Newark, NJ — January 20, 2026 — Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW), a leading New Jersey commercial real estate and construction law firm, is pleased to announce the elevation of Thomas S. Garlick to Partner. In connection with his elevation, the firm also announces that Tom will serve as Vice Chair of the Land Use, Zoning & Redevelopment Practice and Chair of the Commercial Landlord‑Tenant Practice, reflecting his integral role in the continued growth of MSW’s statewide real estate platform.

“Tom’s elevation to Partner is a testament to his exceptional legal skill, steady leadership, and unwavering commitment to our clients,” said Chris Murphy, Founding Partner and Chair of the firm’s Land Use, Zoning and Redevelopment practice. “He has become a trusted advisor to developers, property owners, and institutional investors across New Jersey, and his ability to navigate complex land use and zoning matters has made him indispensable to our team.”

In his land use practice, Tom has earned a reputation for being the steady hand behind many of New Jersey’s most challenging development projects, guiding clients from early planning through final approvals with insight and precision. He represents developers, property owners, and institutional investors in all aspects of land use, zoning, and redevelopment, and regularly appears before planning boards, zoning boards, and governmental agencies throughout the state on matters involving residential and multifamily projects, commercial and mixed‑use developments, industrial warehouse developments, and large‑scale redevelopment initiatives. As Vice Chair of the Land Use, Zoning & Redevelopment Practice, Tom oversees workflow and matter management for MSW’s statewide land use practice, ensuring that projects move efficiently and strategically from intake through approval.

As Chair of MSW’s Commercial Landlord‑Tenant Practice, Tom leads a team that provides strategic counsel and aggressive advocacy to commercial landlords, property owners, and property managers throughout New Jersey. His practice focuses exclusively on the complex and often high‑stakes disputes that arise in the commercial leasing context, including lease enforcement actions, commercial evictions for non‑payment and holdover tenancies, breach of contract claims, property damage disputes, and other contested matters. Tom is an experienced litigator and negotiator who represents clients in state and federal courts, and he regularly advises on lease drafting, enforcement strategies, and risk mitigation to help clients protect their investments and avoid future conflicts. His deep understanding of New Jersey’s commercial landlord‑tenant laws, combined with his broader real estate development experience, allows him to deliver practical, results‑oriented solutions across asset classes ranging from industrial properties to shopping centers and office parks.

Before entering private practice, Tom served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Joseph R. Rosa, Jr., J.S.C., at the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen Vicinage. He earned his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Muhlenberg College.

“Tom embodies the values, work ethic, and client‑first mindset that define MSW,” said Matthew Schiller, Founding Partner. “We are proud to welcome him to the partnership and look forward to his continued leadership as we expand our footprint across New Jersey and beyond.”