Mariane Gardner attended the 28th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Champions of Social Justice and Equality Gala, hosted by Rutgers Law School Camden’s Black Law Students Association. Mariane is a board member of the Rutgers Camden Law Alumni Association and the Rutgers Alumni Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Category: Transactional Real Estate and Finance
Mariane Gardner Attends Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony
Mariane Gardner attended the annual Governor James J. Florio Scholarship Benefit and Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony hosted by the Rutgers Law School – Camden Alumni Association. A graduate of Rutgers Law School, Mariane is a trustee of the Rutgers Law School – Camden Alumni Association and a co-chair of the Rutgers Law School – Camden Young Lawyers Division. Through her involvement with the alumni association, she met great colleagues who quickly became her mentors. Now, as a practicing attorney, Mariane has a desire to continue her involvement with the Alumni Association to provide current law students with the same advice and guidance that she received.
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Jennifer L. Cordes and Mariane D. Gardner Attend Women’s Conference
October 27, 2023, Jennifer L. Cordes and Mariane D. Gardner attended the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey’s Women’s Conference which was held at the Westin Mount Laurel. The keynote speakers were Lara Price, COO of the 76ers, and Cheldin Barlatt Rumer, CEO and Executive Producer of the This Is It Network. The event hosted two interesting and eye-opening panels – The Reality of Economic Gender Gaps, and Creating a Positive and Encouraging Work Culture.
Mariane D. Gardner, Esq. Joins Hyland Levin Shapiro
Mariane Gardner joins Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP as an associate. Ms. Gardner will focus on corporate counseling and transactions, franchise law, and transactional real estate and finance.
Before joining Hyland Levin Shapiro, Mariane clerked for the Honorable Michael J. Haas, P.J. at the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division where she drafted judicial decisions, conducted legal research and processed emergent motion applications. Prior to that, she was a law clerk at Bancroft Neurohealth advising on corporate law, employment law, healthcare compliance, risk management, nonprofit and litigation matters.
“Our business and franchise law practices continue to expand and we look forward to adding Mariane to our team. Mariane has a strong resume and is totally engaged in community and charitable activities. We are excited to welcome her to the firm”, said Managing Partner, Benjamin Levin.
Mariane is a graduate of Rutgers Law School – Camden (J.D., cum laude), where she served as an editor of the Rutgers Business Law Review and a Clinical Law Student for the Entrepreneurship Clinic. She volunteered with the Honorable Judith H. Wizmur Bankruptcy Pro-Bono Project and the Income Tax Assistance Program. She also completed judicial internships with the Honorable Paula T. Dow, P.J.Ch. and the Honorable Jacylyn Medina, Family Division. Mariane earned her bachelor’s degree from La Salle University where she majored in Psychology and minored in Criminal Justice. She is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and Florida. She is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Burlington County Bar Association and Philadelphia Bar Association. Mariane is a trustee of the Rutgers Law Alumni Association and the YLD Liaison for the PA Bar Association Minority Bar Committee.
Mariane currently resides in Marlton with her family. She is fluent in Arabic. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering as a Career Coach with the Coptic-Orthodox Church Youth Group, and as a baker with Penn-Medicine Hospice and with The Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.
Mariane may be reached at gardner@hylandlevin.com or 856.355.2947.
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New Jersey Imposes New Flood Disclosures to Buyers and Renters
What Happened?
Bill S3110 was signed into law by Governor Murphy on July 3, 2023. New Jersey joins 29 other states in requiring the disclosure of flood risk to potential homebuyers and renters. The law requires sellers of real property and landlords to disclose knowledge of a property’s history of flooding, flood risk, and location in a flood zone or area. Additionally, the law requires landlords to notify tenants of the availability of insurance for renters through the National Flood Insurance program.
Under this legislation, landlords and property sellers must notify tenants and prospective purchasers, prior to signing a lease or agreement of sale, whether a property has been or could be impacted by flooding, is located in the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (“100-year floodplain”) or is located in a Moderate Risk Flood Hazard Area (“500-year floodplain”).
The Department of Community Affairs (“DCA”) will prepare a notification that statewide flood risks are increasing and that the tenant may review these risks on its website. The requirement to disclose if the property is in the FEMA Special or Moderate Risk Flood Hazard Area, beyond actual knowledge, will take effect after the website look-up tool is in place.
For properties being sold, the Division of Consumer Affairs (“Division”) will add specific questions and information to the Property Condition Disclosure Statement concerning certain flood risks. A seller of real property shall be required to use the revised form beginning on the 90th day following its publication on the Division’s website.
