Category: Events

Newark, NJ – November 17, 2025 – Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW), a leading boutique law firm specializing in commercial real estate and construction law, is pleased to announce that Benjamin L. Lindeman has joined the firm as Counsel. Ben will practice in the firm’s Land Use, Zoning & Redevelopment and Commercial Landlord-Tenant groups, further strengthening MSW’s multidisciplinary platform serving developers, property owners, investors, and lenders across New Jersey and beyond.

With nearly a decade of experience navigating complex regulatory and transactional matters, Ben represents clients in land use and zoning applications, redevelopment projects, and real estate transactions involving both residential and commercial properties. He also brings significant experience advising and litigating on behalf of public entities, including municipalities, zoning boards, planning boards, and utility authorities.

In MSW’s Commercial Landlord-Tenant practice, Ben provides strategic counsel to landlords, property owners, and managers throughout New Jersey. His work includes lease enforcement actions, commercial evictions, lease disputes, property damage claims, and breach of contract cases. Drawing on his litigation background, Ben delivers practical, results-oriented solutions, whether through negotiation, settlement, or assertive litigation in state and federal courts. He also advises on lease drafting and risk mitigation strategies to help clients safeguard long-term financial goals.

“Ben’s deep knowledge of redevelopment law and his dual experience representing both private and public sector clients make him a tremendous asset to our firm and our clients,” said Chris J. Murphy, a founding partner of the firm. “His addition reflects MSW’s continued commitment to hiring the best and brightest attorneys.”

Prior to joining MSW, Ben practiced at several New Jersey law firms, where he developed a broad background in redevelopment law, municipal counseling, and property-related litigation. He also served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Mark P. Ciarrocca, J.S.C., in the Superior Court of New Jersey.

Ben is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and is active in the Morris County Bar Association, where he serves as Co-Chair of the Municipal Law Committee and as a Trustee of both the Association and its Foundation. He has also served his community as a member of the Long Hill Township Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Long Hill Township Recreation Committee.

A lifelong New Jerseyan, Ben earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, his M.A. in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and his B.A. in History and Political Science from Rutgers University. He lives in Basking Ridge with his wife, Alyssa, and their two sons, Miles and Caleb.

Murphy Schiller and Wilkes LLP (MSW) is proud to have represented the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in connection with securing a $65M award under the Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) tax credit program at this morning’s New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Board meeting in Trenton.

For over 30 years, MPAC has energized the greater Morristown region, welcoming over 240,000 patrons and students annually, presenting 300+ shows across genres and delivering impactful education opportunities. MPAC’s Arts in the Community program offers free events and its Performing Arts School, home to The Miracle Project, serves 35,000 students a year, ensuring access for all.

The CAFE tax credit award will enable this transformational project that will greatly expand MPAC’s Arts & Education Center, increase classroom capacity, add a new flexible studio and auditorium space, and restore their historic 1,300-seat theater.

Congratulations to Allison Larena and the entire MPAC team on being one of the first CAFE awards!

To help MPAC continue this vital work of advancing community arts education and engagement, please consider making a gift of any size.

Click here to donate: https://www.mayoarts.org/support/

Newark, NJ – November 11, 2025 – Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW), a boutique law firm serving the commercial real estate and construction industries, is pleased to announce that Jacqueline N. Candella has joined the firm as an Associate in its Litigation and Construction Law practice groups.

Jacqueline brings to MSW a diverse litigation background with experience representing clients in complex financial, regulatory, and commercial disputes. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced with a New York-based boutique law firm specializing in securities arbitration and litigation, where she represented investors and financial professionals in matters before FINRA, the SEC, and other regulatory bodies.

“Jacqueline’s experience handling complex commercial litigation matters makes her a tremendous addition to our team,” said Anthony Capasso, Partner and Chair of the firm’s Litigation and Construction Law practice groups. “Her analytical skillset and hands-on experience with complex disputes will further strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional results for clients across the commercial real estate and construction sectors.”

Jacqueline earned her Juris Doctor from New York Law School, where she received a Dean’s Merit Scholarship and held leadership roles in the Legal Association for Women and Moot Court Association. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Pace University. She is admitted to practice in New York.

MSW attorneys regularly negotiate complex operating and partnership agreements that govern the ownership and management of major real estate and business assets.

