The firm’s Business law group provides a comprehensive package of legal services to our clients. Some of our attorneys handle transactions and are considered “deal” lawyers; others serve as outside general counsel to national and international companies headquartered in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Our lawyers are problem solvers and “big picture” strategic thinkers.
4957150 Litigation Group Litigation /practice-areas/LitigationOur Litigation group possesses extensive experience representing individuals and businesses in a broad variety of matters in state and federal court, before administrative agencies, and in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. We value attention to detail and appreciate how critical it is to efficiently protect our clients’ interests in any litigation.
4957153 Real Estate Group Real Estate /practice-areas/real-estateThe firm’s Real Estate group handles a broad variety of matters, representing developers, borrowers, investors and lenders in all types of asset classes. Our real estate lawyers think creatively and provide practical advice, based on deep experience.
4957156 Succession Planning, Trusts and Estates Group Succession Planning, Trusts and Estates /practice-areas/succession-planning-trusts-and-estatesOur Succession Planning, Trusts and Estates group assists individuals and families in connection with estate planning, financial and tax planning services, family business succession planning and charitable giving. We work with executors and beneficiaries to efficiently administer estates, and we advise corporate and individual trustees and other fiduciaries on issues involving trusts, estates, family settlement agreements and other related actions. In the event litigation is necessary, we provide legal representation in connection with any disputes.
4957134 Business-Business Operations and Counseling Business Operations and Counseling /practice-areas/business-operations-and-counseling 4957132Our Business law group advises a large variety of commercial enterprises in diverse industries. We represent companies in all stages of governance, management and operations, including start-up companies, established businesses and entities in transition. Our work includes:
Our Business law attorneys work closely with our real estate, estate planning and tax lawyers to provide a comprehensive approach to organizational structure and succession planning issues.
We also draft and negotiate almost every conceivable form used in the operations of most manufacturing, distribution and service businesses, including:
Hyland Levin has experience handling complex shareholder, member, and asset acquisition transactions, mergers and dispositions. Our corporate transactional practice includes:
Hyland Levin Shapiro’s Food and Beverage Law Group is an inter-disciplinary legal team with specific knowledge of and experience in the food and beverage industry. Our attorneys provide a wide range of legal services and support to clients on operational, contractual, regulatory and business matters. Our experience includes:
Our franchise and distribution clients vary from start-up franchise and distribution systems to large private and public multi-national companies. We also regularly advise private investors contemplating franchise and distribution system investment opportunities.
Our franchise law counseling and compliance work includes:
Our distribution and licensing law practice includes:
Our attorneys are experienced appellate practitioners and have handled numerous civil and criminal appellate matters in state and federal court. Our litigators excel at oral argument in the appellate setting, and our written submissions are meticulously prepared. We have represented businesses and individuals in appellate matters in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Arkansas.
7824003 Litigation-Bankruptcy Litigation Bankruptcy Litigation /practice-areas/Bankruptcy-Litigation 4957150Our Bankruptcy, Workouts and Creditor’s Rights practice group routinely represents clients in bankruptcy cases, including negotiation and litigation of disputed claims and appearing in contested and adversary proceedings. We advise and represent clients’ interests in cash collateral and debtor-in-possession financing proceedings unique to the bankruptcy court forum. The litigation strategies developed by our attorneys are tailored to each client’s specific interests and the circumstances of each different case.
4957133 Litigation-Business Litigation Business Litigation /practice-areas/business-litigation 4957150Our litigators aggressively represent our clients’ legal interests and focus on results so they can tend to their business. We regularly handle disputes arising out of:
Our litigators represent owners, developers, general contractors, and all tiers of subcontractors in a range of commercial construction disputes. As active members of trade associations and state bar associations, we are at the forefront of issues facing the construction community. We have extensive experience handling an array of construction litigation issues, including construction defect claims, scope of work disputes, delay and inefficiency claims, professional negligence claims, mechanic's liens, bid protests, and procurement matters. We have represented small and minority businesses facing scrutiny in connection with the award of set-aside contracts.
