Real Estate

Our attorneys are experienced in the negotiation of complex contracts and execution of due diligence review including title, survey and property condition. We provide our clients with advice and assistance on the tax aspects of their real estate transactions, including 1031 and 1033 exchanges and procurement of tax incentives and benefits through PILOT and Developer Agreements with local governmental bodies.

Our practice group is experienced in developing commercial and mixed use projects with reciprocal easements, covenants and declarations to address the rights and interests of multiple owners and users of complex mixed use residential, commercial and industrial property. Our practice group has developed and implemented complex condominium structures, including organization of commercial and residential condominium associations to facilitate and enhance property development. In conjunction with our Corporate Group and Taxation Group, our attorneys are able to provide our clients with the technical support, advice and guidance necessary to establish tax efficient and organizationally sound deal structures for their projects, including structures providing for sponsorship with outside investors and real estate joint ventures.

Our construction attorneys assist owners, developers, lenders, investors and contractors throughout the construction project lifecycle, from initial conception to project delivery. We also represent clients in public project bid contests, and in the resolution of a wide range of construction disputes, including payment disputes, lien claims, defective design and construction claims, delay claims, indemnity claims, personal injury claims, labor and employment issues, default and convenience terminations, claims against surety bonds and construction insurance policies, as well as creditor’s rights and bankruptcy issues in the construction arena.

Procurement of governmental approvals and permits is an integral component of real property development. Our land use attorneys regularly appear before Municipal boards and other governmental agencies to procure planning approvals, variance relief, subdivision approval and other permits and approvals essential to the contemplated use of property. We have secured approvals for industrial parks, shopping centers, mixed use and multi–family projects and some of the largest residential planned unit developments in New Jersey. Together, with support from our complementary Environmental Practice Group, we represent developers, contractors and investors in obtaining permits and approvals regarding wetlands and other environmental issues affecting property development.

With the advantage of having experience representing both borrowers and lending institutions, our practice group advises and assists our clients in the negotiation, structuring and documentation of sophisticated financing facilities for their projects including construction financing, mezzanine financing, structured finance transactions, private syndication and private equity funding.

Environmental conditions are a significant factor in most real estate transactions and our skilled and experienced environmental lawyers are an integral component of our approach to property development. Our environmental attorneys provide advice on the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated property, and compliance with statutes and government regulations affecting real property transactions, including ISRA compliance, underground storage tank compliance and remediation, and soil and ground water remediation. We also provide support in evaluating environmental insurance products to promote successful management of the risk and liability a property owner may face with respect to future remediation and environmental related claims.

We represent both landlords and tenants in complex leasing transactions for a broad array of asset types. Our leasing practice includes conventional office space, shopping center and industrial property leases as well as long term ground and net leases. As a result of our extensive experience, our attorneys fully appreciate and understand the intricacies of lease administration and management and successfully develop practical and cost-effective solutions to complex leasing issues.

We counsel our clients with regard to reducing real property tax assessments and producing tax abatements for qualifying taxpayers. Our group has utilized its expertise in valuation and negotiation with public entities to successfully defend and maximize awards in public-taking matters initiated by state and local authorities.

Our attorneys provide representation to residential and commercial condominium associations including matters pertaining to by-law enforcement, voting and meetings, contract procurement and assessment collection. We also represent landlords and professional management companies in the management of shopping center, office building and industrial park portfolios.

In conjunction with our Commercial and Corporate Litigation Practice Group, our attorneys provide advice, guidance and representation in litigation matters pertaining to all aspects of Real Property. On behalf of real estate developers, commercial landlords, commercial tenants, and investors, we have successfully litigated disputes pertaining to commercial leases, land-use determinations, real estate partnership disputes and condemnation proceedings.

We also represent commercial tenants in disputes over their leases. Our practical perspective and business acumen enable us to skillfully and successfully develop practical and cost effective solutions to complex litigation issues.

Our Commercial lending attorneys regularly represent banks, commercial lenders, and other financial institutions in a variety of complex financing transactions. Our expertise involves secured and unsecured financings at all levels for acquisitions, project and working capital purposes. Our practice is comprised of lawyers with broad experience affecting senior, mezzanine, asset- based and equity financing transactions for financial institutions and corporate borrowers. We handle complex and multi-jurisdictional transactions, and provide our clients with national reach, depth of local research sources, and local law advice. In addition to serving the needs of many of the largest banks in New Jersey, we also have significant experience in advising sponsors in private placement transactions. Our approach provides a seamless transaction from the prospective of the financing provider and the borrower. This approach, together with support from our Tax and Corporate departments, affords our clients excellent prospective in structuring and closing their transactions.

Our representation of clients includes Valley National Bank, Investors Bank, The Provident Bank of New Jersey, Lakeland Bank, HAB, Israel Discount Bank, Connect One Bank, Capital One Bank, TD Bank, Bank of America, Webster Bank, Kearny Savings Bank, Malvern Federal, First Bank, Peoples Bank, Bankwell, Santander and Sovereign Bank.