Land Use Attorney

Job Title: Attorney - Land Use, Real Estate Development, Redevelopment, Real Property Taxation and Eminent Domain

Location: Paramus, New Jersey

Job Type: Full-Time; Hybrid (3 days in-office; 2 days remote)

Department: Land Use, Real Estate Development, Redevelopment Groups

JOB SUMMARY

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, a mid-size, full-service firm in northern New Jersey, seeks an experienced attorneywith expertise in land use, real estate development and redevelopment law, with a primary focus on representation of government entities. Additional experience in real property taxation, environmental compliance, affordable housing and eminent domain is a plus factor. This role requires proficiency in transactional real estate development, local government entity governance and practice, with a focus on redevelopment, affordable housing, public infrastructure, public-private partnerships, eminent domain and real property taxation. The ability to handle or be part of the team on collateral litigation relating to these core practice areas would be a significant plus factor but is not required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Transactional & Regulatory Work

• Prepare and present applications for zoning variances, site plan approvals, and subdivisions before NJ planning/zoning boards.
• Negotiate and draft redevelopment agreements, PILOTs (Payment in Lieu of Taxes), and financial agreements under NJ’s Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL).
• Advise on compliance with NJ’s Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), Fair Housing Act, and Mt. Laurel obligations for affordable housing.
• Conduct due diligence for transactions relating to land use applications, redevelopment and PILOT agreements, including matters presenting an affordable housing component, including capacity to conduct environmental reviews (CAFRA, wetlands, NJDEP permits) and title/survey analysis.

Public Entity & Municipal Representation

• Provide counsel to municipalities, redevelopment agencies, and planning/zoning boards relating to land use, redevelopment, PILOT agreements, eminent domain, real property taxation and associated practice areas.
• Draft necessary organizational and governing documents, including ordinances, resolutions, and transaction agreements.
• Advise public entities on compliance with key enabling legislation including, but not limited to, Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, Local Public Contracts Law, Open Public Meetings Act, Eminent Domain Act, among others.
• Appear before or on behalf of public entities at public meetings.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Participate in litigation or collaterally support the litigation group in the defense of land use approvals, redevelopment designations, takings, tax levies and in response to affordable housing challenges, among others.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• NJ Bar admission; 10 years of experience in NJ land use/zoning law, redevelopment, and real estate law.
• Demonstrated client-facing skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and serve as primary contact for municipal and private clients.
• Track record securing approvals for mixed-use developments, transit-oriented projects, or brownfield redevelopment.
• Experience drafting redevelopment agreements, tax abatement terms, and financial agreements.
• Familiarity with NJ’s environmental regulations (CAFRA, Flood Hazard Area Control Act).

Preferred

• Background in public entity representation (e.g., municipal attorney, planning board counsel).
• Litigation experience relevant to core transactional areas of focus.
• Knowledge of tax increment financing (TIF) and bond ordinances.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000 annually
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with firm matching
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Flexible work arrangements considered
• Partnership track opportunities for qualified candidates

ABOUT DECOTIIS, FITZPATRICK, COLE & GIBLIN, LLP

Founded in 1986, DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, has become a leader in the New Jersey government, legal, and business communities. Our firm is a 50-plus-attorney, full-service firm headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey. We specialize in delivering innovative solutions with an unparalleled ability to collaborate across practice groups. Our attorneys practice in a wide variety of areas, including litigation, environmental law, labor and employment, commercial real estate, redevelopment, municipal law, government and regulatory affairs, construction law, health care, insurance, education law, public finance, tax, and corporate and business law.

We emphasize practical legal thinking and consistently focus on helping our clients achieve their objectives and get things done. Many of our attorneys have decades of experience working in government roles, including the State Attorney Generals' Office, Prosecutor's Offices, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, while others worked in-house for Fortune 100 legal departments. The background of our attorneys, combined with our legal and business experience, provides our firm with the ability to offer superior representation to our clients.

As a client-centered firm, we value our relationships with clients and the trust they place in us. We strive to provide legal counsel that is unmatched in expertise, responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness for every client, in every matter, every time.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Pay: From $160,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Land Use Law: 6 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• admission to practice law in NJ (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Paramus, NJ 07652 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Paramus, NJ 07652