For rental properties, if a lease is in writing, the notice required may be included in the written lease or the written renewal lease, provided that the notice is a separate rider, individually signed or otherwise acknowledged by the tenant, and written in not less than 12-point typeface. The DCA, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, will publish a model notice to be used by landlords. The notice will include specific questions about flood risk and space for landlords to provide answers.
The legislation also requires landlords to notify tenants of the availability of insurance for renters through the National Flood Insurance program. Every residential lease must contain the following notice to tenants: “Flood insurance [is] may be available to renters through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program to cover your personal property and contents in the event of a flood. A standard renter’s insurance policy does not typically cover flood damage. You are encouraged to examine your policy to determine whether you are covered.”
Why you need to know about this?
This new legislative mandate will make New Jersey the 30th state in the US to require flood hazard disclosures from landlords and home sellers, in order to inform renters, and homebuyers of the flood risk they face.
This information will help renters and buyers decide if the risk is worth the cost of insurance, and if so, then consider purchasing the appropriate flood insurance to protect against costly out of pocket repairs. If you are a landlord or a seller of property, these new requirements will directly impact how you must notify tenants or prospective buyers of a property’s potential flood risks.
For purposes of this legislation, a “landlord” is, “any person who rents or leases, for a term of at least one month, commercial space or residential dwelling units other than dwelling units in a premises containing not more than two such units, or in an owner-occupied premises of not more than three dwelling units, or in hotels, motels, or other guest houses serving transient or seasonal guests defined as those who rent a property for a period of less than 120 days.”
What should you do now?
The new legislation is welcomed news for renters and prospective property buyers, but it also presents a new set of challenges for landlords and sellers. For now, landlords and sellers should update all form leases and purchase agreements to provide the necessary disclosures for properties that have been or could be impacted by flooding. Additionally, property owners should regularly check the website of the DCA and the Division for the publication of the new Model Notices and new requirements to the Property Condition Disclosure Statements.
Should you have any questions on the newly imposed disclosure requirements, please reach out to us below:
Zachary C. Friedman, Esq.
friedman@hylandlevin.com
856.355.2999
Robert S. Baranowski, Esq.
baranowski@hylandlevin.com
856.355.2955
Jennifer L. Cordes, Esquire Joins Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP
Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP is excited to announce that Jennifer L. Cordes has joined the firm as a partner, continuing her concentration in environmental, real estate, and corporate law. Jennifer represents homeowners, business owners, developers and nonprofit organizations, advising them on state and federal regulatory compliance issues and assisting with due diligence in various types of transactions. She has extensive experience in cost recovery matters under CERCLA, RCRA, and the Spill Act, as well as helping clients who own or operate industrial properties navigate their obligations under ISRA.
Skilled in handling the purchase, sale and financing of real estate and business assets, including the acquisition and transfer of liquor licenses, Jennifer also advises community associations on the interpretation and amendment of governing documents and on the creation and enforcement of rules and regulations. Jennifer has also authored numerous appellate briefs, having appeared before the New Jersey Appellate Division, and has petitioned for certification before the New Jersey Supreme Court.
“We are elated to have Jennifer join our firm. She is a perfect fit on so many levels – practice areas, experience, quality of lawyering, ability to mentor and professionalism”, said Managing Partner, Benjamin Levin.
Before joining Hyland Levin Shapiro, Jennifer was a partner at a mid-sized, regional Law firm and is a former Deputy Attorney General with the State of New Jersey in the Division of Law in the Cost Recovery/Natural Resource Damages section. She served as judicial law clerk for the Honorable Joseph P. Testa, J.S.C. She is a graduate of Rutgers School of Law (J.D 1997), and Elmira College (B.A, cum laude, 1994). She is admitted to practice in New Jersey and is a member of the Delaware Valley Environmental American Inn of Court.
Jennifer volunteers with Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue.
Jennifer may be reached at cordes@hylandlevin.com or 856.355.2920.
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Zachary C. Friedman, Esq. Joins Hyland Levin Shapiro
Zachary C. Friedman has joined Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP as an associate, where his practice will focus on business operations and counseling, and transactional real estate and finance.
Prior to joining Hyland Levin Shapiro, Zachary was an International Tax Associate at KPMG, where he advised multinational enterprises on business decisions and tax considerations, such as supply chain optimization and income tax treaty planning opportunities.
“Zach is a welcome addition to our firm’s active real estate, corporate and franchise practices”, said partner Mark Shapiro. “Zach’s background and experience, especially in tax matters, will enhance the services we provide to our clients in these critical practice areas.”