MSW represents real estate investors and businesses on significant corporate matters, including corporate, limited liability company and partnership formations, stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions, franchise matters and joint venture agreements. Our attorneys have experience in negotiating, structuring, documenting, and closing acquisitions across multiple jurisdictions and industries.

Practice Group Leader:

Kellen Murphy
Managing Partner
Phone: (973) 705-7420
Email: kmurphy@murphyllp.com

Newark, NJ – Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW) is pleased to announce that Michael E. Silbert has joined the firm as Counsel in its Land Use, Zoning and Redevelopment Practice Group.

Michael focuses his practice on land use, zoning, redevelopment, and real estate law throughout New Jersey. He represents private developers across the state, providing comprehensive counsel on all stages of the land development process—from initial due diligence and planning through project approvals and post-approval implementation. His clients include large-scale commercial, industrial, and multifamily developers, as well as applicants pursuing rezonings, subdivisions, and residential variance approvals.

Michael has extensive experience guiding clients through major redevelopment projects from inception to completion, including preliminary planning, the adoption of redevelopment plans, site plan approvals, and the negotiation of financial and redevelopment agreements pursuant to New Jersey’s Local Redevelopment and Housing Law and the Long Term Tax Exemption Law. He frequently negotiates Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements and advises clients on affordable housing compliance and long-term strategic planning.

Prior to joining MSW, Michael practiced at DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kunzman, Davis, Lehrer & Flaum, P.C., where he represented both private developers and public municipal entities. His dual experience provides him with a unique perspective on the development process and municipal operations from both sides of the table. He continues to appear before numerous land use boards and governing bodies across New Jersey and has experience handling land use prerogative writ litigation.

Active in the professional community, Michael serves on the Board of Directors of the Land Use Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, where he is in the first year of a three-year term. In 2024, he was recognized by the Somerset County Business Partnership as one of its Top 40 Under 40 award recipients, honoring young professionals for leadership and community impact.

Michael earned his Juris Doctor degree with a concentration in Real Estate from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he achieved top honors in national negotiation competitions and served as Senior Editor of the Cardozo Alternative Dispute Resolution Competition Honor Society. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Political Science from Franklin & Marshall College.

“Michael brings a tremendous level of energy, talent, and insight to our growing statewide land use and redevelopment practice,” said Kellen F. Murphy, Managing Partner of Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP. “His experience representing developers throughout New Jersey makes him an exceptional addition to the firm and a valuable resource for our clients.”

Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW) announced today that Anthony J. Passela has joined the firm as an Associate in the Litigation and Construction Law practice groups, and Julie Prelich has joined as a Paralegal supporting the Land Use, Zoning & Redevelopment and Tax Credits & Incentives practice groups.

Anthony represents owners, developers, contractors, and other stakeholders in complex commercial and construction disputes. He brings hands-on courtroom experience in insurance defense litigation and trial-level civil practice, including bench trials, court conferences, and settlement negotiations. He has conducted and defended depositions of parties and non-party witnesses, regularly prepares dispositive motions and discovery, and advises clients on practical risk mitigation strategies designed to prevent and efficiently resolve disputes.

Before joining MSW, Anthony practiced at a New York litigation boutique, where he represented clients across a broad range of civil matters from pre-suit investigation through trial preparation. He previously served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Kelly D. Eckel of the Delaware County (Pennsylvania) Court of Common Pleas, preparing bench memoranda and draft orders in real estate, contract, medical malpractice, and other civil disputes. While in law school, he was the Managing Editor of Research and Writing for the Villanova Law Review.

Anthony earned his J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and his B.A., magna cum laude, in Economics and Political Science with a Minor in Business from Villanova University. He is admitted to practice in New York.

Julie supports attorneys through all phases of complex development, entitlement, and incentive work with an operations-driven approach to diligence, document management, and stakeholder coordination. She helps streamline application packages, track multi-agency filings, and maintain responsive communication among clients, consultants, and municipal bodies. Her background includes high-volume transactional experience and rigorous workflow execution.

