News

Parsippany, NJ, October 2, 2015 – Day Pitney has announced the strategic expansion of its real estate practice through the acquisition of five attorneys from the Morristown-based firm Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. Peter Wolfson, Doug Henshaw, Katharine Coffey, John DeSimone and Catherine Nolan have joined Day Pitney’s Parsippany, New Jersey office.

“We are excited to have this very skilled team of lawyers join our firm,” said Day Pitney Managing Partner Stanley A. Twardy, Jr. “We have been strategically deepening our bench to strengthen our offerings in key markets and practice areas.”

The team advises many renowned developers and real estate-related companies, in virtually all types of real estate matters, including acquisitions, leasing, condominiums, land use, redevelopment, financings, title work, litigation, construction and zoning matters.

“New Jersey has been a strong growth market for commercial real estate and development,” said Chair of Day Pitney’s Real Estate, Environmental and Land Use Department Michael P. Byrne.  “The addition of this team of attorneys enables us to provide even more depth and experience to help our clients take advantage of the market.”

“The group’s practice is very sophisticated and is well regarded in the legal and real estate communities,” said  Day Pitney Real Estate Partner Thomas J. Malman, who has known Peter Wolfson and Doug Henshaw for 30 years. “We are looking forward to working with such a talented group of lawyers. Their experience will complement and strengthen our existing team.”

Peter Wolfson, formerly the chair of Porzio’s real estate practice, will join Day Pitney as a partner. His practice is focused on land use,  development and redevelopment, transactions,  taxation and common interest ownership regimes. He is also an active member of the Morris County, New Jersey and American Bar Associations, the New Jersey Builders Association, and  the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of NJ, among other organizations and lectures on real estate topics.

Katharine “Kate” Coffey will join Day Pitney as a partner. Coffey concentrates her practice in redevelopment, land use applications, financial incentives and public-private partnerships and related issues regarding affordable housing, liquor licenses, the Highlands Act and condominium law. She also has experience with commercial landlord/tenant litigation and collections. Coffey is active in the United Way of Northern New Jersey, the New Jersey Builder's Association, the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, and the Morris County Bar Association, as well as other organizations.

Doug Henshaw will join Day Pitney as of counsel. His practice is mainly focused on land use, development and transactions. Doug is admitted in New Jersey and is an active member of the Morris County and NJ Bar Associations, the New Jersey Land Title Association and Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey.

John DeSimone will join Day Pitney as counsel in both the real estate and litigation practices. His practice is focused on both business litigation and litigation associated with real estate matters. For real estate, Desimone advises on matters including commercial leasing, real estate contracts, title and construction. He is also a land use and zoning attorney as well as a general counsel for several community associations. For business litigation, he concentrates in restrictive covenant and trade secret misappropriation suits, employment disputes, director and officer liability matters, shareholder and partnership litigation, professional claims defense, lender litigation, general commercial litigation matters, and business counseling. DeSimone is admitted in both New Jersey and New York. He is an active member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors and the New Jersey Bankers Association.

Catherine “Cathy” Nolan will join Day Pitney as an associate. Nolan’s practice is focused on all areas in environmental law. Nolan’s extensive environmental law experience is uniquely enhanced by her having completed a Master's degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers University.

About Day Pitney

Day Pitney LLP is a full-service law firm with close to 300 attorneys in Boston, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, DC. The firm offers clients strong corporate and litigation practices, with experience on behalf of large national and international corporations as well as emerging and middle-market companies. With one of the largest and most sophisticated individual clients practices in the country, the firm also has extensive experience advising individuals and their families, fiduciaries and tax-exempt entities plan for the future.