Steven G. Mlenak

Professional Memberships

American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) Fellow

New Jersey Builders Association: Redevelopment Counsel; Legislative Affairs Committee

Community Associations Institute - New Jersey Chapter (CAI-NJ); Board of Directors (2026): President (2025); Executive Committee (2022-2025); Membership Committee: Vice Chair (2020), Member (2019); National Legislative Action Committee – NJ: Member (2026; 2013-2016) Board Liaison (2020-2025)

New Jersey State Bar Association: Land Use Law Section, Secretary (2026-2027), Board of Directors (former Member), Legislative Committee (former Chair)

NAIOP New Jersey: Legislative Committee and Regulatory Affairs Committee

Rutgers Business School Center for Real Estate Advisory Board

Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey

Personal

While attending law school, Steve was a semi-finalist in the Nathan Baker Mock Trial Competition, and was a three-time merit scholarship recipient

Work Highlights

The firm represents The Lions Group, a family-owned real estate development, construction and property management firm, in connection with its transformational redevelopment project at Journal Square in Jersey City, projected to include 360 residential units over 34 stories, retail space and a public thoroughfare to the Journal Square train station. Our representation includes preparation of applications to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for up to $90 million in tax credits under the Aspire Program and more than $13 million dollars more in LIHTC from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. The firm's work further involves environmental remediation oversight, residential master lease preparation, financing for approximately $300 million dollars with one of the largest financial institutions in the world and preparation of condominium formation documents. Read more about this project.

The firm represents a real estate and emerging technology investment firm in connection with its 100% affordable housing project known as Rowan Towers in Trenton, which will substantially renovate and modernize the 195 units on the property. Our representation includes preparation of applications to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for up to $90 million in tax credits under the Aspire Program and more than $30 million dollars in LIHTC from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. This project will include a community room, library, remodeled exterior and a social services coordinator, among other features.

Representing the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Perth Amboy in connection with the redevelopment of its former community center into a multi-use facility comprised of a new community center, senior housing dwellings, a new chapel and priests' offices. This engagement includes counseling with respect to the redevelopment area designation, preparation and negotiation of a redevelopment agreement, and the procurement of all necessary local approvals including preliminary and final site plan approval from the Perth Amboy Planning Board.

Serving as redevelopment counsel to the Town of Westfield on multiple major initiatives, including the $500+ million transformation of its downtown core, advising on redevelopment agreements, land disposition, public improvements, financial agreements, bond-financed infrastructure, and public-private partnerships across several concurrent projects.

The firm is representing Monmouth University in campus-wide land use and redevelopment matters, including securing approvals for the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music and advising on student housing, athletic, academic, and infrastructure expansions exceeding $20 million.

As part of the firm’s ongoing representation of Hartz Mountain Industries in various matters throughout the years, assisted this leading national real estate developer on land use approvals for a $500+ million master-planned project in Roxbury Township, encompassing nearly 2.5 million square feet of industrial development, residential units, public amenities, infrastructure improvements, and dedication of over 400 acres of open space.

The firm has represented Capodagli Property Company as the developer of numerous large-scale redevelopment matters and in land use litigation throughout New Jersey. Our representation has included $40 million lost-profit litigation in Toms River, securing redevelopment approvals in Rahway, and builders-remedy and redevelopment litigation in multiple municipalities, involving projects exceeding $300 million in aggregate value.

The firm’s role as Special Redevelopment and Affordable Housing Counsel to the Municipality of Princeton involves the redevelopment of the Princeton Seminary property, acquisition of more than six acres through eminent domain for $42 million, and planning for multiple affordable housing projects totaling more than $185 million.

The firm represents the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) as redevelopment counsel in sourcing development partners and negotiating joint venture and development agreements for historic rehabilitation and residential redevelopment projects exceeding $150 million. The firm's work on this project was recognized by the New Jersey Alliance for Action as one of New Jersey’s Leading Capital Construction Projects.

