- New Jersey
- New York
- United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Michael J. Lipari is a Partner in Mandelbaum Barrett’s real estate department, where he focuses his practice on redevelopment, land use, zoning, eminent domain, and community association law. Michael’s clients include developers, redevelopers, landowners, landlords and tenants involved in the development and use of various types of projects that include residential, commercial, mixed-use, transit-oriented, industrial, commercial, office and retail development projects. Michael counsels clients throughout all aspects of the development project starting with due diligence prior to acquisition.
Michael has successfully represented builders, developers, and community associations before land use boards throughout New Jersey. He routinely reviews, drafts, and negotiates redevelopment agreements and financial (PILOT) agreements on behalf of redevelopers. Michael currently serves as the Zoning Board Attorney for the Borough of Lincoln Park and was previously appointed as Special Redevelopment Counsel for the Borough of Atlantic Highlands and the Township of Belleville where he advised the Mayor and Council on all redevelopment matters.
Michael also has significant experience representing Community Associations having served as general counsel to many associations ranging in size from 5-unit condominiums to 2,100+ unit Homeowners Associations. Additionally, Michael serves as Land Use Counsel to community associations assisting with complex and unique issues that require specialized knowledge in land use and zoning laws.
Michael’s practice is further enhanced by the practical, hands-on real estate experience that he brings to the firm. Earlier in his career, Michael served as project manager for a real estate development firm, where he managed large residential, commercial, and mixed-use development projects. In addition, he served as a developer appointed trustee for homeowners associations and served many years as president of a 400+ unit homeowners association.
Michael received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was served on the Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Board and provided pro bono tax assistance to low-income individuals at the Center for Social Justice. Following law school, Michael served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Mark A. Sullivan, Jr. of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth Vicinage.
“As Vacancies Mount in N.J., Options are Available for Stagnant Properties,” ROI-NJ, April 21, 2023.
“You Took the Bar Exam … Now What?,” New Jersey Law Journal, July 27, 2016.
“The ‘Uberization’ of Law: The Case Against Limited Licenses,” New Jersey Law Journal, November 18, 2015.
“Recent Court Decisions Favor Redevelopment: A Reversal of Trends?” Builder/Architect.
“Vertical GDP Legislation Presents New Options and Long Term Certainty as to Development Projects,” Builder/Architect.
“Vertical GDP Legislation Adds Certainty for Developers Seeking Long Term Development Projects,” New Jersey Builders Association Cutting Edge.
“Are You Really a ‘Green’ Builder? Considerations before Calling Yourself ‘Green’,” New Jersey Builders Association Cutting Edge.
“New Legislation Governs Green Construction,” Builder/Architect.
Contributing editor of, “New Jersey Land Use,” 2nd Edition, Juris Publishing, 2007.
