Ryan Serhant Expands Real Estate Brokerage into Chicago Market

Real estate broker Ryan Serhant is launching Serhant Illinois in Chicago, establishing offices that serve the North Shore suburbs and the city with an initial roster of more than 40 agents.

Firm Launches Chicago Team with Recruited Talent

The newly formed Chicago team represents more than $600 million in trailing 12-month sales volume throughout Chicagoland. The Real Deal reported that the firm is launching on Tuesday with two offices and has recruited talent from local firms including @properties Christie’s International Realty, Sotheby’s International Realty, Baird & Warner, and Compass.

Founding agents joining the Chicago operation include Melissa Siegal, who brings significant career sales after moving from @properties Christie’s, and Jennifer Mills-Klatt, who previously worked with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. Bobby Grilli and Brendan Murphy, from Sotheby’s International Realty, are also joining as founding agents alongside their teams, according to The Real Deal.

Agents Join from Several Established Brokerages

The local market impact includes talent acquisition shifts across several established brokerages. The Real Deal reported that initial roster data indicates the firm recruited 15 agents from Sotheby’s International Realty, 10 from @properties Christie’s, five from Baird & Warner, three from Compass, and one each from Keller Williams and REAL.

Dina Lissner Directs New Illinois Practice

Dina Lissner, who spent five years leading the Highland Park office at Baird & Warner, is stepping into a leadership role to direct the new Illinois practice, The Real Deal reported. Lissner stated that the brokerage represents the next generation in the industry.

Serhant told The Real Deal, “Real estate in Chicago has run the same way for a long time,” and “I think they’re yearning for a new direction, choices and something fresh.”