Best Lawyers in New Jersey, United States for Land Use and Zoning Law

Donna M. Jennings is a shareholder in the Land Use and Environmental groups and a member of the Management Committee at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. Ms. Jennings has successfully handled litigation related to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) on behalf of individuals and institutions who were discriminated against by unfair zoning codes and landmarking laws. With regard to her affordable housing practice, both public and private entities benefit from Ms...

Area of Emphasis: Redevelopment: Redevelopment plans, zoning ordinances and designation of renewal areas; Property acquisition including development of appraisals in anticipation of condemnation, negotiation of acquisitions, and condemnation; Contracts between public entity responsible for implementation of redevelopment and private redevelopers (including responses to requests for proposal); Loan and grant applications and agreements in connection with governmental assistance for redevelopme...

Donald PEPE is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Donald, who practices law in Red Bank, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Donald is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ivette P. Alvarado is a Member of the Sills Cummis & Gross Real Estate Department. She focuses her practice on multiple disciplines within commercial real estate law, mainly in New Jersey and New York. Beyond negotiating deals and drafting pertinent documents to memorialize terms, Ms. Alvarado takes a hands-on approach to serving her clients by advising them of potential risks, assisting them in problem solving and coordinating with their other professionals to successfully close deals. M...

Charles B. Liebling concentrates on redevelopment and redevelopment financing, land use law, and general real estate transactions. Mr. Liebling represents both for-profit and non-profit developers as well as governmental entities. Redevelopment and Land Use As part of his redevelopment practice, Mr. Liebling is involved in the establishment of public-private partnerships and the utilization of governmental incentive programs. He focuses on the negotiation of complex redevelopment agreements a...

James L. Lott, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. James L., who practices law in Madison, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Cecilia I. Lassiter, Chair of the Sills Cummis & Gross State and Local Incentives Law Practice, focuses on state and local public incentives and real estate matters, with a particular emphasis on redevelopment, zoning and land use. Ms. Lassiter has extensive experience in redevelopment matters, including the designation of areas in need of redevelopment or areas in need of rehabilitation, and the negotiation and preparation of complex redevelopment agreements, purchase and sale agreements...

Michael A. Bruno is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Michael A., who practices law in Red Bank, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Lloyd has 30 years of experience in all aspects of real property taxation including counseling, litigation and legislation. John represents taxpayers, municipalities, and related interest groups on real property taxation matters. He has thirty-two reported decisions, three of which were argued before the New Jersey Supreme Court. John has handled matters for all types of real property including regional shopping malls, four-star hotels, corporate headquarters, office buildings, multi-fam...

Douglas J. Janacek Co-Chairs the Real Property and Environmental Department and is a member of the firm's Executive Committee. His areas of concentration are real estate development, planning, permitting and redevelopment matters with emphasis on commercial, office and industrial developments. He has appeared before planning and zoning boards and governing bodies of many municipalities throughout the state, and also before the NJDEP, NJDOT and other state and county agencies, in connection wi...

Steven J. Tripp is chair of the Land Use team at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., concentrating his practice on land use and redevelopment. Mr. Tripp regularly appears before planning boards, zoning boards of adjustment and municipal governing bodies, as well as county and state agencies handling all aspects of the land development process. His practice encompasses all types of development projects in various industry sectors including commercial, office, industrial, warehouse, healthcar...

Meryl A.G. Gonchar is Leader of the Sills Cummis & Gross Redevelopment and Land Use Law Practice Groups. Her practice encompasses all aspects of land use, redevelopment, zoning and related litigation. She represents property owners and developers in appearances before planning and zoning boards throughout the state, in connection with obtaining land use approvals for residential, retail, office, industrial, hospitality and mixed-use projects. She represents clients in the negotiation of r...