The Real Estate Practice Group is comprised of highly skilled attorneys with varied backgrounds and specialties, which enables us to meet the needs of our diverse client base. The group offers a highly integrated set of services to owners, purchasers, developers and financial institutions in all aspects of real estate law, land use planning and related matters, both in New Jersey and nationally. Our clients include:

  • Commercial owners and developers of commercial, residential, office, industrial and shopping center properties
  • Landlords and tenants
  • Commercial and residential buyers and sellers
  • Financial institutions, including banks, savings and loans, and insurance companies
  • REITS

The experience and specialized knowledge of our attorneys allows us to undertake virtually any assignment and complete it efficiently and cost-effectively. Where appropriate, we also offer our clients supplementary services, such as business or tax planning, to ensure the success of their efforts.

Members of our group remain current on industry developments by hosting industry conferences and client and technical seminars, speaking at industry associations and actively publishing in the field.

The Real Estate Practice Group also advises clients in all aspects of land use planning and obtaining development approvals, as well as drafting and negotiating construction and architectural service agreements.

Representation of Commercial Developers and Owners

The group represents commercial developers and owners of real property, regularly handling complex purchase and sale transactions; short- and long-term leases, including ground leases; joint ventures and development projects. We represent real estate owners, including a publicly held Real Estate Investment Trust, and national big box retailers and supermarkets in substantial and sophisticated financial and development transactions. We aggressively negotiate with banks and other lenders on legal and business issues relating to these transactions, as well as land use planning for development approvals.

Commercial Leasing

Commercial leasing transactions are driven as much by an urgency to complete a deal as by insightful attention to every detail. Key additions to our professional staff in recent years have ensured that our clients benefit both from the experience of our nationally recognized commercial leasing attorneys and their commitment to swift turnaround. We represent landlords and tenants in all commercial settings, industrial and residential, and in all phases of development, from acquisition and financing to environmental cost recovery, in both transactions and litigation.

Real Estate Tax Appeals

Our attorneys assist businesses and individuals in reducing real estate property taxes through the prosecution of real estate tax appeals and certiorari proceedings throughout New Jersey. We advise and guide clients through each step of what can be a trying and difficult process, and utilize a network of real estate professionals and appraisers in building the strongest case possible to achieve the best results.

Workouts

Under the direction of a former lead counsel for the workout department of a major New Jersey bank, our banking group aids in the resolution of problem loans and avoidance of lender liability, making use of our legal skills and practical understanding of related real estate and business issues. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, we advise clients on bankruptcy-related matters or pursue foreclosure and collection proceedings.

Real Estate Development and Land Use

Our Land Use attorneys regularly appear before local and county zoning and planning boards, and other governing bodies and authorities, on behalf of landowners and developers. We have represented major regional shopping centers, department stores, office buildings, multi-family residences and health care facilities in contested zoning and land use matters with great success.

Many municipalities throughout New Jersey are familiar with Winne Banta and our land use attorneys, enhancing our ability to effectively present and prosecute an application.

Environmental Law

Winne Banta’s environmental attorneys assist a wide variety of clients in:

  • Environmental Litigation – Our attorneys have successfully litigated diverse environmental matters, including establishing responsibility for remediation of contaminated sites and cost recovery between responsible parties, and on behalf of responsible parties in disputes with their insurers.
  • Real Estate Transactions and Brownfields Development – We have assisted clients in completing many successful Brownfields developments and in obtaining tax credits and other funding for these development projects.
  • Regulatory Compliance and Permitting – We help clients address a variety of environmental regulations, including defending enforcement matters and obtaining permits for various commercial and industrial operations and real estate development projects.

Residential Real Estate

Our attorneys and paralegal staff represent individuals in the purchase, sale, financing and refinancing of residential properties. We also serve as review counsel for financial institutions in the closing of residential mortgage loans. We strive to offer affordable, prompt service, cognizant of the stresses the current economic climate places on homeowners and home buyers.