8005600 Litigation-Criminal Defense and White Collar Investigations Criminal Defense and White Collar Investigations /practice-areas/litigation-criminal-defense-and-white-collar-investigations 4957150Our attorneys have represented businesses and individuals in internal and government investigations and through all stages of criminal litigation. We have represented targets and witnesses in a range of state and federal proceedings involving, among others, false claims in public contracting, health care fraud, bank fraud, embezzlement, public corruption, money laundering, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations. We have handled subpoenas and counseled clients from various industries, including medical device manufacturers, pharmacies, distributors, and construction companies, as well as individuals associated with the entities. We also represent individuals who are facing charges in street crime cases, including conspiracy, reckless manslaughter, assault, endangering, and distribution. Some of our best successes involve matters that are resolved before they ever rise to the level of formal charges.
4957140 Litigation-Employee Terminations / Enforcement of Covenants Employee Terminations / Enforcement of Covenants /practice-areas/employee-terminations-enforcement-of-covenants 4957150Our Litigation group handles matters that can jeopardize an entire business and the owner’s livelihood. Examples of such issues are:
We understand the importance of timely action with respect to terminations of relationships. Our Litigation group has represented numerous entities seeking immediate injunctive relief in Court and the subsequent pursuit of damages when appropriate. We regularly handle matters involving:
Our real estate litigators have significant experience and a reputation for excellence in:
We serve as outside general counsel for many condominium and homeowner associations. Given ongoing relationships with residents and vendors, we assist our clients with day-to-day issues that frequently arise. Our lawyers are skilled at applying a practical approach when needed. Below is a list of the services we provide for our clients:
We also have significant experience in handling transition matters to successful conclusion. When control shifts from the developer to the unit owners, we appreciate the challenges for members of the board, and we provide the experience and support needed for associations to work their way through this process. We are “in the trenches” with our associations every step of the way. Our firm analyzes whether the developer and contractors complied with their obligations with respect to construction, establishment of reserves and assessments. We aggressively pursue claims to address construction defects and related damages and, if appropriate, develop creative solutions to resolve the claims.
4957139 Real Estate-Eminent Domain Eminent Domain /practice-areas/eminent-domain 4957153Our Real Estate group handles condemnation matters on behalf of condemning authorities, property owners and tenants. We assist our clients with:
Our environmental law practice covers a wide spectrum of issues relating to our clients' use, acquisition, development and disposition of real property, such as:
Our clients’ projects have included diverse projects such as nuclear electric generating facilities, quarries, dams, marinas, golf courses, shopping centers, medical facilities, day care centers and houses of worship.
4957151 Real Estate-Multifamily Multifamily /practice-areas/Multifamily 4957153Our Real Estate group has significant experience representing rental and for-sale housing owners, developers and private equity investors in multifamily transactions in New Jersey and nationwide.
We represent owners, developers and investors in connection with all aspects of multifamily transactions, including:
We also regularly represent owners in acquisition financings and re-financings, including financings with qualified lenders providing funding through the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs. We routinely prepare, negotiate, issue and deliver legal opinions on formation, authority, execution and delivery and enforceability matters, as well as providing non-consolidation opinions for securitized transactions.
Given our experience, we are skilled at closing multi-property, multi-jurisdictional transactions in an efficient, focused and timely manner.
4957152 Real Estate-Property Taxation Property Taxation /practice-areas/property-taxation 4957153We represent all types of property owners in challenges to real property tax assessments before County Boards of Taxation and the New Jersey Tax Court. The deadline for contesting a tax assessment in New Jersey is generally April 1 of the current tax year.
We also work with developers to negotiate the assessments on new development projects. We routinely advise buyers, sellers and foreclosing lenders on realty transfer fee issues. Our attorneys also provide property valuation counseling and litigation advice to partnerships, limited liability companies and other entities involved in valuing real property and interests in the entities that own real property, including for succession and gifting purposes.
