Mitch Berkey
Member
Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi
The chair of the Real Estate Group at CSG, he is the visionary that drives both the practice’s strategic growth into one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s largest — with nearly 40 attorneys — and its geographic expansion handling transactions in markets nationwide.
Jay Biggins
Executive managing director
Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co.
Perfect pivot: Biggins and BLS helped open Rapid Reshore & Development, which will provide services for the fast-moving and ultra-important life sciences and biopharma industries.
Monica Casiello
Director of business development and marketing
U.S. Title Solutions
She was recently named the executive committee of the advisory board of the Center for Real Estate at Rutgers Business School and has been described as “a driving force for real change and innovation for the real estate industry in New Jersey.”
Tony Coscia
Partner
Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf
One of the three trustees of the Gateway Development Commission, Coscia finally gets to see federal funding for the project. He is also so good at running Amtrak and advising top leaders everywhere that folks sometimes forget he’s an incredible corporate, commercial and real estate lawyer, too.
Frank Giantomasi
Member
Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi
Well-respected veteran is always one step ahead: Giantomasi is involved with many projects in the Newark-Elizabeth corridor.
Bob Goldsmith
Partner and chair, Redevelopment & Land Use Department
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP
His practice focuses on redevelopment, downtown and urban revitalization, transit-oriented development, project financing and incentives, sustainable building initiatives and public-private partnerships.
Lori Grifa
Partner
Archer Law
Long overdue honor for well-respected lawyer who has worked both in private practice and public service throughout her career and served governors from both sides of the aisle.
Alan Hammer
Member
Brach Eichler
When there is a complex real estate deal to be done, whether it is a purchase or sale, tax appeal or other legal matter, prominent real estate developers and investors call on Hammer.
Bob Klausner
Partner
Fox Rothschild
He is a solid and steady regular on the list — and for good reason. Klausner always is involved in some of the state’s biggest deals and in talks with many of its most influential players.
Matt Krauser
Co-market leader
Newmark
A trusted source for a wide range of commercial real estate issues, Krauser specializes in tax appeals, condemnations, litigation and open space/land preservation issues.
Jennifer Mazawey
Partner
Genova Burns
Mazawey’s impact on the real estate industry is multifaceted, touching on industry, firm and community. Not only is she a leader in her profession, but an example and an advocate for women seeking to follow in her footsteps.
W. Nevins McCann
Partner
Connell Foley
A man who has been at the frontline of New Jersey’s legal and political landscape for many years. From major real estate projects to high-stakes litigation, he advises clients on some of the state’s most significant and high-profile legal developments.
Chris Murphy; Matt Schiller
Partners
Murphy Schiller & Wilkes
Partners in the boutique firm (along with Kellen Murphy), they routinely represent clients in procuring, planning, zoning and other development approvals, and help clients identify, negotiate and secure real estate and economic development incentives.
Jeffrey Otteau
President
Otteau Valuation Group
No one does what he does better. Otteau is the go-to source for evaluation and analysis needed to show any project is worth doing — or not worth doing — and is frequently quoted in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
John Palumbo
Chief legal officer and vice president of real estate development
Manhattan Building Co.
He oversees the company’s Legal Department, with a focus on long-term strategy, and plays a key role in leading the company’s real estate development team, including minimizing the company’s legal risks by advising the company’s president on all major legal and regulatory issues.
Jennifer Phillips Smith
Director, Real Property Group
Gibbons
Smith is savvy in navigating the ins and outs of governmental approvals for redevelopment areas and has experience drafting and reviewing redevelopment documents, including redevelopment agreements, redevelopment plans, financial agreements such as PILOTs, and special assessment agreements. She has extensive experience in land use litigation, including challenges involving municipal land use approvals and affordable housing matters.
Jackie Urgo
President
The Marketing Directors
Urgo is one of the leaders of a residential marketing, sales and leasing company that seemingly is used by everyone to do a lot of things, including coming in early on product design to help drive the offering.
Kosi Remy
Head of New Jersey social impact initiatives
Fidelity National Title Insurance Co.
Well-respected commercial title lawyer who has handled many landmark deals on behalf of several social impact firms like RWJBarnabas Health, PGIM and New Brunswick Development Corp. Many clients affirm Remy is skillful at combining legal experience, relationships and logistics.
Frank Vitolo
Member
Sills Cummis & Gross
He handles real estate and land use disputes and government approvals for commercial, mixed-use and residential developments. Was a key player in getting M Station to the starting line.
David Wolfe
Principal
Skoloff & Wolfe P.C.
He is one of the leading and most highly visible tax appeal lawyers in the state and represents taxpayers, as well as corporate and individual clients, in significant real estate tax matters.
Ted Zangari
Member
Sills, Cummis & Gross
As the chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice, Zangari has been a tireless advocate for the real estate industry in New Jersey, especially incentives and Opportunity Zones. He is also the lead on the firm’s wide-ranging Outside General Counsel practice group and heads its Public Policy and Governmental Affairs teams.
