By Brendan Heffernan – Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest
April 1, 2025
After nearly 8 months, Oak Park filled its village attorney void earlier this month.
Greg Smith and the law firm Elrod Friedman LLP have been appointed Village Attorney for the Village of Oak Park following an action taken by the board during its March 11 meeting, according to a village release.
Smith is an economic development, land use, and local government focused attorney, according to the release.
“Appointment as village attorney for the village of Oak Park is an honor,” said Smith. “We are appreciative of the opportunity to continue to assist the village president, board of trustees, village manager, and village staff in advancing the village’s most pressing matters. As a long-time village resident, I am keenly familiar with the village’s priorities and needs. I look forward to continuing the law department’s tradition of excellence.”
Smith will bill hourly for his work advising the village at “a substantial discount from the firm’s standard hourly rates reserved only for its governmental clients for whom they serve as general counsel,” according to Oak Park spokesperson Dan Yopchick.
Smith will work regular hours in office at Oak Park Village Hall.
Elrod Friedman LLP also serves as legal counsel to the governments of Arlington Heights, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Highland Park, La Grange, Northbrook and Waukegan, according to Yopchick.
The firm’s staff, including Smith, have filled in as legal counsel at the direction of Village Manager Kevin J. Jackson since July 2024, when longtime village attorney Paul Stephanides left his position to serve as the village attorney for Glen Ellyn, according to the village.
“The team at Elrod Friedman have been providing high-quality service for the village of Oak Park for quite some time, but especially in the interim capacity over the past seven-plus months,” said Jackson. “Their professionalism, diligence and responsiveness have ensured that we have been able to continue operating at a high level.”