property matters, title issues, and investment strategy.

What Clients Can Expect

A clear plan: what matters now, what comes next, and what success looks like
Direct communication: plain answers, realistic timelines, no confusion
Focused execution: disciplined motions and negotiation when pressure is needed
Property first thinking: protect the asset while building the best legal outcome

Practice Areas

Foreclosure Defense
Mortgage Litigation
Receivership
Municipal Code Violations
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Transactions
Asset Protection

Skills

Foreclosure Defense

Real Estate Litigation

Title and Closing Review

Investor Representation

Education

Chemistry Degree

Graduated with honors in Chemistry—foundation in analytical thinking that later shaped legal strategy.

Real Estate Sales Consultant

Represented commercial/residential clients; led sales on multi-project developments during a down market.

Juris Doctor

Focus in IP & litigation; student leadership and research roles.

Post-J.D. Consolidation

Elkhatib blends scientist-level precision, broker insight, and litigation skill—becoming Chicago’s Bow Tie Attorney for real-estate deals and foreclosure defense.

The Bow Tie Attorney