Soojian Brothers Construction, a family-owned general contracting firm specializing in commercial projects, retained the firm related to its redevelopment of a blighted former gas station in Pompton Lakes into a 23-unit mixed-income multifamily project. Our work included the negotiation of amendments to an existing redevelopment plan, a redevelopment agreement, a tax exemption/financial agreement, and an off-site parking license agreement, as well as the difficult negotiation of easements with a neighboring property owner and the County of Passaic.

Obtained preliminary and final site plan and subdivision approval with variance and waiver relief from the Township of Woodbridge for a large mixed-use project consisting of 376 apartment units in five buildings, two retail/restaurant buildings, clubhouse featuring a pool and other amenities, approximately 800 parking spaces, and ancillary site improvements.

Representing a commercial property owner in litigation and administrative proceedings challenging approvals for a $400 million mixed-use waterfront development in Edgewater, including prerogative writ actions, appellate proceedings, and defense of related retaliation claims.

Represented the redeveloper of a multi-million-dollar mixed-use project in Linden comprised of 113 market-rate residential dwellings and over 16,000 square feet of retail space. This representation included the preparation and negotiation of the redevelopment agreement and PILOT agreement, as well as coordination of the acquisition of private properties through agreement or condemnation by the City of Linden.

Played a significant role in the redevelopment of a blighted unoccupied office building in downtown Linden into the new headquarters of an expanding regional laboratory. Representation included the negotiation and execution of an amended redevelopment agreement, financial agreement for a 5-year tax abatement, adoption of related municipal resolutions and ordinances, and assistance in obtaining preliminary and final site plan review approval from the Linden Planning Board.

Representing a full-service, privately held commercial and residential real estate development and investment company in redevelopment and land use matters throughout New Jersey, including securing approvals for residential and mixed-use projects and advising on developments valued at approximately $20 million.

Representing a New York-based scaffolding contractor in the development of a $5 million manufacturing and office facility in Branchburg, including negotiation of municipal settlement agreements resolving neighboring objections.

Representing Park Street Land Development LLC in multiple redevelopment projects across New Jersey, including negotiation of redevelopment and PILOT agreements and securing approvals for projects ranging from $10 million to $35 million.

Counseled an international Fortune 500 retailer on large-scale retail and commercial developments totaling millions of square feet across multiple locations, advising on redevelopment approvals, PILOT agreements, environmental remediation, land use and zoning, construction permitting, and leasing matters.

Obtained a monetary judgment on behalf of a condominium association against a developer for nearly $200,000 in damages related to unsold commercial units held by the developer in the association. After selling all of the residential units in a Cape May condominium, the developer of the condominium refused to contribute towards the expenses of the building while continuing to own three large commercial units within the condominium. This left the maintenance and repair of the building solely to the individuals that purchased their homes from the developer to pick up the developer’s short fall for years. Steve filed suit and, in a lengthy written opinion from the judge, successfully obtained a judgment of nearly $200,000, including attorney fees and interest, against the developer for the association.

Career

Steve focuses his practice on redevelopment, land use, and community association law. He represents developers, property owners, municipalities, condominium associations, and homeowners associations in matters involving redevelopment projects, land use approvals, tax incentives, and community association governance throughout New Jersey.

His redevelopment and land use practice includes mixed-use, residential, industrial, commercial, office, retail, and affordable housing projects. Steve advises clients on redevelopment agreements, redevelopment area studies and plans, redevelopment ordinances and resolutions, financial agreements (PILOTs) under New Jersey’s Long Term Tax Exemption Law, and state incentive programs administered by the Economic Development Authority (EDA), including Aspire Program matters involving low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC). He also represents clients before municipal, county, and state planning and zoning boards in connection with permits, variances, and development approvals.

Steve’s practice is informed by prior legislative experience as Chief of Staff to a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, providing him with insight into the intersection of redevelopment law, public policy, and local government.

In addition, Steve advises condominium and homeowners associations on governance, operational, and compliance matters. His community association practice includes interpretation and amendment of governing documents and bylaws, contract drafting, collections, rule enforcement, fiduciary obligations of board members, transition matters, Municipal Services Act compliance, and dispute resolution. He also represents associations in construction defect litigation, Fair Housing matters, landlord-tenant disputes, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

Education

Awards