Real Estate

Representative Matters

• Negotiated a joint venture with a title insurance company enabling a real estate developer to enter the title business, expanding the client’s vertically integrated service offerings.
• Represented the seller of an analytical laboratory services company in a $15.3 million sale, including environmental compliance diligence and negotiation of a post-closing real estate lease.  
• Represented the sellers in the disposition of a landmark distribution facility in Jacksonville, Florida, leased under a complex, long-term triple-net lease to a major credit tenant  in a transaction exceeding $90 million. The firm negotiated and drafted the purchase and sale agreement, guided the sellers through extensive buyer due diligence, and coordinated a successful closing that set a record sales price for the Jacksonville market, allowing the sellers to exit a 30-year investment at peak value.
• Represented Avidan Energy Solutions in the planning, financing and construction of one of the country’s largest roof-mounted solar installations, a 4.26-MW system in Edison. The firm led negotiation of EPC and PPAs, coordinated real estate debt financing, advised on federal grant funding and the sale of SRECs. The teams’s work supported the development of a system spanning 650,000 square feet and approximately 18,000 photovoltaic solar panels, supplying roughly 50% of the facility’s energy needs and significantly reducing tenants’ operating expenses.
• Provided real estate and land use support in the firm’s successful representation of Des Champs Laboratories, in which the New Jersey Appellate Division struck down an unauthorized NJDEP regulation that would have significantly expanded cleanup obligations under the ISRA.
• Represented the sellers in the sale of three commercial properties in New Jersey for an aggregate purchase price of $80 million, resolving complex entity-interest history issues, open permits and violations, tenant estoppels and SNDAs, title defects including outstanding judgments, transfers of security deposits via letters of credit, repair agreements, and broker-related issues to achieve a successful closing.  
• A multidisciplinary team served as real estate, land use, and public finance counsel to a private equity firm in its acquisition of the iPort 12 International Trade and Logistics Center in Carteret, a 1.26-million square foot logistics facility on a former brownfield and landfill site. The firm’s representation included complex title and access issues, assumption and amendment of public financing secured by PILOT agreements, negotiations with multiple public entities, and coordination of a lender short sale tied to prior environmental remediation financing.
• Represented Terreno Realty Corporation in the $29.8 million negotiated sale of an industrial property in Newark to a governmental agency in lieu of condemnation, addressing phased takings, tenant and environmental access issues, and valuation protections tied to potential future acquisitions.
• Represented a client in a Florida real estate sale structured as a Section 1031 exchange, including pre-sale reorganization of multiple entities into a single holding company, negotiation of the sale of three parcels, coordination of tenant access and estoppels, and execution of exchange documentation.  
• Represented a landlord in the negotiation of a large-format grocery lease involving exclusivity rights, coordination with a planned adjacent multifamily redevelopment, restructuring of a PILOT agreement, integration of a rooftop solar project, and lender coordination. The firm also negotiated a complex lease termination and lender-approved unwind.  
• Provided representation on behalf of an industrial property owner in the negotiation of a 79,000 square foot industrial lease requiring subdivision of a newly constructed building, early tenant access during construction, lender coordination, accommodation of a rooftop solar installation, and expedited municipal approvals. 
• Represented a manufacturing client in the sale of an industrial property involving ISRA-triggered environmental liabilities, negotiating an agreement shifting remediation obligations to the buyer, requiring environmental insurance, post-closing access rights, recorded institutional controls, and collateral securing ongoing obligations.
• Represented a solar energy owner and operator in connection with the sale of a 6.43-MW rooftop solar portfolio in New Jersey, including transfer of interconnection agreements, PJM GATS accounts, and PPAs, and advising on utility rate implications. The firm previously represented this client in construction, financing, and PPA negotiation for the project.
• Advising a real estate development, investment, and management firm, on community solar and on-site renewable energy projects, including negotiation of long-term solar leases, transmission easements, and ongoing compliance with NJBPU requirements.  
• Represented sellers in structuring a $98 million option-based sale of a multi-property industrial portfolio, addressing extensive title and environmental issues, allocation of remediation obligations, negotiation of environmental insurance, and recording of post-closing obligations binding future owners and lenders.