These stories are successful case results from our attorneys. Please note that results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
- Decision Update: Successful Stop Work Order Appeal Before the Passaic County Construction Board
- Land Use Alert: Michael J. Lipari secured final major subdivision approval from the Mendham Township Planning Board for a high-end single family residential development project
- Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval Secured for Commercial Project in Newark, NJ by Real Estate Attorney Michael Lipari
- Real Estate Deal Alert: Michael Lipari, Esq. Recently Represented North Jersey Charter School in Expansion
- Site Plan Approval: Michael J. Lipari recently secured Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan Approval for the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges for a new state of the art YMCA campus in Livingston that will include a 54,000 square foot facility, indoor/outdoor recreation facilities, a 24,700 square foot early learning center/office building, and related site improvements
Land Use Alert: Michael Lipari, Esq. Secures Approvals for Class-A Warehouse Development in Fairfield, New Jersey
April 17, 2024
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate Partner, Michael J. Lipari, Esq., secured Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan, C-Variance and D-Variance Approval before the Fairfield Zoning Board of Adjustment to allow for the development of a Class-A warehouse in the Township’s Light Industrial Zone. This project will provide an upgrade to a stagnant property and provide […]Bolstering Growth: Michael J. Lipari, Esq., Secures $5MM Loan for North Jersey Charter School
February 29, 2024
Deal Alert: Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate Partner, Michael J. Lipari, Esq., recently represented an expanding North Jersey charter school in connection with a $5MM loan from a regional bank. This additional round of construction funding will assist with the school’s continued growth and will ensure that it continues to provide top-tier education at its […]Land Use Alert: Michael J. Lipari, Esq., secured Amended Site Plan Approval for redevelopment project in Mt. Arlington
February 13, 2024
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate Partner, Michael J. Lipari, Esq., secured Amended Site Plan Approval for the expansion of a large mixed-use redevelopment project in Mt. Arlington, New Jersey. This adaptive re-use project included the further expansion of an existing retail shopping center and addition of 81 residential units in two free standing luxury apartment […]Land Use Alert: Michael J. Lipari, Esq. Successfully Secures Approvals for Transformative Adaptive Reuse Project in Livingston Township
February 1, 2024
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate Partner Michael J. Lipari, Esq. secured Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan and Bulk Variance approval from the Livingston Township Planning Board for an adaptive reuse project that will convert a dilapidated property into a modern medical/dental facility. The applicant had to overcome several challenges due to the unique size and […]Land Use Alert: Michael Lipari, Esq. secured Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan and Bulk Variance approval for a Residential Townhouse development in Bernardsville
January 16, 2024
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate Partner Michael J. Lipari, Esq. secured Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan and Bulk Variance approval for a Residential Townhouse development located in the Downtown Claremont section of Bernardsville. The development is uniquely located at the footsteps of the historic St. Bernard’s Church. The team worked tirelessly with the Borough and […]Land Use Alert: Michael J. Lipari, Esq. secured Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval to allow for the development of a 5-Story, 136-Unit Residential building
January 4, 2024
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate Partner Michael J. Lipari, Esq. secured Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval to allow for the development of a 5-Story, 136-Unit Residential building. This Redevelopment project was unanimously approved and will convert and preserve an existing Church to maintain the historic character of the property, while also providing much needed […]Land Use Alert: Michael J. Lipari secured Major Site Plan and Minor Subdivision approval with several bulk variances for a mixed-use development project
December 19, 2023
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate attorney Michael J. Lipari, Esq. secured Major Site Plan and Minor Subdivision approval with several bulk variances from the Randolph Township Planning Board for a mixed-use development project consisting of a retail and 35 townhouse/apartment units in the Mt. Freedom section of the Township. The application was complicated due to the […]Decision Update: Successful Stop Work Order Appeal Before the Passaic County Construction Board
June 13, 2023
Michael J. Lipari successfully appealed a stop work order before the Passaic County Construction Board of Appeals. The developer was issued a stop work order midway through construction of his major commercial development project for failure to obtain a use variance from the City Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mr. Lipari successfully appealed the order based […]Land Use Alert: Michael J. Lipari secured final major subdivision approval from the Mendham Township Planning Board for a high-end single family residential development project
June 12, 2023
Michael J. Lipari secured preliminary and final major subdivision approval with several bulk variances and design waivers from the Mendham Township Planning Board for a high-end single family residential development project. The application was complicated due to the presence of steep slopes and site access constraints. However, the team was able to demonstrate that granting […]Real Estate Deal Alert: Michael Lipari, Esq. Recently Represented North Jersey Charter School in Expansion
April 20, 2023
Deal Alert: Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate attorney, Michael J. Lipari, Esq., recently represented an expanding North Jersey charter school in connection with a $7MM loan with a regional bank to assist with the school’s expansion in Passaic County, New Jersey. The deal involved a refinance and line of credit with cross-collateralization of existing assets. Learn more […]Deal Alert: Our National Dental Law Group Worked with a Client on the Sale of a Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dentistry Practice
November 11, 2022
Members of the National Dental Law Group at Mandelbaum Barrett PC including William Barrett, Barry Schwartz, Melody Lins, Nicole Fryer, Michael Lipari, and Steve Holt worked with a client on the sale of a cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry practice. The seller was acquired by a dental support organization (“DSO”) with a large footprint in […]Deal Alert: Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate partner Joshua Gorsky, Esq. recently represented a Buyer in the purchase of a commercial building in Summit, NJ.
