Demetrice R. Miles Joins CSG Law's Real Estate Group
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (CSG Law) is pleased to announce that Demetrice R. Miles has joined CSG Law’s Real Estate, Development & Land Use Group, one of the region’s largest real estate practices and the 2021 recipient of the New Jersey Law Journal’s “Dealmakers of the Year” award.
Demetrice’s decades-long practice is heavily focused on litigation with a concentration in real estate, real property tax appeals and exemption claims, eminent domain, in rem tax foreclosures, public utility law, environmental law, public contracts law, Open Public Records Act, construction law, labor and employment, and complex commercial litigation. In the field of tax appeals and eminent domain, Demetrice has served as special counsel to various public entities throughout the State of New Jersey, including the City of Newark, the Housing Authority of the City of Newark, New Jersey Schools Development Authority, the Borough of Carteret, Carteret Redevelopment Agency, the Township of West Orange, East Orange Housing Authority, the City of New Brunswick, Township of Edison, Township of Franklin (Somerset), Orange Housing Authority, County of Hudson, and the City of Hoboken, among other entities.
In the field of redevelopment, Demetrice represented the Newark Housing Authority regarding the redevelopment of the Newark Downtown Core District Redevelopment Area, which encompasses the Prudential Center. Representation of the housing authority involved the acquisition and assemblage of 112 properties by condemnation proceedings, land swap/exchanges and negotiated purchases, and the relocation of more than 60 persons and businesses.
Also, Demetrice successfully defended the Newark Housing Authority against an action by bondholders seeking to certify a class action and assert various claims for damages regarding the administration of proceeds from a $220 Million bond issuance that was used to fund the redevelopment of the Newark Downtown Core District Redevelopment Area and the construction of the Prudential Center.
“I’ve known Demetrice since he started with the City of Newark more than 25 years ago,” said Frank J. Giantomasi, a Member of the firm’s Executive Committee. “His experience with PILOTs, redevelopment plans, and urban redevelopment is simply extraordinary. We believe he’ll be a tremendous asset to the Real Estate Group as part of the Tax Appeal team.”
In his role as assistant corporation counsel to the City of Newark, Demetrice frequently defended tax appeals before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Tax Court of New Jersey and the Essex County Board of Taxation, reviewed and processed tax exemption applications, prepared ordinances and resolutions, represented the City of Newark in matters involving zoning and land use planning, and engaged in appellate practice. Additionally, Demetrice represented the City of Newark before the Supreme Court of New Jersey in the case of GM v. Linden, 150 N.J. 522 (1997), which involved the City’s challenge to the constitutionality of the Business Retention Act.
“Navigating the intersection between the public and private sectors has always been a strong point of our real estate practice,” said Mitch Berkey, Chair of the Real Estate, Development & Land Use Group. “Demetrice’s extensive public sector background will prove invaluable as our Real Estate Group continues to expand to meet the needs of our valued clients.”
Before joining CSG Law, Demetrice was a partner at a Roseland law firm where he represented public sector clients in the drafting and negotiation of various transaction agreements. He also represented these public sector clients in all stages of the procurement process, including drafting and reviewing bid specifications and contracts, attending bid openings, and reviewing bids to ensure material compliance with applicable requirements. Demetrice regularly assists clients in resolving bid and procurement related disputes, including representation at arbitration and court proceedings.
Demetrice earned his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and his B.S. from Eastern Michigan University.
