Page 20 - 2021 Spotlight NJ's Top Law Firms
P. 20

18 MARCH 2021
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    JLL PROMOTES TWO IN N.J. CAPITAL MARKETS GROUP
JLL has promoted Steve Simonelli and Michael Oliver to the role of managing director within its New Jersey capital markets team.
Based in the firm’s Morristown office, both joined JLL as part of its 2019 acquisition of HFF. They boast a combined $11 billion of completed transactions and more than 27 years of combined commercial real estate experience.
“Steve and Michael are both outstanding investment sales specialists,” said Senior Managing Director Jose Cruz, who is co-head of JLL’s New Jersey capital markets office. “I’ve had the honor of seeing them grow both as people and professionals over the last decade we have worked together, and I look forward to seeing their continued success in serving our clients in New Jersey and the entire tristate area.”
Simonelli specializes in investment sales advisory with a focus on
of Soho Lofts in Jersey City, along with the $110 million trade of Avalon Somerset in Somerset.
He is also an
active member
of NAIOP and NJAA, holding a bachelor’s from Colgate University and a master’s in real estate from New York University.
GREENBAUM ROWE
ATTORNEY TAPPED
FOR NJBA POST
The New Jersey Builders Association has tapped Steven G. Mlenak, a partner with Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP, for the newly created position of redevelopment counsel.
The law firm announced the move while noting that the organization specifically created the leadership post for Mlenak, who is part of its redevelopment and land use and real estate departments. In the role, he will provide guidance to the NJBA and its members on a range of legal issues related to the redevelopment process in New Jersey, while
also being a key participant in the association’s legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts.
Mlenak also serves as a member of the NJBA’s legislative committee.
Greenbaum, which is headquartered in Woodbridge, said Mlenak concentrates
his practice in
the areas of
redevelopment,
land use, zoning
and real estate
development.
He counsels
developers,
property owners
and municipalities on all aspects
of the redevelopment process
related to mixed-use, residential, industrial, commercial, office, retail and affordable housing projects,
with services such as drafting redevelopment-related documents and appearing before land use entities and governing bodies.
Mlenak also counsels clients on financial and economic development incentives and tax abatements available at the state and federal level, including those created or amended under the new $14 billion New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020.
MSW MAKES NEW
HIRES IN LITIGATION,
LAND USE GROUPS
Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP has expanded its litigation and land use practice groups with the hiring of Christopher A. Khatami and Hannah C. Bartges.
Khatami, who joins the Newark-based firm as counsel, will concentrate his
Act. Following law school, Bartges served as a judicial law clerk to state Superior Court Judge John M. Deitch.
She received her law degree,
magna cum laude, with a certificate in environmental law from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, where she was acquisitions editor of the Pace Environmental Law Review. She received her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Florida State University.
“We are incredibly excited to have Chris and Hannah join our growing team,” said Kellen F. Murphy, MSW’s managing partner. “Our ability to continue to attract top-level talent is a testament to our vision of building a first-rate boutique law firm focused solely on commercial real estate and development.”
LARKEN ADDS SR. ESTIMATOR TO IN- HOUSE TEAM
Larken Associates has hired Emilio Valdo as a senior estimator with its growing in-house construction team.
In the new role, Valdo will assist with the Branchburg-
 Michael Oliver
      Steve Simonelli
estimating experience and will work with the senior leadership of Larken Associates and its construction unit, Core Enterprises, to ensure cost- effective planning and delivery of projects.
“In such a competitive development market, the ability to streamline
and find efficiencies within the construction process has never
been more important,” said Lenny Tartamella, chief operating officer at Larken Associates. “As we continue to grow our development pipeline, we know that having the right people in place will be crucial to our continued success. We are excited to bring Emilio on board and we are confident that we can lean on his experience and knowledge as we continue to bring unique and exciting projects to life.”
The firm said Valdo will deliver
sale of a multifamily portfolio in Clifton and Somerset, the $283.5 million recapitalization of Rosemont at Brookhaven in Bellport, New York, and the $259.3 million sale
of Halstead New Rochelle in New Rochelle, New York.
The firm added that Simonelli is an active member of NAIOP, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the New Jersey Apartment Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University.
Oliver, meantime, also specializes
in investment sales advisory transactions with a focus on multifamily, land, office and retail transactions. His recent deals include the $409 million sale of Liberty Towers and the $263.8 million sale
Hannah C. Bartges
multifamily housing, office, retail and land transactions, the news release said. He has been involved
in transactions such as the $218 million
clients in connection with complex litigation matters in both state and federal courts.
Khatami received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Fordham University, where he was a dean’s list student, Arabic Language Fellowship recipient and Fulbright Scholar nominee.
Meantime, Bartges has joined MSW as an associate
and will focus
on land use and
environmental matters, according to a news release. Prior to joining the firm,
she worked
as an associate in a top New Jersey-based law firm, gaining invaluable experience representing clients ranging from Fortune
500 companies to family-owned businesses.
Prior to entering private practice, Bartges was assistant corporation counsel in Jersey City’s Law Department, where she handled complex issues concerning federal, state and municipal laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and New Jersey’s Spill
Emilio Valdo
based firm’s expanding development pipeline and third-party construction projects. He brings nearly 25 years of
Christopher A. Khatami
practice on real estate litigation. Prior to joining MSW, he worked at a New Jersey- based litigation boutique, where he represented both private- and public-sector
 Steven G. Mlenak
























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