Wendy M. Berger
Memberwberger@coleschotz.com New Jersey OfficeCourt Plaza North, 25 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
T: 201-525-6203 / C: 201-707-0467 / F: 201-678-6203
Legal Practice Assistant: Debbie Hilcher
T: 201-489-3000 ext. 5084
dhilcher@coleschotz.com
OVERVIEW
Wendy M. Berger is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Department. Wendy counsels developers, real estate equity and opportunity funds, real estate investment trusts, investors, developers, owners and tenants in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. Her practice emphasizes the representation of commercial, retail, industrial, restaurant, hotel, religious, educational, medical and residential developers before government agencies and local boards in both New York and New Jersey for land development approvals, construction-related issues, and liquor license transfers.
Wendy is experienced with all state and federal land use regulations and has represented corporations on zoning issues of first impression before the New Jersey courts. Her professional focus includes representation of clients in the acquisition, due diligence, sale and financing of commercial and residential properties. Wendy also concentrates in the formation of condominium and cooperative public offering statements for both residential and commercial properties, condominium and cooperative conversions, construction law and the acquisition and sale of liquor licenses in both New York and New Jersey. In addition, she represents commercial property owners in pursuing real property tax appeals throughout New Jersey before the County Board of Taxation and the New Jersey Tax Court.
A Member of the firm since 1989, Wendy has played a prominent role in representing an array of real estate entities including:
- A hospital in the development and continuing expansion of its facility to meet ongoing community needs in Edison, N.J.;
- A developer in the acquisition and development of a ski resort in Vernon, N.J.;
- A car dealership in the development and remodeling of several of its dealerships;
- A national restaurant chain in the establishment of its first eatery in New Jersey;
- A church in the establishment of its headquarters on a 100-acre campus;
- A national phone carrier in the expansion and development of its retail stores throughout New Jersey and New York; and
- A cellular telephone carrier in the expansion of its cellular antenna and tower network;
- National hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants in acquiring and transferring liquor licenses.
Wendy has been awarded an AV rating for her professionalism and the quality of her legal work from Martindale-Hubbell, publisher of the premier directory of legal professionals. Wendy has garnered professional accolades from Real Estate Weekly, 201 Magazine’s list of top lawyers in Bergen County, Super Lawyers and the prestigious Best Lawyers in America. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. See Award Methodology.
Wendy teaches Real Estate Law as an Adjunct Professor at Baruch University. A featured speaker for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the Bergen County Bar Association and the Bergen County Board of Realtors, Wendy has been a frequent guest lecturer for the International Council of Shopping Centers. She was former treasurer and board member of CREW New York. She has also served a three-year membership on the Bergen County Judicial Appointments Committee, Judicial Performance Committee, the Ethics Committee and the Nominating Committee and the Bergen County Bar Association's Land Use and Real Property Committees (former chair).
Wendy earned her B.A., cum laude, from Syracuse University and her J.D. from Syracuse University School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in New Jersey (1979), New York (1985), the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (1985) and the U.S. Supreme Court (1985).
Services
Education
Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., 1979Syracuse University, B.A., cum laude, 1976Bar & Court Admissions
New Jersey, 1979U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1985New York, 1985U.S. Supreme Court, 1985NEWS
News
Cole Schotz Represents Invictus Real Estate Partners in $89.5 Million Loan for NJ Development
December 17, 2020
Invictus closes $89M construction loan for TOD
As published in: Real Estate Weekly December 17, 2020
Best Lawyers Recognizes 36 Cole Schotz Attorneys on 2021 List
August 20, 2020
Cole Schotz Represents Lightstone Capital in $42.7 Million Bridge Loan for Mixed-Use Jersey City Building
July 6, 2020
Best Lawyers Recognizes 29 Cole Schotz Attorneys on 2020 List
August 15, 2019
Congratulations to Wendy Berger, J. Kate Stickles and Lori Wolf
As published in: Best Lawyers Business Edition 2019: Women in the Law Summer 2019
Best Lawyers Recognizes 31 Cole Schotz Attorneys on 2019 List
August 15, 2018
Best Lawyers Recognizes 34 Cole Schotz Attorneys on 2018 List
August 15, 2017
Congratulations to Wendy Berger, J. Kate Stickles, Ilana Volkov, and Lori Wolf
As published in: Best Lawyers Business Edition 2017: Women in the Law Spring 2017
Topgolf Opens in Edison, NJ with an Assist from Cole Schotz
December 27, 2016
Wendy Berger and Michael Jones are mentioned in, "Edison: Topgolf to Open First NJ Location Friday"
As published in: myCentralJersey.com December 21, 2016
Wendy Berger and Michael Jones worked closely with the Topgolf legal team to Open First NJ Location
As published in: NJBIZ December 20, 2016
Best Lawyers Recognizes 33 Cole Schotz Attorneys on 2017 List
August 15, 2016
Best Lawyers® Recognizes Thirty-Six Cole Schotz Attorneys
As published in: Best Lawyers August 18, 2014
Wendy Berger was quoted in an article titled, "Palisades Park Welcomes Diversity"
As published in: The Record February 23, 2014
Thirty-Five Cole Schotz Attorneys Recognized as Top U.S. Lawyers
August 15, 2013
EVENTS
Recent Events
Due Diligence in Real Estate Acquisitions CLE Presentation at Cole Schotz NJ Office
Attorneys Speaking: Wendy M. Berger and Jonathan GoodelmanJune 20, 2019Acquisition and Sale of NJ Liquor License, CLE Presentation at Cole Schotz New Jersey Office
Attorneys Speaking: Wendy M. Berger and Robert M. DiPisaJuly 21, 2016Bergen County Bar Association 21st Annual Land Use Symposium
Attorney Speaking: Wendy M. BergerMay 7, 2016Annual Land Use Symposium, Bergen County Bar Association, Bergen Community College
Attorney Speaking: Wendy M. BergerMarch 10, 2012PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Cole Schotz advises on $90 million loan for Harrison development
Real Estate NJ December 17, 2020
Jordan A. Fisch, Wendy M. Berger, Matthew S. Schneid, Jill B. Richardson, Catherine E. Bostock, Robyn A. Pellegrino, Cristina M. Riggio, Aaron S. Brotman, Isabelle R. Jacobs and Nicole DlugoszNJ and NY Liquor Licenses- Alcoholic Beverage Sales and Service
Corporate Law June 4, 2020
Wendy M. Berger and Jonathan GoodelmanNJ ABC Extends The Deadline To Renew Liquor Licenses To September 30, 2020
Corporate Law April 17, 2020
Wendy M. Berger and Jonathan GoodelmanCOVID – 19 Alert: New Jersey Alters Public Meeting Procedures During the Pandemic
Real Estate & Construction Law March 26, 2020
Wendy M. BergerBeer or Bust, the new regulations affecting NJ's microbreweries
Corporate Law September 28, 2018
Wendy M. BergerOpening a Restaurant in New Jersey – A Liquor License Q & A
Corporate Law May 2, 2017
Wendy M. BergerThe New Jersey Supreme Court has reopened the doors to Affordable Housing Litigation
Real Estate & Construction Law Monitor March 11, 2015
Wendy M. BergerThe Time To Pursue Real Property Tax Relief For The 2014 Tax Year Is Now
November 14, 2013
Carl A. Rizzo and Wendy M. BergerMerchandising Begins on the Street, A Sign Does More Than Give Out Information
Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal March 26, 2010
Wendy M. BergerDon't Lose Your Right to Challenge Your Tax Assessment
Real Estate & Construction Law Monitor
Wendy M. Berger