Prior to joining MSW, Julie served as a transactional paralegal at a leading New York City-based law firm, where she managed a portfolio exceeding 250 matters. In that role, she analyzed settlements, decisions, government records, and policy contracts; drafted briefs, memoranda, proposed decisions, correspondence, and financial forms; and coordinated submissions to federal agencies. She began her legal career in the New Jersey Superior Court, Family Division (New Brunswick), as a Judiciary Clerk, where she handled intake for dissolution and non-dissolution dockets, reviewed filings for jurisdiction and completeness, assigned cases, and maintained accurate records across multiple court databases in time-sensitive, confidential environments.

Julie holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a B.A. in Political Science, with a Minor in Critical Intelligence, from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – New Brunswick.

With these additions, MSW further strengthens its capacity to advise clients across the full lifecycle of development and litigation matters, combining strategic advocacy with disciplined execution to advance client objectives efficiently and effectively.

The third quarter of 2025 started off strong for the attorneys at Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW). The firm acted as lead counsel in connection with the acquisition and sale of properties in all asset classes, helped our clients negotiate significant lease transactions, represented both lenders and borrowers in connection with financing CRE deals, both locally and nationally, and secured noteworthy approvals for major industrial, multi-family, and retail projects throughout New Jersey.

In Q3 2025, the firm represented the following:

• National bank in connection with the modification of a $125,000,000 revolving line of credit for a New Jersey-based company.
• Developer in connection with the joint venture and the land acquisition for $87,000,000 development project in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
• National bank in connection with a $40,000,000 refinance of a Bergen County, New Jersey retail property.
• Seller in connection with the $23,750,000 sale of Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Wichita, Kansas.
• New Jersey bank in connection with a $19,000,000 acquisition financing of a catering facility in New Jersey.
• Borrower in connection with $18,250,000 refinancing of luxury hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.
• Developer in connection with $14,100,000 purchase and financing of office building in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey.
• Developer in connection with a $13,000,000 acquisition of development site in Middlesex County, New Jersey.
• Lender in connection with $10,850,000 loan in connection with purchase money financing of shopping center in Syracuse, New York.
• New Jersey bank in connection with a $4,400,000 acquisition financing of two net leased properties in Tampa, Florida.
• Tenant in connection with lease agreement for 10,500 square foot facility for launch of state-of-the-art athletic performance and training center in Cranford, New Jersey.
• Developer in connection with land use approvals for a 6-story, 75-unit multifamily building in Newark, New Jersey.
• Developer in connection with land use approvals for 25,000 square foot warehouse building in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

MSW takes a comprehensive approach to ensure our clients can take advantage of the vast array of tax credits and incentives available through state and local agencies.

Tax credits and incentives play a key role in spurring real estate development and facilitating the financial success of even the most challenging real estate development projects.

Since the enactment of the Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA), MSW has been at the forefront of helping clients take advantage of newly created programs administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), including tax credits available under the following programs:

• Aspire Tax Credit Program
• Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program
• Food Desert Relief Supermarket Tax Credit Program
• Historic Property Reinvestment Program
• Film and Digital Medial Tax Credit Program

MSW leverages our team’s collective experience in state government, policy making, investment banking, and real estate development to advise clients on a wide range of tax credit and incentive programs, at both the state and local levels. We strive to determine the option that is best suited for a development project, maximizing potential returns. Our diverse backgrounds allow us to cut through the misinformation and misinterpretations and advise our clients from a position of actual experience.

On the local level, MSW also advises clients in identifying and mitigating real property tax implications for redevelopment projects, including seeking property tax abatements and exemptions available under New Jersey’s Long Term Tax Exemption (LTTE) Law. Our firm has years of experience helping clients secure both 5-year abatements and 30-year payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) for projects located throughout New Jersey.

Practice Group Leaders:

Chris Murphy
Chair, Land Use, Zoning and Redevelopment
Phone: (973) 705-7421
Email: cmurphy@murphyllp.com

Brendyn Pytka
Director of Tax Credits & Incentives
Phone: (862)-418-3702
Email: bpytka@murphyllp.com

Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW) is proud to announce that Susan C. Karp, counsel, has been included as a top attorney in the area of Environmental Law in the 32nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

The Best Lawyers in America was first published in 1983. Since then, the same tried and tested peer-review process has been used consistently for more than 40 years. The core mission of Best Lawyers is to highlight the top legal talent in America.

For more information, please click here: https://www.bestlawyers.com/america