Month: December 2025

Newark, NJ – December 19, 2025 – Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW), a boutique law firm specializing in commercial real estate and construction law, proudly announces that founding partners Chris Murphy and Kellen Murphy have been named to the ROI-NJ Real Estate Influencers list for 2025. The annual feature recognizes more than 200 professionals shaping New Jersey’s real estate landscape through innovation, leadership, and community impact.

As described by ROI-NJ, the Real Estate Influencers list highlights individuals who stand out for their contributions across the industry. From developers and brokers to thought leaders and advocates, honorees are selected for their ability to drive innovation, influence market trends, and foster community engagement. Chris and Kellen exemplify these qualities through their leadership at MSW and their broader impact on the market.

Chris Murphy, chair of MSW’s Land Use, Zoning & Redevelopment group and the firm’s Tax Credits & Incentives group, has been instrumental in securing major land use and zoning approvals throughout New Jersey and in structuring tax credit financing for some of the state’s largest development projects. His leadership has helped position MSW as a trusted advisor to developers and investors navigating complex real estate transactions.

Kellen Murphy, co-founder and managing partner at MSW, has played a pivotal role in structuring commercial real estate transactions for some of the largest deals in the metropolitan area. His experience guiding clients through regulatory and market complexities has earned him recognition as a trusted voice in the industry.

Together, Chris and Kellen have overseen MSW’s growth into a nationally recognized boutique firm, integrating construction law as a co-equal pillar alongside real estate. Their commitment to operational excellence, client-focused solutions, and mentorship of emerging professionals reflects the very qualities celebrated by ROI-NJ’s Real Estate Influencers list.

“We are honored to be included among such an accomplished group of leaders who are shaping the future of New Jersey’s commercial real estate market,” said Chris Murphy. “This recognition reflects not only our individual contributions but also the collective achievements of the entire MSW team.”

“This acknowledgment underscores the importance of innovation and collaboration in driving meaningful change across the industry,” added Kellen Murphy. “We are proud to represent MSW and remain focused on delivering excellence for our clients.”

The inclusion of Chris and Kellen on the ROI-NJ Real Estate Influencers list underscores MSW’s ongoing commitment to advancing the real estate and construction sectors in New Jersey and beyond.

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Newark, NJ – December 8, 2025 – Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW), a boutique law firm specializing in commercial real estate and construction law, is pleased to announce that Ivette M. Vargas has joined the firm as an Associate in its transactional real estate practice.

Ivette brings extensive experience advising clients on acquisitions and dispositions, commercial leasing, and financing matters. She represents landlords, tenants, developers, and investors in complex real estate transactions, including office and retail leasing, purchase and sale transactions, seller-backed financing, and IRC Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges.

Prior to joining MSW, Ms. Vargas practiced in the Commercial Real Estate Department at Winne Banta Basralian & Kahn, P.C., where she handled a wide range of transactional matters and counseled clients on regulatory compliance involving New Jersey retail liquor licenses. She previously served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Judge Steven C. Mannion, U.S.M.J., and Judge Mary C. Jacobson of the New Jersey Superior Court. Earlier in her career, she practiced in the Real Estate, Land Use, and Affordable Housing groups at Hill Wallack LLP.

Ivette earned her J.D. from Rutgers Law School, where she was Managing Articles Editor of the Rutgers Race and the Law Review and a semi-finalist in the Hunter Moot Court competition, receiving the Best Brief Award. She received her B.A. in Sociology, with a minor in Latin American Studies, from Temple University.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ivette to MSW,” said Chris J. Murphy, a founding partner of MSW. “Her strong background in transactional real estate and her commitment to client service make her an excellent addition to our growing team. Ivette’s experience will further strengthen our ability to deliver sophisticated, practical solutions to clients across the commercial real estate industry.”

Ms. Vargas is fluent in Spanish and is an active member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Bergen County Bar Association, and the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey. She has spoken on issues of diversity and inclusion, including her presentation “Implicit Bias and Micro-Aggressions: Their Effect on Law Firm Culture and Success” for NACLE.

Newark, NJ — December 15, 2025 — Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW), a leading boutique law firm specializing in commercial real estate and construction law, is pleased to announce that Andrew M. Hansen has joined the firm as an associate in its Litigation and Construction Law practice groups.

Andrew brings significant experience representing developers, contractors, property owners, and businesses in complex disputes involving commercial real estate and construction projects. He has managed a broad portfolio of litigation matters from inception through resolution, including mediations, arbitrations, depositions, and dispositive motion practice. His background includes litigating breach of contract claims tied to large-scale real estate holdings and advising clients on issues such as construction performance, valuation of services, and related commercial disputes.

“We are thrilled to welcome Andrew to MSW,” said Anthony Capasso, chair of the firm’s Litigation and Construction Law practice groups. “His litigation experience and ability to deliver practical solutions for clients in the real estate and construction sectors make him an excellent addition to our growing team. Andrew’s skills and dedication align perfectly with our mission to provide sophisticated, client-focused representation.”

Andrew earned his J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and his B.A. in International Relations from Syracuse University. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.