4957155 Real Estate-Real Estate Leasing Real Estate Leasing /practice-areas/real-estate-leasing 4957153Our Real Estate group has extensive experience in retail, industrial, commercial and office leasing in New Jersey and nationwide.
We represent both landlords and tenants and believe that our appreciation of the issues from both viewpoints allows us to expedite negotiations and pragmatically resolve issues to achieve a prompt and efficient finalization and execution of a mutually acceptable lease.
4957157 Real Estate-Transactional Real Estate and Finance Transactional Real Estate and Finance /practice-areas/transactional-real-estate-and-finance 4957153Our Real Estate group assists local, regional and national developers, owners and investors in all stages of the development process, from land acquisition through permanent financing.
We regularly draft and negotiate:
Our practice includes handling transactions involving vacant land, residential, healthcare, office, hotel, special purpose, industrial, shopping center, retail and multi-family properties, of all sizes, in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and nationwide.
We also have extensive experience representing both borrowers and lenders in a variety of financing transactions, including:
Members of the Real Estate transactional group also work with attorneys in our Succession Planning, Trusts and Estates group, as well as our Litigation group, to provide clients with coordinated, business-minded legal advice and practical solutions.
4957159 Real Estate-Zoning and Land Use Zoning and Land Use /practice-areas/zoning-and-land-use 4957153The firm’s land use practice is almost exclusively applicant-based representation on behalf of national, regional and local clients on a recurring basis. We regularly assist our clients in obtaining all required development approvals and permits, including:
When necessary, we will also undertake challenges to the denial of development applications and defend approvals and permits obtained when appealed by objectors.
4957135 Succession Planning, Trusts And Estates-Business Planning Business Planning /practice-areas/business-planning 4957156A significant part of the group’s practice consists of providing estate and business planning for owners of closely held businesses and, in particular, family-owned businesses.
We handle all phases of estate administration.
We have a special interest in preserving and protecting wealth.
Our Litigation group has experience in the field of trusts and estates and consults seamlessly with our Succession Planning, Trusts and Estates group.
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William F. Hanna, an associate with the firm, practices in the areas of real estate, franchise law and community associations. His real estate practice focuses on purchase and sale transactions, leasing and loan transactions. He also represents multi-family apartment building owners in acquisitions and financings, and retail and office landlords in leasing matters. Will also represents condominium and homeowner associations regarding their day-to-day business and legal affairs, including the drafting and enforcing of governing documents and compliance issues..
Will’s franchise practice includes counseling regional and national franchisors on franchise agreements and relationship and regulatory issues.
Prior to joining the firm, Will served as a Deputy Attorney General in the Pensions & Financial Transactions Section of the Office of the Attorney General, Division of Law. In this role, Will provided general counsel to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in a variety of legal matters, and he has represented and provided transactional counsel to various other state authorities and agencies. He has experience handling real estate matters, bond financing, affordable housing matters, regulatory issues and litigation.
Will is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law-Camden (J.D., magna cum laude 2012) and The College of New Jersey (B.A., 2009). While attending law school, Will was an Articles Editor of the Rutgers Journal of Law and Public Policy, an Academic Success Fellow and a Hunter Moot Court Board officer. Will also completed judicial internships with New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Virginia Long (Ret.) and United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, Freda L. Wolfson. After law school, he clerked in the Monmouth County Chancery Division (General Equity) for the Hon. Thomas W. Cavanagh, Jr. and the Hon. Patricia Del Bueno Cleary.
Admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Will is a member of the New Jersey Bar Association, and the Camden County Bar Association.
Will was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, and grew up in Lincroft, New Jersey. He currently resides in Cherry Hill.
Represented a real estate private equity firm in the acquisition and purchase money loan for an 80,695 square foot shopping center in Lower Saucon Township, Pennsylvania.
Represented an investment firm in the sale of a triple net lease investment property in Pleasantville, New Jersey.
Coordinated the transfer of affordable housing units for the purchase of a 334-unit apartment complex in Somerset County, New Jersey.
“Community Associations: Steps After Developer Relinquishes Control of the Board,” New Jersey Law Journal, October 2018