Month: June 2026

Newark, New Jersey – Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (“MSW”) is pleased to announce the addition of four attorneys, including two partners and two associates, as the firm continues its strategic growth and commitment to delivering exceptional client service to the commercial real estate and construction industries.

The incoming attorneys bring significant experience in commercial real estate, construction, and land use, further enhancing MSW’s ability to serve developers, investors, lenders, contractors, and other industry stakeholders throughout the region.

Joining the firm as partners are Daniel T. Perlman and Eric Alvarez.

Daniel Perlman focuses his practice on commercial real estate and corporate matters, bringing more than 25 years of legal and business experience. He represents a broad range of clients, including developers, property owners, investors, institutional banks, private lenders, and corporate entities, in complex transactions involving acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and financing. Mr. Perlman also advises on mortgage, construction, and asset-based lending. In addition to his legal career, he has founded and operated multiple businesses, providing clients with practical, business-oriented counsel. He previously practiced at Sills Cummis & Gross and co-founded Foley Perlman & Campbell.

Eric Alvarez is a partner in the firm’s litigation practice, where he handles complex commercial litigation, real estate disputes, construction litigation, and land use matters. With more than a decade of experience, he represents developers, property owners, contractors, and other construction industry professionals in high-stakes matters across state and federal courts and arbitration forums. His background includes in-house counsel experience with a major developer, providing him with a uniquely practical perspective in resolving disputes.

The firm also welcomes associates Paige M. Guarino and Michael Higgins, further strengthening the firm’s transactional and land use capabilities.

Paige Guarino focuses on commercial real estate and finance, representing landowners, tenants, lenders, borrowers, and developers in complex transactions across a wide range of commercial asset classes. Her experience includes drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, leases, and related real estate documents, as well as managing transactions across multiple jurisdictions.

Michael Higgins joins the firm’s Land Use, Zoning and Redevelopment practice, where he advises developers and property owners on approvals, zoning analyses, and development strategy. He has experience guiding clients through site plan and variance approvals and regularly appears before municipal boards throughout New Jersey.

“These additions reflect our continued focus on thoughtful, strategic growth in the commercial real estate and construction sectors,” said Chris J. Murphy, a founding partner, executive committee member, and chair of the firm’s Land Use, Zoning and Redevelopment practice. “Dan and Eric expand our senior bench with seasoned practitioners who bring both technical excellence and practical business judgment, while Paige and Michael add depth to our next generation of talent. Together, they enhance our ability to deliver sophisticated, efficient, and results-driven counsel to clients in these industries.”

The expansion underscores MSW’s commitment to building a high-quality, multidisciplinary team capable of handling increasingly complex real estate and construction related matters for its clients.

Newark, New Jersey – Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW) is pleased to announce that Michael Higgins has joined the firm as an associate in its Land Use, Zoning and Redevelopment practice group.

Michael focuses his practice on representing developers, property owners, and investors in connection with complex real estate development projects throughout New Jersey. He has experience guiding clients through all phases of the land use approval process, including obtaining site plan, subdivision, and variance approvals for both ground-up developments and redevelopment projects.

“Michael’s significant experience and strong understanding of municipal approval processes, makes him a valuable addition to our team,” said Chris J. Murphy, Chair of the firm’s Land Use, Zoning and Redevelopment practice group. “We are excited to welcome him to the firm and look forward to his contributions to our growing practice.”

In addition to his land use work, Michael represents clients in residential and mixed-use real estate transactions, handling contract negotiation, due diligence, and closings. He has also assisted developers with condominium formation and registration, including the preparation of master deeds, public offering statements, and related filings. Michael regularly appears before planning and zoning boards and collaborates closely with project professionals to advance developments from acquisition through approval.

Prior to joining the firm, Michael served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Patricia O’Dowd in the Superior Court of New Jersey, where he gained experience drafting opinions, conducting legal research, and managing a high-volume docket.

Michael earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School and his B.A. in History from Ramapo College of New Jersey. He is admitted to practice in the State of New Jersey.

Newark, New Jersey – Murphy Schiller & Wilkes (MSW) is pleased to announce that Eric Alvarez has joined the firm as a Partner in its Litigation practice group.

Eric brings more than a decade of experience representing clients in complex commercial litigation, with a particular focus on real estate disputes, construction litigation, and land use matters. He has extensive experience advising developers, property owners, contractors, architects, and engineers in high-stakes matters across New Jersey and New York courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings.

“Eric is a tremendous addition to our litigation team,” said Anthony Capasso, Chair of the firm’s Litigation practice and Executive Committee Member. “His deep understanding of the real estate development process, combined with his strong litigation background, enables him to deliver practical and strategic solutions for our clients. We are excited to welcome him to the firm.”

