Real Estate
The attorneys in the Real Estate Department guide developers, landowners, builders and lenders through the intricate regulations, requirements and policies governing the approvals and permitting process at the state, county and municipal levels. We have experience in every phase of acquisitions, financing, development, redevelopment, planned development and leasing.
Our attorneys work diligently on behalf of our clients on all land-related matters, including land and building acquisition and sale, redevelopment, and negotiations of purchase and sale agreements for commercial, industrial and mixed use developments and residential property, acquisition, construction and mortgage financing, land title and land ownership issues, preparation of offering plans and governing documents for planned real estate developments, as well as applications and development programs with the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). We also have broad experience in renewable energy projects.
The firm also has a sophisticated and experienced leasing team that is alert to the nuances of leasing documents. Our attorneys prepare and negotiate leases on behalf of both landlords and tenants including complex and general land leases, office center leases, shopping center and retail leases, along with single purpose leases, government agency leases and leases for mixed use projects.
Our attorneys are members and involved in the New Jersey State Bar Association Land Use and Environmental Law Sections. They are also members of the Monmouth County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the New Jersey Builders Association and the Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey. Our attorneys serve on the redevelopment and mixed use committees of the New Jersey Builders. They have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and New Jersey Super Lawyers.
November 2024
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked by Best Law Firms® in 2025
October 2024
Brian Shemesh is Selected by NJ Law Journal as a 2024 New Leader of the Bar
August 2024
21 Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Best Lawyers® Award Recipients
August 2024
Five GH&C Attorneys Named in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®
August 2024
Marc D. Policastro Named 2025 Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" in the Woodbridge Area.
July 2024
Evan Zimmerman Elected to Board of NJ State Bar Association's Land Use Law Section
June 2024
Ten Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2024
March 2024
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
November 2023
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked by Best Law Firms® in 2024
August 2023
Four GH&C Attorneys have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®
August 2023
Twenty-Two GH&C Attorneys Recognized in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
June 2023
NAIOP NJ Honors GH&C Attorneys for Roles as Co-Counsel in Office Deal of the Year
June 2023
Ten Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2023
May 2023
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2023 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
November 3, 2022
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked in U.S. News & World Report - Best Lawyers," 2023 Best Law Firm Rankings
August 2022
24 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Were Recognized in the 2023 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America®
August 2022
Four Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™
June 14, 2022
Eleven Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2022
May 2022
Shore Builders Association Honors Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla
March 2022
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2022 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
March 2022
$130K in Attorneys Fees: Howell Township Settles After Council Accused of Usurping Planning Board's Role
March 2022
Here's How East Brunswick Overcame Property Owners' Opposition to Route 18 Development Project
January 2022
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Names 3 New Shareholders
November 2021
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked in U.S. News & World Report - "Best Lawyers," 2022 Best Law Firm Rankings
August 2021
24 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P. C. Were Recognized in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
August 2021
Four Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named to 2022 Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch
May 20, 2021
Eleven Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2021
April 2021
Christopher Healy Joins Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla
March 23, 2021
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2021 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
January 2021
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Names Commercial Leasing Shareholder and Real Property Tax, Affordable Housing Chairs
November 2020
