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For the past 35 years I’ve had the opportunity to work with visionary clients in transforming dirt into development. I thrive on the constant diversity of my practice, and have the versatility to handle all components of the development process.

Mr. Firkser's practice centers on commercial real estate and financing. He has significant experience in the representation of developers, lenders and government agencies in a variety of business and commercial real estate transactions and municipal law matters.

Mr. Firkser counsels developers and lenders in the acquisition and financing of commercial properties from contract to closing. His work encompasses the negotiation and drafting of contracts, leases, and closing documents, as well as due diligence and the review and analysis of title issues. He assists clients in redevelopment projects and in obtaining financing and incentives through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). 

Mr. Firkser represents developers in obtaining and defending approvals for land development, including industrial, commercial, residential and educational facilities. His experience in this area includes researching ordinances for development potential, preparing and presenting site plan and variance applications, defending approvals from court challenges and appealing denials of applications. He has also presented actions for builders’ remedies for the development of affordable housing. In addition, he has experience in the registration of condominiums and other planned real estate developments with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

As a commercial litigator, Mr. Firkser has handled consumer fraud disputes, condemnation actions, real estate tax appeals, land use and redevelopment matters, title insurance claims, and complex property insurance coverage disputes. He has authored expert reports for community associations engaged in litigation with the sponsors of the communities.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Honors & Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rated AV® Preeminent (a trademark of Internet Brands, Inc.)

Please visit our Award Methodology page for a description of the standard or methodology on which these accolades are based. Attorney Advertising: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Representative Matters

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

  • Represented a meat processing facility in the Bronx, New York with its relocation to New Jersey. This representation included assisting the client in acquiring and financing the purchase of property in Lodi and obtaining development approvals before the local Planning Board. The firm's team also assisted the client in negotiating construction agreements for the new building and obtaining construction and permanent financing, as well as in taking advantage of the Opportunity Zone program and exploring energy efficiency initiatives for the new building.

  • Represented the seller of three retail buildings in Warren County, New Jersey for $16,500,000. The sale was the culmination of a longstanding relationship with the client since 2001 in developing, financing and leasing the buildings to a supermarket, health care facility and a strip shopping center. 

  • Represented a national REIT in the purchase of five industrial buildings and land parcels in Newark, North Bergen and Carlstadt totaling $55 million.
  • Represented two municipalities in the settlement of affordable housing litigation to satisfy the concerns of fair share housing advocates and to address the municipal obligations for affordable housing in compliance hearings in the Superior Court of New Jersey.
  • Represented one of the country’s largest real estate developers in the sale of 24 office and industrial buildings in Moorestown, Burlington County, New Jersey for just under $75 million. The buildings totaled more than 1,000,0000 square feet and were leased to more than 80 tenants
  • Represented a developer in the $365 million sale and leaseback of a commercial office complex
  • Represented a mortgage lender in the $225 million Freddie Mac financing of a portfolio of 30+ properties

  • Represented a leading multinational commercial bank in the sale and leaseback of its 100,000 square foot office building in northern NJ. The bank sold its land interest and entered a lease transaction to continue its operations in half of the space it previously occupied

  • Represented a small business owner in its acquisition of a gasoline service station and convenience store in central NJ. The firm's work on this transaction included determining environmental compliance requirements of the operation, negotiation of a new lease on the property, and obtaining mortgage financing 

  • Representation of clients in six reported and seven unreported court decisions involving land use issues in New Jersey

Uniquely NJ

  • New Jersey State Bar Association; Finance and Operations Committee; Land Use Law Section, Board of Directors
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Presentations & Speaking Engagements

Publications & Alerts

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Education

University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1983

Rutgers University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1980

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey, 1983


Please visit our Award Methodology page for a description of the standard or methodology on which these accolades are based. Attorney Advertising: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.