Eric regularly counsels clients on all phases of real estate development and construction projects, including construction defects, delay claims, contract disputes, professional liability issues, and title and easement matters. He also has significant experience in land use and prerogative writ litigation, representing developers and property owners in challenges to municipal zoning, planning, and redevelopment decisions.

In addition to his legal practice, Eric brings valuable perspective through his service on his municipality’s zoning board, where he has served for more than five years.

Prior to joining MSW, Eric served as in-house counsel for one of New Jersey’s largest developers and practiced at Am Law 100 firms. His diverse background allows him to offer clients practical, business-oriented advice tailored to their objectives.

Eric expressed enthusiasm about joining the firm, stating, “I am thrilled to join Murphy Schiller & Wilkes and collaborate with such a talented team. MSW has built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional client service, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued growth and success.”

Eric is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York, as well as multiple federal courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the District of New Jersey, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuits. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” and named to New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars for Commercial Litigation.

Newark, NJ – MSW is pleased to announce the arrival of two Summer Associates, Hetvi Shah and Gianna Mancuso, who will support the firm’s Transactional Real Estate, Litigation, and Construction Law practice groups.

Hetvi Shah joins MSW’s Transactional Real Estate practice. She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at Seton Hall University School of Law, where she ranks in the top 21% of her class. Hetvi brings valuable experience in zoning, land use, redevelopment, and contract drafting through her role as a Real Estate Legal Intern with LeFrak Real Estate Group.

Prior to law school, Hetvi earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from York University, where she was named to the Dean’s Honor List each semester.

Gianna Mancuso joins the firm working with both the Litigation and Construction Law practice groups. She is also pursuing her Juris Doctor at Seton Hall University School of Law, where she ranks in the top 12% of her class. Gianna has developed practical legal experience assisting with client intake, estate planning documents, and case support through her work with Birdsall, Laughlin, & Clark LLC, where she has served as both a Legal Assistant Intern and Law Clerk.

Gianna earned her Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Human Rights from Marymount Manhattan College, where she graduated as Valedictorian with a perfect GPA. She also holds an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Ocean County College.

“We are excited to welcome Hetvi and Gianna to MSW this summer,” said Chris J. Murphy, a Founding Partner and Executive Committee Member of the firm. “Their academic achievements and hands-on experience already reflect a strong commitment to the legal profession, and we look forward to their contributions to our team.”

MSW’s Summer Associate Program provides law students with meaningful exposure to the firm’s practice areas, mentorship from experienced attorneys, and hands-on involvement in client matters.

Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW) is pleased to announce that Paige M. Guarino has joined the firm as an Associate in its Transactional Real Estate practice.

Paige focuses her practice on commercial real estate and finance matters, representing landowners, tenants, lenders, borrowers, and developers in a wide range of complex transactions across asset classes, including office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use developments. Her experience includes drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, leases, licenses, and property management agreements.

Prior to joining MSW, Paige worked at both national and boutique firms, where she handled complex commercial real estate transactions across multiple jurisdictions for regional and institutional clients.

Paige earned her J.D. from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and her B.A. from Washington College. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York, as well as before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

“We are excited to welcome Paige to MSW,” said Kellen F. Murphy, Managing Partner and Executive Committee Member. “Her experience across a broad range of real estate transactions strengthens our ability to serve clients in today’s dynamic market.”

Newark, New Jersey, June 8, 2026 – Murphy Schiller & Wilkes (MSW), a nationally recognized boutique law firm representing the commercial real estate and construction industries, is pleased to announce that Daniel T. Perlman has joined the firm as a partner in its transactional practice.

Dan focuses his practice on commercial real estate and corporate matters, bringing more than twenty-five years of legal and business experience. He represents a diverse client base that includes developers, property owners, investors, institutional banks, private lenders, and domestic and international corporate entities. His practice encompasses all aspects of real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, condominium formations, and commercial leasing, as well as corporate finance matters such as mortgage, construction, and asset-based lending and borrowing.

“Dan is a tremendous addition to our firm,” said Kellen F. Murphy, Managing Partner of MSW. “His depth of experience in complex real estate and financing transactions, combined with his practical business perspective, aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering strategic, results-oriented counsel to our clients.”

Prior to joining MSW, Dan held a similar position at Sills Cummis & Gross and was a founding member and managing partner of Foley Perlman & Campbell, a full-service law firm with offices in New York and New Jersey. He began his legal career as a judicial law clerk to Edwin H. Stern, then Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey and subsequently practiced with McDermott Will & Emery and Reed Smith.

In addition to his legal career, Dan has owned, operated, and successfully exited private ventures in the retail and technology sectors, giving him a unique, business-oriented perspective in advising clients.

