Michael Higgins is an associate in the firm’s Land Use, Zoning and Redevelopment practice group. He focuses his practice on counseling developers, property owners, and investors in connection with complex real estate development projects throughout New Jersey.

Michael has significant experience guiding clients through all aspects of the land use approval process. He regularly prepares and prosecutes applications for site plan, subdivision, and variance approvals for both ground-up developments and redevelopment projects. He also conducts detailed zoning and land use analyses to assess development potential and advise on acquisition strategy.

In addition to his land use practice, Michael represents clients in a wide range of residential and mixed-use real estate transactions, including contract negotiation, due diligence, and closings. He has experience assisting developers with condominium formation and registration, including the preparation of master deeds, public offering statements, and related regulatory filings. Michael frequently appears before municipal planning boards, zoning boards of adjustment, and historic preservation commissions across New Jersey, and collaborates closely with architects, engineers, and other project professionals to move developments efficiently from concept through approval.

Prior to entering private practice, Michael served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Patricia O’Dowd in the Superior Court of New Jersey, where he gained valuable experience drafting judicial opinions, conducting legal research, and managing a high-volume docket. He also interned for the Honorable Mark T. Janeczko in the Superior Court of New Jersey.

Michael earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School. He received his B.A. in History from Ramapo College of New Jersey.