Commercial Real Estate
Our real estate practice encompasses the development, acquisition, disposition, leasing, financing, and construction of commercial real estate; foreclosures; and development of housing projects. We also handle all types of real estate litigation.
While our attorneys ensure that all work is completed to structure and close transactions, we also help clients identify and develop business opportunities. Through close working relationships, we strive to assist clients in meeting their goals and objectives beyond a single transaction.
Planned Real Estate Development
Our attorneys are experienced in project registration with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs on behalf of developers and sponsors. In addition, our attorneys routinely handle regulatory issues arising within the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. These matters include public disclosure compliance, conversion and eviction laws, builder registration and new home warranty issues, community association regulations, and building or housing code violations.
Our engagements in this area begin with our involvement at the early stages of residential multifamily complexes, single-family residential subdivisions, condominium developments, and condominium conversions. We establish these developments to afford ownership of the homes under a condominium, cooperative, or homeowner association. Our representation includes the developer/sponsor of common interest communities such as residential condominiums and fee-simple subdivided lot communities governed by an association. In addition, we provide counsel to sponsors of residential conversion properties.
Our attorneys are experienced in project registration with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs on behalf of developers and sponsors. In addition, our attorneys routinely handle regulatory issues arising within the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. These matters include public disclosure compliance, conversion and eviction laws, builder registration and new home warranty issues, community association regulations, and building or housing code violations.
Real Estate Leasing
Our attorneys are experienced in representing landlords and tenants in a variety of leasing transactions, including build-to-suit leases, turnkey leases, tenant improvement allowance leases, subleases, office leases, retail leases, warehouse, and industrial leases. Leases carry a variety of business and legal risks. Many lease and sublease transactions require an assessment and allocation of costs, benefits, and risks. We understand the need to negotiate and document the transaction quickly while minimizing our client’s legal and business risks. We counsel both landlords and tenants on the practical risk allocation, contracting scheme, and organization of a project team.
Condominiums and Cooperatives
- Preparing rules and regulations
- Drafting architectural guidelines that comply with applicable laws and codes
- Advising on affording proper notice and hearing before meetings
- Interpretation, amendment, and enforcement of the governing documents, such as Declaration of Condominium, Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws of the Association, and the rules and regulations
- General counsel services, i.e., handling day-to-day questions regarding operational, technical, regulatory, and practical issues
- Assisting the Board of Directors on fiscal matters, such as budgeting, levying special assessments, and establishing reserves
- Drafting legal opinions intended for the Board of Directors to ensure satisfaction of fiduciary duties
- Defending the Board of Directors in litigation arising out of allegations of breach of fiduciary duty
- Addressing maintenance and repair issues and distinguishing between those projects which require Board approval and those which require unit owner approval
- Drafting and reviewing contracts for the management, maintenance, repair, and operation of the community
- Assisting in planning and developing contracts for construction projects and complying with construction lien laws
- Reviewing loan documents and structuring commercial lines of credit and/or arranging sources of financing
- Representing clients in collection actions, including lien foreclosures for unpaid common expense assessments and rent receivership.