“I am excited to join Murphy Schiller & Wilkes and collaborate with such a talented and entrepreneurial team,” said Perlman. “The firm’s platform and client-focused approach provide an excellent environment to continue serving clients on sophisticated real estate and corporate transactions.”

Dan earned his Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School (Newark) and a Bachelor of Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

The federal move on cannabis is not merely a policy shift. For land use, zoning, and real estate in New Jersey, it changes what property is worth and who will finance it. But it did not arrive the way most people expected, and that gap is where the opportunity lives.

Here is what actually happened. On April 23, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a final order, effective April 28, moving two narrow categories to Schedule III: marijuana in FDA-approved drug products, and marijuana subject to a state medical license. Everything else, including the adult-use market that dominates New Jersey’s industry, stays in Schedule I for now. A new expedited DEA hearing on rescheduling all cannabis begins June 29, 2026, and the April order is expected to draw legal challenges.

So we are on two tracks. Medical is through the door. Adult-use is standing at it. The track a parcel sits on determines what it is worth today versus what it could be worth by autumn.

The Land Use Impact

For years, federal prohibition cast a cloud over every cannabis land use application. Boards and neighbors pointed to federal illegality as grounds to oppose or delay. Rescheduling weakens that argument, decisively for medical and directionally for the rest, meaning fewer pretextual objections and stronger footing for site plans, variances, and conditional use approvals.

Municipal posture will follow the economics. Towns that adopted bans did so when the federal stance was hostile and the numbers looked ugly. As stabilized operators generate local revenue and reuse derelict buildings, expect a new wave of ordinance amendments, overlay districts, and redevelopment designations for uses that were once too politically risky.

Financing Doors Are Opening – on a Timeline

This is the game-changer, but it is sequenced, not instantaneous.

What opens now: For state-licensed medical operators, Section 280E is gone. That provision barred cannabis businesses from deducting ordinary expenses, taxing them on gross rather than net income. Congressional and industry analyses have estimated the resulting effective federal rate could reach as high as 70 to 80 percent. New Jersey operators already had state-level relief, since the state decoupled from 280E in 2023, so the federal change stacks on top of an existing benefit and makes the economics genuinely workable. Remove that federal burden and medical economics transform overnight – which is what conventional capital has waited for. Expect easier depository relationships, plausible acquisition and construction financing for medical-anchored real estate instead of all-cash and hard-money deals, and maturing net-lease and sale-leaseback structures.

What opens if the broad reclassification clears: The June 29 hearing is the gate to the larger thaw. If adult-use moves to Schedule III, the whole asset class re-rates, REITs and institutional capital gain a path in, cost of capital compresses, and conventional mortgage products come into reach. Whether agencies like the SBA follow suit will depend on updated policy guidance that has not yet been issued, but the predicate legal barrier falls away. One caveat for New Jersey’s many dual medical and adult-use dispensaries: it remains unsettled how 280E applies to a combined operation, and the IRS has issued no 2026 guidance. That ambiguity directly affects how to underwrite a tenant.

The land use effect is the same on both tracks: reasonably priced capital funds new construction, adaptive reuse of vacant industrial space and dead retail, and redevelopment-area development. Shelved projects get revisited. Sites that could not be capitalized for cannabis start to pencil out, medical first, then adult-use as the hearing resolves.

Why New Jersey Moves Fast

The CREAMM Act already gives the state a mature licensing and land use structure. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission has clear site suitability rules, and many municipalities have local cannabis zoning in place. Operators here do not need to build infrastructure from scratch; they can capitalize on expanded opportunity within an existing framework. Towns that opted in have a track record of approvals. Those that opted out face growing pressure to revisit positions that were never intended to be permanent.

Where the Friction Stays

Rescheduling is not legalization. Schedule III is still a controlled substance, the broad reclassification is unresolved pending June 29 and possible litigation, and interstate commerce remains closed. At the end of every analysis sits the gating item it has always been: local zoning discretion. A favorable federal posture does not entitle anyone to a variance. Treat anyone who characterizes this as a finished deal with caution.

The Bottom Line

If you own industrial, commercial, or mixed-use property in New Jersey, this moment should prompt a fresh look at highest and best use. Get site control before the re-rating, conduct your zoning due diligence early, separate medical-ready positions from adult-use-pending ones, and build your capital stack with June 29 on the calendar.

Rescheduling is the beginning of cannabis real estate becoming a conventional asset class. Those who move strategically now will capture outsized value. Those who wait for full legalization will find the opportunities already absorbed.

Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW) works with property owners, operators, and developers across New Jersey on land use approvals, zoning strategy, and cannabis real estate positioning. If you are evaluating a site and want to understand which track it sits on and what the next ninety days could mean, please contact us. Clients who move before June 29 will be the ones holding the right sites at the right basis when the rest of the market catches up.