Education
George Washington University Law School (J.D. 1993)
Emory University (B.A. 1990)
Admissions
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Florida
Mark D. Shapiro, a partner and consummate deal lawyer, leads the firm’s real estate transactional practice. Calm, focused and knowledgeable, Mark has an impressive track record of exceeding client expectations and taking the “worry” out of the deal. Some of the special benefits he brings to his clients include his domination of the subject matter, meticulous attention to detail and his desire to close deals efficiently, effectively and quickly. Once asked why a client chose to work with him instead of another lawyer, Mark said quite simply: Because I care more.
Areas of Practice
Mark’s real estate practice focuses on the purchase, sale, leasing and financing of retail, office, industrial and mixed-use properties. He spends a considerable amount of his time representing multi-family apartment building owners in acquisitions and financings, and retail and office landlords in leasing matters. He also represents property owners in NJ tax appeal matters.
His franchise practice includes counseling regional and national franchisors on franchise structuring, operational, relationship and regulatory issues. He regularly represents buyers and sellers of business assets in a variety of distribution-related industries.
Mark has participated as a program presenter on franchise law for the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising, the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the International Franchise Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He has also presented on real estate law for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and Lorman Education Services. Mark is licensed by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Real Estate Commission as a continuing education instructor for the New Jersey licensed real estate salespersons and brokers. He moderates and teaches continuing education credit programs at Hyland Levin Shapiro to commercial real estate brokers. He served as Chair (2009-2011) and Secretary (1997-1999) of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Franchise Law Committee and has been a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum Committee on Franchise Law since 1996. From January 1997 through December 2000, he served as special tax counsel to Voorhees Township, New Jersey.
Active in the community, Mark was a board member from 2003 to 2020 and served on the Executive Committee from 2005 to 2020 of the Samost Jewish Family & Children’s Service, serving as President from 2012-2014. Mark also sits on the Board of Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, chairing the Planning and Visionary Committee from 2017 to 2020, and served on the Board of the Jewish Community Foundation, Inc. from 2015 to 2020. He chairs Federation’s Zell Leadership Institute program. He co-chairs the Succession Planning Committee and is former chair of Corporate Sponsorships for Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, NJ, where he also serves on its Governance Committee.
Mark is a graduate of Emory University (B.A. 1990) and the George Washington University Law School (J.D. 1993). A former triathlete, he now spends most weekend mornings on the golf course.
A joint venture of two private real estate funds in the refinancing of six Washington-area apartment buildings with Freddie Mac in a $245 million transaction
An Ohio-based developer in connection with the purchase of a Florida shopping center
A private real estate fund in the acquisitions of three apartment complexes in Philadelphia
A multi-brand, multi-unit public company franchisee in quick service restaurant franchise matters across the country
A New York-based investor in connection with the purchase of $20 million of distressed debt on a Florida shopping center
A private real estate fund in the financing of an office complex in Northern New Jersey with a combination of mortgage and mezzanine debt of $79 million
A multi-family investor in the acquisition of a $120 million apartment complex in New Jersey
“The Intersection of Franchise and Real Estate Law,” 41st Annual Forum on Franchising, October 2018
“New Jersey Broker Commission Disputes,” Hyland Levin seminar for Commercial Brokers, April 2013
“Environmental Issues for Brokers,” Hyland Levin seminar for Commercial Brokers, December 2012
“Managing Financially Distressed Franchisees” International Franchise Association, webinar, May 2010
“Purchase, Organization and Sale of Businesses in New Jersey,” December 2008
Facilitator, “When Your Tenant is a Franchisee,” ICSC 2008 U.S. Shopping Center Law Conference, October 2008
“Real Estate Issues in a Franchise Relationship,” International Franchise Association’s Business Solutions Roundtable, May 2008
“Real Estate Issues Peculiar to Franchise Systems,” 11th Annual Real Estate Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, December 2007
“Lease Issues Peculiar to Franchise Systems,” 30th Annual Forum on Franchising, October 2007
Moderator and Speaker, “Protecting Real Estate Interests,” 37th Annual International Franchise Association’s Legal Symposium, May 2004
“Field of Dreams: Controlling the Real Estate,” 26th Annual Forum on Franchising, October 2003
“Real Estate Issues in Franchise Systems,” International Franchise Association’s Business Solutions Roundtable, February 2003
“Franchise Practice & Pitfalls,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, October 2002
“Real Estate Contracts in Pennsylvania,” Lorman Education Services, December 2001
“Practical Solutions to Franchise Conflicts,” International Franchise Association’s Legal Roundtable Series, September 1999
“Hot Topics in Franchise and Distribution Law,” New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, June 1999
“Burlington County Tax Assessment Calendar Change,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP e-Alert, November 2020
“When Will the Rent be Paid? A Commercial Landlord’s Perspective,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP e-Alert, May 2020
“Franchise Lease Rider form,” Blumberg/Excelsior, Inc., November, 2015
“The Lease Rider: An Essential Tool for Franchisors,” New Jersey Law Journal, October 5, 2015
ABA Forum on Franchising Book “Collateral Issues in Franchising, Beyond Registration and Disclosure” Chapter on Real Estate Issues (2014)
“Lease Issues Peculiar to Franchise Systems,” New Jersey Law Journal, June 21, 2004
“So Your Client Wants to Buy a Franchise,” The Legal Intelligencer, May 22, 2002
“Leveling the Playing Field or Obstructing Franchising: A Look at the Proposed Small Business Franchise Act,” The Legal Intelligencer, March 28, 2001
Chambers and Partners USA 2008 – 2018 – Real Estate New Jersey
“AV®” preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell®
Selected twice as a New Jersey Law Journal “40 Under 40” NJ lawyer
International Who’s Who Legal Franchise – 2018-2022
Selected to NJ Super Lawyers List for Real Estate: 2008 – 2011, 2013 – 2021
Selected to NJ Rising Stars List: 2006 – 2007
A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Education
George Washington University Law School (J.D. 1993)
Emory University (B.A. 1990)
Admissions
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Florida