June 30, 2022
The contract of sale was first signed in 2020 and was made contingent on the Buyer obtaining approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment to convert the existing restaurant on site into a state-of-the-art veterinary facility. Michael J. Lipari, Esq. of the firm’s Land Use and Zoning group obtained a Use Variance, a Bulk Variance and […]Site Plan Approval: Michael J. Lipari recently secured Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan Approval for the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges for a new state of the art YMCA campus in Livingston that will include a 54,000 square foot facility, indoor/outdoor recreation facilities, a 24,700 square foot early learning center/office building, and related site improvements.
May 2, 2022
The main YMCA facility will include a wellness center, pools, gym/fitness space, and a 4,300 square foot rooftop airnasium. A second building will house the Early Learning Center, childcare center, and office space. Mr. Lipari worked together with project professionals Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers, Inc, SUBURBAN CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC. and Dolan & Dean Consulting Engineers, LLC, in preparing the […]Michael J. Lipari, Esq. Secures Land Use Approvals for $120+ Million in Development Projects
April 30, 2022
Mandelbaum Barrett PC Real Estate attorney Michael Lipari, Esq. successfully represented his clients to obtain local land use approvals for over $120,000,000.00 in development and redevelopment projects. Some of the more significant project approvals include Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for The Depo, a 34-acre warehouse campus redevelopment project located in Wanaque, New Jersey; Preliminary […]Land Use Alert: Michael J. Lipari, a member of Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s Land Use and Zoning Law and Veterinary Law practice groups, recently secured another Use Variance Approval, allowing a client to open a brand new doggie daycare.
March 31, 2022
Mr. Lipari recently secured Use Variance, Bulk Variance and Site Plan Approval from a Zoning Board in Essex County for a doggy daycare, pet spa and boarding facility, allowing it to open and operate in an area zoned strictly for retail use. As a result of Mr. Lipari’s efforts, our client cleared the biggest hurdle […]Land Use Alert: Michael J. Lipari, a member of Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s Land Use and Zoning Law and Veterinary Law practice groups, recently secured another Site Plan Approval to allow the firm’s client to open a brand new 15,000 sq. ft. veterinary hospital.
March 28, 2022
Mr. Lipari represented a client before a Planning Board in Morris County and obtained Site Plan and Variance Approval to allow the client permission to open a 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital with an onsite mobile MRI unit. As a result of Mr. Lipari’s efforts, our client will be able to provide these much needed specialty […]Land Use Alert: Michael J. Lipari recently secured Use Variance Approval for an adaptive reuse project, clearing a path for the firm’s client to open a brand-new veterinary facility.
March 24, 2022
Mr. Lipari successfully represented this North Jersey client before a Zoning Board of Adjustment in Union County and obtained Use Variance, Bulk Variance and Site Plan Approval to allow the client to convert a former restaurant building into a first-class veterinary clinic. As a result of Mr. Lipari’s efforts, our client has cleared the biggest […]Joshua Gorsky and Michael Lipari co-author article for ROI-NJ titled “As Vacancies Mount in N.J., Options are Available for Stagnant Properties”
April 24, 2023
“As pandemic restrictions ease and life resumes a sense of normalcy, owners of commercial real estate shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of comfort. As a result of lingering work-from-home policies, exploding interest rates and a change in overall demand for space, vacancy rates for office buildings in New Jersey are on the rise.” […]Winter 2021 Veterinary Newsletter
February 15, 2021
Spring 2020 Veterinary Newsletter
May 29, 2020