The Real Estate Practice Group is comprised of highly skilled attorneys from diverse backgrounds and specialties enabling us to remain better able to meet the needs of our equally diverse client base. The Group offers a highly integrated set of services to owners, purchasers, developers and financial institutions in all aspects of real estate law and related maters, both in the State of New Jersey and nationally. Where appropriate, our work with clients includes supplementary services, such as business or tax planning, among others, to ensure the client's greatest success. Representative clients include:
The experience and specialized knowledge of our attorneys assures that we can undertake virtually any assignment and complete it efficiently and cost effectively. In addition to our regular client work, members of our practice group host industry conferences, client and technical seminars, speak at industry associations, and actively publish in the field.
I. Transactional Real Estate
Representation of Commercial Developers and Owners
Our firm represents commercial developers and owners of real property, regularly handling complex purchase and sale transactions, short and long term leases, including ground leases, joint ventures, and development projects. We represent real estate owners, including a publicly held Real Estate Investment Trust, and national big-box retailers and supermarkets in substantial and sophisticated financial and development transactions. We are able to aggressively negotiate with banks and other lenders on legal and business issues relating to these transactions.
Residential Real Estate
Our attorneys and paralegal staff represent individuals in the purchase, sale, financing and refinancing of residential properties. We also serve as review counsel for financial institutions in the closing of residential mortgage loans. We strive to offer affordable, prompt service in this area of law, cognizant of the stresses the current economic climate places on homeowners and home buyers.
II. Commercial Leasing
Commercial leasing transactions are driven as much by velocity as by insightful attention to every detail. Key additions to our professional staff in 2004 and again in 2008 ensure that swift turnaround is cautioned by the experience of our nationally recognized commercial leasing attorneys. We represent landlords and tenants in all commercial settings, industrial and residential, and in all phases of development from acquisition and financing to environmental cost recovery, in both transactions and litigation.
The Chair of the Commercial Leasing section, Richard R. Kahn, was selected by peer review and recommendation for inclusion in the Chambers USA Directory of America's Leading Lawyers for the 2003 and 2004 editions. He is widely known for his expertise in supermarket, office and shopping center leasing and is a member and speaker at the International Council of Shopping Centers. Partner Richard D. Wolloch was real estate counsel at Pathmark Supermarkets before entering private practice. He has significant experience in retail real estate, financing for both borrower and lenders, and post conversion coop offers. His article, "Negotiating Commercial Mortgage Commitment Letters," was published in New Jersey Law Journal in 2003. Both Richard R. Kahn and Richard D. Wolloch are admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York.
III. Mortgage and Asset-based Lending
We represent individual and corporate borrowers, commercial banks, savings and loan associations and insurance companies in an array of lending work, such as land acquisition, construction and permanent loans, loan defeasance, mezzanine loans, securitized financing, IRC1031 tax deferred exchanges, asset-based financing, and revolving credit arrangements based on inventory, accounts receivable, equipment or other security. Our attorneys are experienced in handling all aspects of such transactions, including the negotiation and preparation of loan commitments and loan documents, review and resolution of title matters, analysis of government approvals, and all related compliance issues.
IV. Real Estate Development and Land Use
Our attorneys regularly appear before zoning and planning boards, and other governing bodies and authorities on behalf of landowners and developers. We have represented major regional shopping centers, department stores, office buildings, multiple family and health care facilities in contested zoning and land use matters with great success. We actively and aggressively litigate real estate and land use issues in the trial and appellate courts. The breadth of our experience in development and land use law and regulation enables us to better complete this very sensitive and critical component to real property ownership and development effectively and expeditiously.
V. Real Estate Tax Appeals
Our attorneys assist businesses and individuals in reducing real estate property taxes through the prosecution of real estate tax appeals and certiorari proceedings throughout the State of New Jersey. We advise and guide our clients through each step of what can otherwise be a trying and difficult process, and utilize a network of real estate professionals and appraisers to assist our clients in building the strongest case possible, achieving the greatest results. In a case of first impression, we were able to obtain a very substantial reduction in the tax assessment for an office building facing costly asbestos removal expenses.
VI. Banking Services
Throughout our history, we have served as counsel and general counsel to some of New Jersey's leading financial institutions, providing services to those institutions' lending, workout, corporate trust and trust departments.
VII. Workouts
Under the direction of a former lead counsel for the workout department of a major New Jersey bank, our banking group aids in the resolution of problem loans and avoidance of lender liability, using our legal skills and our practical and perceptive understanding of related real estate and business issues. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, we advise clients with respect to bankruptcy related matters or we pursue foreclosure and collection proceedings.
Practice area members: Joseph L. Basralian, Gary S. Redish, Richard R. Kahn, Thomas J. Cangialosi, Jr., Bruce R. Rosenberg, Richard D. Wolloch, Michael G. Stingone, Christopher H. Minks, Peter G. Banta, Sharon R. Babb, Doreen E. Winn and Joseph M. Vigliotti.