• Represented a developer in a $365 million sale-leaseback of a commercial office complex.
• Represented a major real estate investment firm in structuring a $322 million mixed-use data center, residential, and commercial development project, drafting reciprocal easement and condominium governance documents to support multi-owner conveyances and future buildout.
• Representing the principals in the planning and development of a proposed AI data center and on-site energy generation facility in Gloucester County, providing regulatory, land use, environmental, and energy law counsel, and securing local, state, and utility approvals and permits for a large-scale, infrastructure-intensive development project.
• Represented a national REIT in the $55 million acquisition of five industrial properties and land parcels in Newark, North Bergen, and Carlstadt.  
• Represented two New Jersey municipalities in the resolution of affordable housing litigation, securing court-approved settlements addressing fair-share obligations and compliance requirements.  
• Representing The Ramani Group and its affiliates in the phased redevelopment of a $500 million, 1,300-unit mixed-use residential and retail project in Plainfield, including multi-site acquisitions, redevelopment agreements, planning approvals, and complex financing. The firm’s work includes securing $26 million in permanent financing, structuring a $60 million construction loan for Phase II, and advising on entity restructuring to satisfy lender collateral requirements.
• Successfully represented the Islamic Center of Passaic County in securing municipal and county approvals for a $25 million, community center in Paterson and the expansion of its mosque in Clifton, prevailing before the Clifton Planning Board following protracted hearings and testimony and overcoming significant neighborhood opposition.
• Representing L’Oréal USA Products in the $75 million expansion of its Franklin Township manufacturing facility, obtaining unanimous planning board approval following extensive public hearings and negotiations over site improvements, and coordinating ongoing regulatory approvals with county and state agencies.
• Represented a corporation in the sale of a former chemical manufacturing facility burdened by zoning restrictions and environmental contamination, negotiating seller financing, price adjustments, and post-closing remediation agreements to facilitate a $10 million transaction after multiple prior failed sales.
• Represented the buyer in the $11.7 million acquisition and rehabilitation financing of a 250-unit multifamily property in Ohio, structuring a “drop and swap” transaction to avoid reassessment, negotiating complex lender covenants, and meeting accelerated closing requirements tied to defeasance.
• Representing a premiere production resource for the television and film industries in the leasing and operation of industrial space for film and television production companies, including Netflix, in New Jersey. The firm’s representation includes negotiating specialized master leases, subleases, and license agreements permitting short-term studio use, stage construction, and pyrotechnics, and structuring ancillary revenue arrangements.
• Representing an affiliated entity of a full-service real estate development, construction, and property management firm in a $50 million mixed-use development in South Orange, securing amended site plan and parking approvals for commercial tenants through streamlined hearings before a highly regulated municipal planning board.
• Represent The Lions Group, a family-owned real estate development, construction and property management firm, in connection with its transformational redevelopment project at Journal Square in Jersey City, projected to contain 360 residential units over 34 stories, retail space and a public thoroughfare to the Journal Square train station. Our representation includes preparation of applications to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for up to $90 million in tax credits under the Aspire Program and more than $13 million dollars more in Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. The firm's work further involves environmental remediation oversight, residential master lease preparation, financing for approximately $300 million dollars with one of the largest financial institutions in the world and preparation of condominium formation documents.
• Represented a real estate company as healthcare and regulatory counsel in developing assisted living facilities in Scotch Plains, East Brunswick, and Old Tappan in transactions exceeding $10 million.
• Represented a private investment fund in negotiating deed-in-lieu of foreclosure transactions for three suburban office properties securing defaulted CMBS  loans totaling more than $170 million.
• Represented an affiliate of a publicly traded REIT in the negotiation and closing of a $250 million non-recourse CMBS loan secured by a 1.25 million square foot office building in Jersey City.
• Represented a joint venture between a developer and an affiliate of Fidelity Investments in connection with a $44.7 million syndicated construction loan to reposition a vacant suburban office building.
• Served as New Jersey local counsel to the special servicer of a $300 million defaulted securitized loan secured by Bridgewater Commons Mall, representing Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. The firm advised on deed-in-lieu negotiations and facilitated the conversion of the transaction to a loan assumption when a buyer was identified, preserving value in light of a substantial valuation shortfall.