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked in U.S. News & World Report - "Best Lawyers," 2021 Best Law Firm Rankings
August 2020
Three Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named 2021 Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" in the Woodbridge Area
August 2020
Five Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
August 2020
23 Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers® List
April 2020
NJ Beach Condo Beats Neighbor's Challenge to Enviro Permit
March 13, 2020
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2020 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
March 2020
Landlord Windfalls Do Not Necessarily Absolve a Defaulting Tenant
November 2019
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked in U.S. News & World Report - "Best Lawyers," 2020 Best Law Firm Rankings
August 15, 2019
23 Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named to 2020 Best Lawyers® List
August 15, 2019
Three Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named 2020 Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" in Woodbridge Area
April 25, 2019
Twelve Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2019
March 2019
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2019 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
December 2018
Appellate Panel Countenances Beach Easement Condemnations for Federal Funding
November 1, 2018
Steven Goldenberg Joins GH&C as Shareholder
October 3, 2018
Jennivere Kenlon Joins GH&C as Shareholder
August 2018
22 Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named to 2019 Best Lawyers® List
July 24, 2018
Michael Bruno Named One of NJBiz's Vanguard Series: Leaders in Law
July 2018
Tax Abatements Friend or Foe Workshop
June 2018
Mark Mako Joins Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla as Shareholder
May 2018
Somerville Approves 40-Acre Transit Village
March 20, 2018
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2018 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
March 2018
Michael Bruno Honored with NJBA Committee Chair's Award
November 1, 2017
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked in U.S. News & World Report - "Best Lawyers", 2018 Best Law Firms Rankings
August 16, 2017
22 Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named to 2018 Best Lawyers® List
May 30, 2017
Ten Giordano Attorneys Ranked in 2017 Chambers USA
April 2017
Planned Real Estate Development
March 15, 2017
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2017 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
May 2016
Eleven Giordano Attorneys Ranked in 2016 Chambers USA
January 5, 2016
NJDEP Deadline Looming for Completing Remedial Investigations
November 2015
J. Scott Anderson, Brian H. Harvey and Michael J. Vitiello Were Quoted in a New Jersey Business Magazine Article - "NJ's Unique Law Pracitce Groups"
November 2, 2015
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked In U.S. News & World Report - Best Lawyers, 2016 "Best Law Firms" Rankings
May 2015
Fourteen Giordano Attorneys Ranked in 2015 Chambers USA
March 19, 2015
Michael Bruno and Timothy DeHaut Co-Author an Article Published in Dimensions
March 10, 2015
Affordable Housing Is Now In The Hands of the Trial Courts
November 2014
Justin McCarthy Authors Article Published in Dimensions
November 3, 2014
GH&C Ranked in 2015 "Best Law Firms"
October 7, 2014
NJDEP Announces New Guidance On "Unrelated Contamination"
August 27, 2014
Appellate Division Confirms Illegality of Maintenance "Contributions" that Exceed the 15% Cap Permitted by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-53(a)(2)
July 29, 2014
Will Governor Christie Extend the Moratorium on Non-Residential Development Fees?
July 15, 2014
'Fake Farmer's Law' To Have Real Impact On New Jersey's Farmers In 2014
July 11, 2014
Attention Tenants! Grow-NJ Tax Credits Without Prevailing Wage
May 27, 2014
Sixteen Giordano Attorneys Ranked in 2014 Chambers USA
May 1, 2014
COAH Releases Its Long-Awaited Regulations
April 11, 2014
Appellate Division Affirms That Not Every Impairment In Property Value Will Establish A Government Regulatory Condemnation Claim
April 3, 2014
John Sarto Authors the Legal Q&A in April's TechNews
March 28, 2014
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected As 2014 New Jersey Super Lawyers And Rising Stars
March 18, 2014
C. Justin McCarthy and John A. Giunco Author an Article Published in NJBIA's February/March Edition of Dimensions
March 14, 2014
The COAH Saga Continues
February 25, 2014
Michael A. Bruno To Speak At Upcoming Seminar
February 14, 2014
John A. Giunco To Speak At Upcoming Seminar
February 4, 2014
John A. Giunco Quoted in Asbury Park Press Article
January 23, 2014
Deadline For Completing NJDEP Remedial Investigations Extended For Two Years
January 22, 2014
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Welcomes Donna A. McBarron
January 14, 2014
Extension of May 7, 2014 Remedial Investigation Deadline
December 18, 2013
Michael Bruno Authors "The Economic Opportunity Act of 2013: Incentives And Challenges For Residential Developers"
December 4, 2013
Remedial Investigation Deadline To Be Extended?
