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Land Use & Development Law
Committed to Preservation of Property Rights
The attorneys in the Land Use & Development Practice Area 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. As the demand for Smart Growth and Green Building (LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) increases, our attorneys remain informed and provide topical and insightful advice to our clients. We have experience in every phase of acquisitions, financing, development, redevelopment and leasing.
Specifically, 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, and applications and development programs with the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH).
In addition, we have 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 simple purpose leases, government agency leases and leases for mixed use projects.
While our attorneys seek to obtain approvals, there are times when an unreasonable decision of a state, county or municipal agency requires resorting to Courts for relief. Our litigation teams provide superior support to the Land Use & Development attorneys. We have litigated complex and detailed issues to preserve our clients property rights. Successful litigation has resulted in favorable results for our clients, while challenging unreasonable municipal ordinances, environmental and administrative regulations, development moratoriums, COAH mediations and obligations, and unreasonable decisions of county and municipal zoning and planning boards.
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. They have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and New Jersey Super Lawyers.
July 2024
Evan Zimmerman Elected to Board of NJ State Bar Association's Land Use Law Section
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
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® "Lawyer of the Year" in Woodbridge Area
August 2022
Four Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™
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
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
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
January 2021
National Publication Honors 6 at Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla For Articles on Environmental and Land Use Law
November 2020
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked in U.S. News & World Report - "Best Lawyers," 2021 Best Law Firm Rankings
August 2020
Five Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
June 2020
Ten Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2020
March 13, 2020
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2020 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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
November 2018
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked in U.S. News & World Report - "Best Lawyers," 2019 Best Law Firm Rankings
August 2018
22 Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named to 2019 Best Lawyers® List
March 20, 2018
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2018 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
January 17, 2018
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Names John Sarto Shareholder
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
January 2017
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Names Four New Shareholders
November 2, 2016
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked In U.S. News & World Report - Best Lawyers, 2017 "Best Law Firms" Rankings
September 2016
GH&C Attorney Receives Approval for Builder to Develop Residential Building Lots in Jackson, NJ
May 2016
Eleven Giordano Attorneys Ranked in 2016 Chambers USA
November 4, 2013
GH&C Ranked in 2014 "Best Law Firms"
August 19, 2013
Twenty One Lawyers From Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Selected For Inclusion In Best Lawyers in America 2014 List
July 30, 2013
Justin McCarthy Authors Article, "Big Changes for Monmouth Property Tax Assessments"
July 2013
TSI East Brunswick, LLC v. Zoning Bd. of Adjustment of Twp. of East Brunswick, Clarifies Standard Of Proof Applicable To Negative Criteria For Conditional Use Variances
December 14, 2012
John A. Giunco to Speak at "Commercial & Residential Landlord-Tenant Law" Seminar
November 8, 2012
Potential Property Tax Relief for Properties Affected By Hurricane Sandy
September 18, 2012
22 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Selected For Inclusion In The Best Lawyers in America
September 12, 2012
Peter Reinhart Selected As Panelist Discussing Overall State Economic Picture, October 17, 2012
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
March 16, 2012
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected As 2012 New Jersey Super Lawyers And Rising Stars
January 2, 2012
Peter S. Reinhart Featured In NJBIZ Article, "Building A New Career"
December 2, 2011
GH&C Attorneys Gain Approval For Client For Utility Grade Solar Generating Facility
December 2, 2011
GH&C Attorneys Gain Approval For Client For Outdoor Advertising Billboards
November 14, 2011
Michael J. Gross To Speak at the CLE "Real Estate & Land Development Committee" Seminar, November 17
October 31, 2011
John Giunco Authors Q&A On 2012 Municipal Property Tax Appeal
October 4, 2011
John A. Aiello, John A. Giunco & Paul H. Schneider Named The Woodbridge Best Lawyers of the Year For 2012
September 1, 2011
Peter S. Reinhart Joins Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla as Of Counsel
August 24, 2011
GH&C Attorneys Gain Approval for a Utility Scale Solar Facility
July 27, 2011
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Attorneys Obtain Approval For Solar Facility
July 12, 2011
Edward S. Radzely To Speak At NBI's "Commercial Leases: Negotiating Key Provisions," October 5, 2011
June 10, 2011
Fifteen Giordano Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA
May 24, 2011
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Attorneys Gain Approval To Develop Solar Farm
March 29, 2011
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected As 2011 New Jersey Super Lawyers And Rising Stars
December 16, 2010
"New Jersey Solar Renewable Energy Credits - Is The Future Really That Bright?"
September 24, 2010
GH&C Attorneys Win Builder's Remedy Case Against Livingston Township
September 21, 2010
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Ranked In U.S. News - Best Lawyers, "Best Law Firms" Rankings
August 16, 2010
Giordano Shareholder Monica J. Ceres Selected for Inclusion in the New Jersey Law Journal's "40 Under 40"
June 11, 2010
Eleven Giordano Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA
May/ June, 2010
"Legal & Legislative Update May/ June 2010"
January 1900
Services We Offer & Who We Work With
January 1900
Affordable Housing
January 1900
Permit Extension Act Effective September 6, 2008
January 1900
Disaster Relief for Individuals and Small Businesses