Overview
Developer/Investor Counsel
As a lead outside counsel to several prominent investors/developer clients, Michael serves on and manages a team of lawyers that oversees all aspects of their real estate needs, ranging from regularly handling large, multifaceted transactions to providing counsel in connection with their day-to-day matters.
Corporate Client Counsel
Michael represents corporate clients in a variety of matters, including headquarters sales and lease transactions, acquisitions and dispositions, and leasing.
Individual Owners/Investors
Michael represents individuals in their real estate law-related matters, including conservation and agricultural preservation transactions.
Ancillary Services
Michael oversees and coordinates lawyers from other practice areas, such as litigators and tax, environmental, labor and construction lawyers, in providing counsel to real estate clients.
Speaking Experience
Michael is a frequent speaker on real estate law topics. He has presented on ground leases to the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and speaks often on various real estate law topics to the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
Personal Interests
Michael lives with his wife and two sons on a farm in Tewksbury, New Jersey. He enjoys farm work and riding horses.
Related Legal Services
Related Topics
Credentials
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Education
Rutgers School of Law - Newark
J.D. with high honors, Rutgers Law Review (1993)
University of Pennsylvania
B.A. (1987)
Insights & Events
Insights
Leadership & Community
Pro Bono
Michael led the successful effort to preserve hundreds of acres of family farmlands and woodlands for future generations.
He was a founding member of a land trust established for land preservation, and of an education foundation set up to raise money to supplement the budget of local public schools. Michael has provided pro bono real estate legal services to the land trust and other nonprofit institutions.
Professional Associations
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers — Fellow (Vice Chair, Programs Committee)
- National Association of Office and Industrial Properties
Firm Leadership
- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Former Chair, Real Estate Group
Honors
- Chambers USA — Band 1, New Jersey, Real Estate, 2012-24
This award is conferred by Chambers & Partners. A description of the methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. - Chambers USA — New Jersey, Real Estate, 2004-11
This award is conferred by Chambers & Partners. A description of the methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. - Best Lawyers® — Real Estate Law, 2020-25
This award is conferred by Best Lawyers. A description of the methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Lexology Index — Real Estate, 2023-24
This award is conferred by Lexology. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- New Jersey Super Lawyers — 2005-21, 2024-25
This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.