December 3, 2013
The Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 - Incentives and Challenges For Residential Developers
November 4, 2013
GH&C Ranked in 2014 "Best Law Firms"
September 10, 2013
Justin McCarthy Authors Legal Q&A On Changes to the 2014 Monmouth County Tax Appeal Process
August 19, 2013
Twenty One Lawyers From Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Selected For Inclusion In Best Lawyers in America 2014 List
August 7, 2013
Steven Gouin Authors Legal Q&A On Proposed Open-Space Preservation Amendment
August 6, 2013
Edward S. Radzely To Speak At Upcoming Seminar "Commercial Real Estate From A To Z"
July 30, 2013
John Sarto Authors Case Summary On Conditional Use Variances
July 30, 2013
Justin McCarthy Authors Article, "Big Changes for Monmouth Property Tax Assessments"
July 19, 2013
Brian Harvey Authors Article for Community Trends "You Don't Want To Pay Twice: Property Taxes In Common Interest Communities"
July 11, 2013
The Salt & Light Company, Inc. v. Township Of Willingboro Zoning Board Of Adjustment: Variances For Beneficial Use
July 10, 2013
High Court Overturns Abolition Of COAH
July 10, 2013
High Court Overturns Abolition Of COAH
July 2, 2013
John A. Sarto Joins Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. As Associate
July 1, 2013
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Names Brian Harvey Shareholder
June 26, 2013
NJ Senate Passes Open-Space Preservation Amendment
June 19, 2013
FEMA Releases New Base Flood Elevation Maps
June 19, 2013
FEMA Releases New Base Flood Elevation Maps
June 18, 2013
NJ Economic Opportunity Act Will Consolidate Economic Development Incentives
June 18, 2013
Procedures for Contractors Seeking to Participate in NJ Homeowner RREM Program
May 24, 2013
Sixteen Giordano Attorneys Ranked in 2013 Chambers USA
May 15, 2013
NJDEP Issues Guidance Document for May, 2014 Remediation Deadline
April 2, 2013
Michael A. Bruno & Steven P. Gouin Author Legal Q&A on Solar Energy in NJ
March 25, 2013
14 GH&C Attorneys Named by Super Lawyers 2013
March 14, 2013
GH&C Attorneys To Speak At The 2013 Atlantic Builders Convention
February 28, 2013
Michael Bruno Receives NJBA's Chairman's Award
February 11, 2013
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Conduct First Major Closing For The Former Fort Monmouth Property
January 4, 2013
Edward S. Radzely to Speak at "Top Commercial Lease Provisions" Seminar on March 12, 2013
January 2, 2013
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Names Tara Phelan Carver Shareholder
September 18, 2012
22 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Selected For Inclusion In The Best Lawyers in America
May 9, 2012
GH&C Attorneys Obtain Two Favorable BPU Decisions For Their Client
May 2012
GH&C; Attorneys Obtain Two Favorable BPU Decisions For Their Client
June 7, 2012
Sixteen Giordano Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA
May 2, 2012
Monica J. Ceres Honored By Collier School
March 16, 2012
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected As 2012 New Jersey Super Lawyers And Rising Stars
December 2011
GH&C; Attorneys Gain Approval For Client For Utility Grade Solar Generating Facility
September 2011
GH&C; Attorneys Obtain Approval to Convert Age Restrictions of a Townhouse Project
July 2011
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Attorneys Obtain Approval For Solar Facility
May 2011
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Attorneys Gain Approval To Develop Solar Farm
August 3, 2010
18 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ®
June 11, 2010
New Jersey State Senate Passes Bill S-1
April 22, 2010
S-921 - New Solar Power Legislation
March 29, 2010
Monmouth University Kislak Institute Honors John A. Giunco With Leadership Excellence Award
January 1900
Redevelopment
January 1900
Services We Offer & Who We Work With
January 1900
Affordable Housing
January 1900
Disaster Relief for Individuals and Small Businesses
January 1900
Leasing