• Represented an affiliate of a publicly traded REIT in the negotiation and closing of a $150 million non-recourse mortgage loan to finance a 566,215 square foot Class A office building in Hoboken.  
• Represented an affiliate of a publicly traded REIT in the negotiation and closing of a $124.5 million non-recourse CMBS loan to finance the acquisition of a portfolio of Class A office buildings in Short Hills.
• Represented the seller of a five-building Class A office portfolio in Bergen County, including structuring purchase money mortgage financing totaling more than $64 million.
• Represented a real estate development principal in analyzing ownership structures and advising on Corporate Transparency Act compliance for approximately 75 affiliated entities, including beneficial ownership reporting and related corporate governance matters.
• Represented Veris Residential, Inc. on the $346 million sale of 101 Hudson Street, one of Jersey City’s premiere commercial buildings, as a key element of the company’s strategic office disposition plan. The sale was the largest office transaction in New Jersey in 2022 and was honored as the 2023 “Office Deal of the Year” by NAIOP New Jersey.
• Advised Avis Budget Group on the relocation and acquisition of its global headquarters in Parsippany. Structured to allow Avis to own, rather than lease, a four-story office condominium unit, providing long-term operational flexibility, the deal was recognized by NAIOP New Jersey as a finalist for 2023 “Deal of the Year.” The team negotiated the purchase agreement, condominium master deed, and construction-related contracts for the buildout of the new headquarters.
• Advised the owner of a multi-tenant commercial building on a $1.6 million sale, securing bulk sale clearance and structuring the transaction as a tax-deferred Section 1031 exchange to preserve value at closing.
• Represented a national commercial lender on the simultaneous closing of three mortgage loans in Maryland to finance the acquisition of three commercial properties by a New Jersey based company that is expanding its reach in the mid-Atlantic region. This transaction follows the firm’s successful representation of the bank in amending this borrower's $40 million business line of credit and demonstrates the firm’s capability to represent the New Jersey-based business groups of leading national banks.
• Advised a mortgagor on the refinance of its existing mortgage debt on a major warehouse property in Newark. The deal involved the structuring, negotiation, documentation and closing of a $14 million first mortgage loan and a $3 million second mortgage loan from M&T Bank, both of which are guaranteed by the mortgagor’s principal and affiliates. The proceeds were used to pay off existing mortgage debt and to fund the acquisition and renovation of a new site.
• Representing L’Oréal USA in a national real estate and environmental engagement supporting acquisitions, leasing, development, and operation of manufacturing and research facilities, including ISRA compliance, renewable energy and power off-take agreements, sustainability initiatives, and tax assessment matters. The firm’s recent work includes advising L’Oréal on the development and opening of its flagship New Jersey Research & Innovation facility, featuring an onsite solar microgrid, battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and peak-shaving controls.
• Represented the seller of a national HVAC airflow products manufacturer in a $75.5 million sale, coordinating transaction, environmental, and real estate leasing components.
• Represented a manufacturer in the $75 million acquisition of a competitor with six operating locations, addressing operational, real estate, and integration issues.
• Advised a financial investor in negotiating a $4 million operating agreement for a -register real estate development, structuring governance and economic rights among the investor, property manager, and construction manager.
• Represented Federal Business Centers, Inc. in multiple complex acquisitions, dispositions, and financing transactions involving large-scale industrial and commercial properties throughout New Jersey, with aggregate transaction values exceeding $140 million. The firm’s counsel has included a $49.75 million acquisition of a 12-building commercial complex structured as replacement property in a Section 1031 exchange; sales of contaminated and vacant industrial land involving ongoing remediation, post-closing access, and strict exchange timing requirements; and fixed-rate and construction financing transactions for major industrial facilities negotiated during volatile credit-market conditions. Additional work involved lease terminations, tenant estoppels and SNDAs, environmental risk allocation, demolition planning for redevelopment, resolution of pad-site and cell-tower lease issues, and coordination of lender, environmental, and insurance stakeholders.  

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