By Joshua Burd
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC has announced a new addition to its real estate, development and land use group.
In a news release, the law firm said Demetrice R. Miles joins its West Orange-based team with decades of public- and private-sector experience. His practice has focused heavily on litigation with a concentration in real estate, real property tax appeals and exemption claims, eminent domain, in rem tax foreclosures, public utility law, environmental law, public contracts law, the Open Public Records Act, construction law, labor and employment and complex commercial litigation.
In the field of tax appeals and eminent domain, Miles has served as special counsel to public entities throughout New Jersey, including the city of Newark, the Housing Authority of the City of Newark, the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, the borough of Carteret, the Carteret Redevelopment Agency, the township of West Orange and the East Orange Housing Authority.
“I’ve known Demetrice since he started with the city of Newark more than 25 years ago,” said Frank J. Giantomasi, a member of CSG Law’s executive committee. “His experience with PILOTs, redevelopment plans and urban redevelopment is simply extraordinary. We believe he’ll be a tremendous asset to the real estate group as part of the tax appeal team.”
As assistant corporation counsel in Newark, Miles frequently defended tax appeals before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Tax Court of New Jersey and the Essex County Board of Taxation, while also reviewing and processing tax exemption applications, preparing ordinances and resolutions, representing the city in matters involving zoning and land use planning and engaging in appellate practice, the news release said. Additionally, he represented the municipality before the state Supreme Court in the case of GM v. Linden, which involved the city’s challenge to the constitutionality of the Business Retention Act.
“Navigating the intersection between the public and private sectors has always been a strong point of our real estate practice,” said Mitch Berkey, chair of the firm’s real estate, development and land use group. “Demetrice’s extensive public-sector background will prove invaluable as our Real Estate Group continues to expand to meet the needs of our valued clients.”
Miles previously was a partner at a Roseland-based law firm, where he represented public-sector clients in the drafting and negotiation of various transaction agreements, the news release said. He also represented those clients in all stages of the procurement process, including drafting and reviewing bid specifications and contracts, attending bid openings and reviewing bids to ensure material compliance with applicable requirements.
Miles earned his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and his bachelor’s from Eastern Michigan University.
