Why should I hire you, couldn't any agent handle this for me?

Any agent by law, can handle the transaction for you, but thats not what you need.  Lets put it this way, anyone can play golf, but if your money was on the line, would you put it on proven professionals? or would you put it on your friend the realtor?  This is a very large money time important transaction.  Who would you want handling it?

Why is an expert needed?

This is a very specialized field.  Very few agents or brokers have the financial background or knowledge of how to handle the transaction. 

What makes you experts?

We have close over 150 Short Sale and REO properties a month, we are one of the largest Real Estate Brokerages in the Chicago Southland. We understand the banks and their strict procedures. 

My friend (a licensed Realtor) took a class and has a lawyer who will do the negotiations, isn't that the same?

NO.  1st, your friend took a class, how many classes would it take for you to be at the top of your game? Practice and knowledge is what make us successful. 2nd the attorney must collect a large fee (assuming that the attorney is experienced in the field).  Where is that fee going to come from?  Most likely, it will come from the deal, thus decreasing the chances of your deal getting approved.