Steven G. Mlenak

Practice Areas

Co-Chair, Redevelopment & Land Use practice; Chair, Financial Incentives & Economic Development practice. Concentrates in redevelopment, land use, zoning, and real estate development. Clients include property owners and developers engaged in mixed use, residential, industrial, commercial, office, retail and affordable housing development projects. Provides guidance from initial project concept through construction, including land use planning and approvals, permits and variances and appearances before municipal, county and state planning and zoning boards and agencies. Counsels redevelopers, property owners and municipalities on all aspects of redevelopment process, including negotiation of redevelopment agreements, review of redevelopment area studies and redevelopment plans, drafting of redevelopment-related ordinances and resolutions, and appearances before redevelopment entities and governing bodies. Provides counsel regarding incentives and tax abatements available at the state and federal level, including the negotiation of financial agreements (PILOT) under Long Term Tax Exemption Law and application for grant programs under the NJEDA. Significant niche practice in community association law.

Professional Memberships

American College of Real Estate Lawyers: Fellow

New Jersey Builders Association: Redevelopment Counsel; Legislative Committee

Community Associations Institute - New Jersey Chapter (CAI-NJ); Executive Committee and President; 2020 Membership Committee, Vice Chair; Ambassador Program; National Legislative Action Committee - NJ (former member and current Board Liaison)

New Jersey State Bar Association; Land Use Law Section, Board of Directors and Chair, Legislative Committee

NAIOP New Jersey; Legislative Committee and Regulatory Affairs Committee

Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey

U.S. Green Building Council

Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority (Commissioner, 2014-2016; 2016-2021)

New Jersey Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (Chief of Staff, 2011-2012)

Personal

Rutgers University School of Law-Newark (2011)

University of Connecticut (2008)