Jones Lang LaSalle JLL
Jones Lang LaSalle, or JLL for the uninitiated, began its real estate conquest in 1783, with William Jones and Benjamin Lang, two British chaps who probably wore powdered wigs and negotiated over cups of tea. Fast forward to the present and JLL is a global behemoth in the property game, managing everything from high-rise offices to sprawling malls with the finesse of a chess grandmaster. The firm's defining moments include its 2006 IPO, which transformed it from a charmingly archaic operation into a sleek, billion-dollar empire worth around $10 billion today. Awards? They’ve amassed a collection of them, including the “Best Real Estate Advisory Firm” at the 2020 Euromoney Real Estate Awards. But it’s not all champagne and private jets; JLL has danced with its fair share of controversies, notably facing scrutiny over conflicts of interest and ethical lapses in its advisory roles. Current CEO Christian Ulbrich steers this ship with a steely gaze, orchestrating its global expansion with a relentless drive that ensures JLL remains a heavyweight in the competitive world of real estate.