Overview
Craig Gianetti, co-chair of the firm's Real Estate, Environmental and Land Use practice, assists property owners, developers and institutional investors in all aspects of real estate development, from the initial transaction, to development approvals, financing and litigation. He helps clients with residential and commercial real estate development matters, including land use and zoning, affordable housing, redevelopment law, real estate transactions and litigation.
Craig has extensive experience in affordable housing matters related to developer and municipal compliance with affordable housing laws and has represented developers in affordable housing projects financed through the NJHMFA and the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. He has been involved in dozens of affordable housing cases through out New Jersey on behalf of developers.
In addition to his practice, Craig is an instructor of "Introduction to Zoning Enforcement and Administration" at Rutgers University's Center for Government Services, and has been a guest speaker at the Kislak Real Estate Institute at Monmouth University. He is a regular speaker on various panels and seminars concerning land use and affordable housing. He is also a past-Chair of the Land Use Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Craig served as judicial clerk to the Honorable Eugene D. Serpentelli, Assignment Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court, Ocean County Law Division (retired), where he primarily assisted on land use and affordable housing matters in Ocean County.
Experience
Represented multiple Fortune 500 companies on the repurposing and redevelopment of corporate campuses in New Jersey
Represented a number of developer clients in obtaining rezoning for property as part of municipal affordable housing compliance plans, which in some instances involved litigation
Represent national pharmacy chain and regional convenience store chain in obtaining land use approvals throughout New Jersey
Recently represented both residential and commercial developers in redevelopment projects in New Jersey, including Morristown, Newark, Irvington, Wall Township, Atlantic City, Woodbridge, Moorestown and Old Bridge
Recently represented several affordable housing developers on the financing for projects in New Jersey using federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Represented several developers in obtaining rezoning or development approvals for over 3 million square feet of industrial space in New Jersey since 2021
Represented Fortune 100 Company on land use approvals for multiple parcel distribution centers throughout the state of New Jersey
Represent a large institutional real estate investment company in land use and affordable housing due diligence matters as part of various acquisitions and dispositions in New Jersey
Education and Credentials
Education
- Quinnipiac University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2003, Associate Editor, Quinnipiac Law Review
- Villanova University, B.S., 2000
Admissions
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- State of New York
- State of New Jersey
Affiliations
- New Jersey State Bar Association, Land Use Law Section, Former Chair
- New Jersey Builders Association
- Morris County Bar Association
- Metropolitan Builders and Contractors Association, Inc.
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Real Estate Law, 2023-2025
Selected to the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Land Use/Zoning, 2017-2024
Selected to the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters), Land Use/Zoning, 2012-2016
Recipient of the 2003 Connecticut Bar Association Real Property Award for article on affordable housing, "Third Time's The Charm? The Mount Laurel Solution To Exclusionary Zoning," Fall 2001
In The Media
Media Mention
- Upper Freehold Oks Warehouses After 10-Month Hearing, But Allentown Will Fight, Asbury Park Press, December 19, 2024
- Affordable Housing Law 'Streamlines' Process for Cities, Law360 , August 27, 2024
- Court Tells Wealthy NJ Town: We'll Decide Where You'll Put Affordable Housing, Gothamist , April 10, 2024
- NJ Bill Paves An Aggressive Affordable-Housing Path, Law360, March 25, 2024
- NJ Towns Seek Revival of Affordable Housing Agency, Law360 Real Estate Authority, August 3, 2023
- Day Pitney Names Real Estate, Environmental Co-Chairs in NJ, Law360, April 4, 2023
- Coffey, Gianetti Named Co-Chairs of Day Pitney Real Estate and Environmental Group, Real Estate NJ, April 5, 2023
- New Leadership Announced at Day Pitney, New Jersey Law Journal, April 4, 2023
- REIT eyes plan to reposition South Jersey mall with 1,100 apartments, hotel, RE-NJ, January 21, 2021
- Craig Gianetti Featured in Real Estate New Jersey Market Forecast, Real Estate New Jersey, January 21, 2020
- Developer Secures LIHTC Financing for 84-unit Newark Project, Day Pitney Says, Real Estate NJ, October 4, 2018
- NJ Affordable Housing Trial May Signal Fate, Law360, June 5, 2017
- Affordable Housing Developers Anxious amid Tax Uncertainty, Law360, May 11, 2017
- Closed For Business: Is New Jersey Pushing out Small- And Medium-Sized Companies?, RegentAtlantic, June 2016
- 110 affordable housing units proposed in Wall, The Asbury Park Press, February 4, 2016
- Construction and Real Estate Clients Often Require Vigorous Advocacy, Commerce Magazine, December 17, 2015
- Matheny threatened by council vote?, MyCentralJersey.com, October 1, 2015
- NJ Facing Wave Of Affordable Housing Suits, Law360, July 7, 2015
Publications
- Author, "But COAH Is Gone, Right?" NJBA The Cutting Edge, December 2011, December 1, 2011
- Author, "Towns Need to be Pushed on Housing," Asbury Park Press, November 14, 2010, November 14, 2011
- Author, "Discouraging Development Hurts New Jersey Economy," Star Ledger, December 8, 2010, December 8, 2010