In New Jersey, there is a well-established principle in land use jurisprudence, that zoning should be done by ordinance, and not by variance. Nonetheless, every day throughout the State, municipal planning boards, and municipal zoning boards of adjustment, hear applications made by property owners seeking relief from zoning ordinances. The relief requested is typically a […]
Author Archive | Stuart Liebman
Extensions Continue for New Jersey Land Use Approvals and Permits
The body of law which governs land use, zoning and land development in the State of New Jersey is known as the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL). It can be found at New Jersey statutes annotated NJSA 40:55D-1 et seq. This is the body of law which establishes the substantive and procedural rules and regulations […]
Rules of the Road from the Eyes of a Bicyclist
I have been riding bicycles all of my life, and I have been an avid road bicyclist for about ten years. In addition to helping to keep your mind and body in shape, cycling provides you a keen awareness of the general rules of the road. While operating a motor vehicle you may be somewhat […]
It’s About Time
Imagine that you are back in school. You have taken a particular class or course for the whole year, semester or whatever, and you have prepared thoroughly for your final exam. You carefully selected this course, paid your tuition, invested countless hours studying, bought books and materials, and attended classes. On exam day, you get […]
When Social, Political And Legal Worlds Collide
In a recent New Jersey Tax Court decision, a State Tax Judge has ruled that a private not-for-profit company does not deserve tax exemptions on homes it owns and leases to mentally ill clients in several towns in Bergen County, New Jersey. Most of our readers know that our firm has a very strong commitment […]
A Word From Our Managing Partner …. Stuart D. Liebman
This is an exciting time to be the Managing Partner of Wells, Jaworski & Liebman. This year, our Firm is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. I have been the Managing Partner for the past 10 years. Tom Wells is the founding Partner of the Firm and served as Managing Partner for our first 10 years. From […]
Until Death Do Us Part
“Until Death Do Us Part”, an expression most often heard in wedding vows. But did you know that the concept also applies to a jury verdict for commission of fraud and conspiracy? Lawyers for Kenneth Lay successfully argued to a US District Judge that Lay’s conviction for fraud and conspiracy in the Enron case should […]
Red Light – Green Light No Longer a Child’s Game
Governor McGreevey has decided that “suburban sprawl” is bad. The Governor has also decided that “smart growth” is good. What is suburban sprawl? What is smart growth? The answers are unclear. Perhaps a map would help. But which map to use? There is the State Plan map created in 1992 at the time that the […]
Religious Resurrection
As most of the readers of our Legal Update know, WJ&L, LLP has had the good fortune to assist many civic and other not-for-profit entities with their business and legal affairs, including real estate and zoning matters. Within this group of clients, there are many religious institutions. On September 22nd of this year a new […]
Is It An Unauthorized Practice of Law? Should a Real Estate Professional Prepare a Contract?
Can a licensed real estate salesperson or broker prepare contracts and leases relating to commercial properties in New Jersey without violating the general proscriptions against non-lawyers engaging in the practice of law? The New Jersey Real Estate Commission has asked the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on the unauthorized practice of law to consider this […]