A body found after a rubbish fire Tuesday morning in a River North parking garage has been identified as a 60-year-old Chicago real estate lawyer from north suburban Highland Park.
Firefighters responded about 6 a.m. to the report of a fire on the 11th floor of a parking garage at 345 N. LaSalle, according to Chicago Police and the Chicago Fire Department.
The body was found charred, lying on the ground next to an electrical box, a source said.
The victim was identified as Louis S. Cohen, 60, of the 200 block of Ivy Lane in Highland Park, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy Wednesday did not rule on cause and manner of death, with results pending further studies.
Cohen was a real estate attorney who joined the Business Law Department at Foley and Lardner, LLP in Chicago eight months ago, according to a statement on the firm’s website. Previously he worked at DLA Piper for 27 years. He was a graduate of Stanford University and the Northwestern University School of Law.
Cohen served as lead counsel representing the owner and redeveloper of the Chicago Soho House Club, and worked for the the city of Atlanta in negotiations to develop the new Atlanta Falcons stadium, his firm said.
“We were all deeply saddened by the news of Lou’s passing,” the firm said in a statement. “He had a strong legal mind and brought tremendous leadership and passion to his job. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lou’s family and friends.”
Area Central and arson detectives are investigating, police said.
