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property management will be a huge benefit to the firm in supporting
our continued growth,” said Mark Meisner, president and founder of The Birch Group. “The momentum we’re seeing across our portfolio is a direct result of The Birch Group’s strategy to provide prospective tenants with unique spaces and environments that go above and beyond their needs and expectations.
“We have entered the new year as
the largest private office landlord
in New Jersey and continue to expand our reach in the tristate area to meet tenant demand for trophy quality, institutional assets. We expect leasing activity will remain strong in targeted submarkets in the coming months, as companies mull the return to the office and search
for top-tier environments for their workforce. With Mike on board, we’re confident that his deep expertise and knowledge will help us to exceed their expectations.”
In announcing the hire, Birch Group said it leased nearly 200,000 square feet to tenants across its portfolio
in 2021. The move also follows the company’s $255 million acquisition early last year of a prominent four- building portfolio in Short Hills and a recent $212 million purchase of two buildings in Jericho, New York.
CONNELL FOLEY
ADDS TO CORPORATE
LAW PRACTICE
Stephen P. Katz has joined Connell Foley LLP as a partner in its corporate and business law group, following nearly two decades at a major construction law firm.
According to a news release, Katz brings an extensive background in representing publicly and privately
Abramson, an internationally recognized construction law firm. He is the second lateral corporate partner to join Roseland-based Connell Foley since the start of the year, following the arrival of George Matteo, as the firm bolsters its reach in a core practice area.
“Stephen is a talented corporate practitioner, and we are very pleased to welcome him to the firm,” said Tim Corriston, Connell Foley’s managing partner. “With decades of success under his belt, we know Stephen’s practice will fit seamlessly with Connell Foley and will complement our corporate capabilities. We look forward to having him on the Connell Foley team.”
The firm announced the move in mid-March, touting Katz’s career
of counseling businesses across many industries, including venture capital investors, investment banks, technology companies, construction, architecture and engineering firms, nationally recognized apparel manufacturers, medical practice groups, corporate executives
and entrepreneurs. He has vast experience with mergers and acquisitions within the construction industry, Connell Foley said, citing his prior firm’s international construction law practice.
“I am excited to be joining Connell Foley, as I’ve known the firm, its attorneys and stellar reputation
for many years,” Katz said. “I look forward to continuing to provide my clients with the very best service, but now with the unrivaled experience and know-how of the Connell Foley firm behind me.”
Katz’s has also served as executive vice president and general counsel for Imagine Networks Inc., a company he founded and for which he oversaw all regulatory and legal matters, the news release said. He previously served as co-chairman of the Securities Law Division of the New Jersey State Bar Association and is a board member
of 100 Entrepreneurs Inc., a not-for- profit corporation providing career counseling services to wounded veterans.
He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Fordham University School of Law and is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working across the table from Stephen on various transactions over the years, and his insight and understanding of corporate law is superb,” said John
Cromie, chair of Connell Foley’s corporate and business law group. “In particular, he has firsthand experience in the industries in which many of our clients operate, and I am confident he will be a tremendous asset to the firm.”
DRESDNER ROBIN PROMOTES VETERAN ENGINEER
Dresdner Robin has promoted Matthew Neuls, a key member of the team behind some of its most high- profile projects, to associate director of engineering.
The Jersey City-based land use consultancy said Neuls, a veteran
REALESTATENJTM 21 building, which called for unique
considerations for utility and drainage systems due to inadequate support from waterfront fill material, as well as federal and state regulations.
Additionally, Neuls has served as
the municipal engineer of record to three communities and as engineering consultant to several land use
boards throughout New Jersey, Dresdner Robin said. He has been recognized as an expert witness
in the field of civil engineering by
the New Jersey Superior Court
and has presented testimony on compensatory mitigation for coastal resource impacts to the New Jersey state Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
“I say with confidence that every project to which I’ve had the pleasure of contributing has consistently aligned with the firm’s mission — to create transformative results,” Neuls said. “It’s very gratifying to grow with a company that is passionate about its work and the impact it makes on our clients and the communities in which we work.”
KEA ANNOUNCES NEW ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT HEAD
KEA Engineers has hired Michael Fishman to lead its electrical department, the Woodbridge-based firm announced.
In a news release, the company said Fishman brings
nearly 35 years
of experience
in the field,
having spent
the last 15 as an
associate and
senior electrical
engineer
at ICOR
Associates. As KEA’s new electrical department head, he joins a team that has been serving architects, developers and building owners across New York, New Jersey and many other major U.S. markets for nearly 40 years.
“Michael’s expertise is vast, covering new and existing educational, commercial, medical, industrial, residential buildings
and throughout all phases of the project’s construction,” KEA wrote in its announcement. “From project inception to design completion, Michael’s experience, knowledge
Matthew Neuls
engineer, has spent decades working on site, civil and public works engineering projects including multi- block urban- redevelopments
held companies in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, debt and equity offerings, venture
capital and private equity transactions
in the company’s home city. He has led residential, commercial and institutional development projects since joining Dresdner Robin in 2014, bringing a background in regulatory compliance for coastal resources, flood hazard and water-quality permitting for both state and federal agencies.
Neuls will continue to manage all aspects of site design and construction.
“We are thrilled to name Matthew as our new associate director of engineering,” said Tony Ianuale, Dresdner’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer. “He has outstanding skill and has worked on some of our largest projects to date. His many years of experience in the field have honed his ability to bring our clients’ visions to life.”
Neuls, who has a specialty in storm water management and grading design, as well as wastewater-utility design, has managed several projects for Dresdner Robin clients. They include Hudson Exchange West in Jersey City, a mixed-use complex consisting of two 36-story towers with a street-level retail component and open space amenities, along with the 376-unit residential building in the city known as Ellipse. The latter required him to navigate the site plan preparation for the 41-story
Michael Fishman
Stephen P. Katz
and regulatory matters. His corporate representation also includes the preparation of a wide range of agreements.
Katz most recently spent 18 years as chairman of the corporate
law practice group at Peckar &