Zachary is a graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law (J.D. 2022), and Rutgers University (B.A. 2018). At Temple, he was a Law & Public Policy Scholar and participated in the Temple University Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. During law school, Zach clerked for the New Jersey Office Attorney General and served as a Summer Associate at Sandy Hook Promise, where he worked with the legislative policy team and assisted in drafting gun violence prevention legislation.
Zach is a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association and Pennsylvania Bar Association.
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Hyland Levin Shapiro Partner Stacy L. Asbell appointed Board President of Samost Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Southern New Jersey
Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP partner, Stacy Asbell has been appointed Board President of the Samost Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Southern New Jersey (“JFCS”).
JFCS helps Jewish families and the community at large to successfully meet the challenges of daily life by providing quality, affordable, and accessible social services. JFCS is guided by their values of caring for individuals with dignity and respect and helping people to help themselves.
Stacy has served on the JFCS Board since 2012 and served as a Vice President prior to being appointed President. Stacy has specialized in representing real estate clients in purchase, sale, financing and leasing transactions for the past 25 years.
Stacy can be reached at asbell@hylandlevin.com or
(856) 355-2914.
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Transactional Lawyer, A. Steven Fabietti, Esquire Joins Hyland Levin Shapiro
Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP is excited to announce that A. Steven Fabietti has joined the firm as a partner, continuing his concentration in corporate counseling and business transactions, transactional real estate and finance, and estate planning and administration. Steve represents clients located throughout South Jersey, and brings a broad range of experience to multiple practice areas that are essential to his closely-held business clients and their individual owners. Steve represents clients in business sales and acquisitions, commercial real estate transactions, and the design and implementation of business succession plans. He counsels many individual clients in connection with their personal estate planning needs, as well as fiduciaries charged with the administration of trusts and estates.
As a result of personal and professional endeavors, Steve has a great deal of experience in the organization and operation of non-profit entities engaged in a variety of charitable missions. He presently serves on the Egg Harbor Township Advisory Board of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, and has been a Trustee of the Tom Fabietti Scholarship Foundation since its inception in 1994.
“Steve was an associate in my former firm, Levin & Hluchan in the late 90’s, and worked closely with Mark Shapiro and me. I am thrilled that he is joining our firm as a partner. Steve has all the qualities we value in a partner, not only a great lawyer, but a terrific person and a consummate team player,” said Ben Levin, Managing Partner.
“We are delighted to be practicing with Steve again 20 years later. He is a welcome addition to our transactional practice, which is as busy as ever. The depth and breadth of his experience, especially in South Jersey, will benefit many firm clients,” added Mark Shapiro.
Steve previously served two terms on the New Jersey Supreme Court’s District I Ethics Committee, and presently serves on the New Jersey Supreme Court’s District I Fee Arbitration Committee. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D. 1996), and Villanova University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1993). After law school, Steve completed a judicial clerkship for the Honorable Sydney Hoffman in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
He resides in Linwood, New Jersey with his wife and twin boys. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar and beach days in Longport.
Steve may be reached at fabietti@hylandlevin.com or 856.355.2938.
Florida Real Estate Deal Lawyer, Krista D. DeCastro Esquire Joins Hyland Levin Shapiro
Krista DeCastro has joined Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP, where she will continue to represent real estate developers and investors in the acquisition, disposition, financing and leasing of commercial real estate.
Krista will practice in Key Biscayne, Florida, just outside of Miami, as Counsel with the firm. Krista has spent the last sixteen years practicing at some of the top South Florida firms for commercial real estate.
“We are thrilled to be moving into Florida with Krista’s deep experience and excellent training. Our clients have been doing deals in Florida for about 10 years now and with each year, the need for more Florida support has grown. That trend appears to be continuing. It was simply time to add a Florida-based attorney to help with the Florida transactions. After an extensive search, Krista was far and away the most qualified candidate. Her breadth and depth of experience match-up well with our existing and anticipated needs in retail, multi-family and office. As our clients continue to migrate down to Florida, both physically and through investments, we’ll be ready to assist.” said Mark Shapiro, partner who heads the firm’s real estate group and is also a licensed Florida attorney.
We continue to grow our firm based on the needs of our clients. Florida is a natural fit for us as so many of our clients have migrated to Florida to focus their real estate and business interests in the state”, added Managing Partner, Ben Levin.
Krista is a member of the Key Biscayne Bar Association. She is a 2005 graduate of Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois, and a 2001 graduate of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia where she obtained a BBA with Distinction in Consulting and Business Management. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005.
Krista may be reached at decastro@hylandlevin.com or 786.562.7233.