Christopher D. Hopkins
Christopher Hopkins represents developers, purchasers and sellers in connection with the acquisition, disposition, leasing, development and re-development of commercial real property. His experience includes redevelopment, sustainable-building, affordable housing development, transit-oriented development, condominium association formation and representation, returning contaminated properties or "Brownfields" to beneficial use, and real estate and environmental related litigation.
Christopher negotiates complex contractual arrangements associated with development projects, such as purchase agreements, design and construction documents, risk allocation documents, and remediation contracts, with an eye towards "out of the box" transaction planning. He regularly appears before municipal, county and state authorities to secure regulatory approvals.
Additionally, Christopher counsels clients on a variety of environmental regulatory compliance and permitting issues, including ISRA compliance, environmental due diligence, Superfund and other liability concerns. He also has extensive experience litigating issues of insurance coverage involving environmental contamination. He is committed to working collaboratively with clients to achieve practical, cost effective results whether it be in transactions, litigation, remediation or development projects.
Represented a chemical company before the U.S. Court of Appeals in an environmental insurance coverage action
Represented large paper manufacturer in CERCLA defense and/or cleanup cost recovery litigation
Represented various clients in brownfield redevelopment projects
Represented a wetlands mitigation bank in obtaining land use approvals and environmental permits for project
Successfully conducted prerogative writ litigation over the removal of environmental conditions contained in land use approval
Represented large residential developer in the acquisition and development of multiple properties, including litigation against sellers over contractual dispute
Successfully challenged municipal denial of local approvals for the development of multifamily community in the New Jersey Highlands
Represented condominium board of large high-rise complex in Jersey City
Represented foreign purchaser of a landmark skyscraper in Manhattan
Represented a five-star international airline carrier in its negotiation of terminal space at a major New York area airport
Represented law firm in its lease of office space in New York and Newark, while negotiating sublease for a portion of that space
Counseled redeveloper on the acquisition, remediation and redevelopment of a large chemical manufacturing facility in New Jersey
Conducted litigation against large oil company regarding environmental contamination, successfully recovering remediation monies spent by client
Represented landlord in a litigation involving multiple tenants on large property along the Hudson River, successfully removing several tenants and obtaining judgment for back rent due, while simultaneously negotiating the purchase of riparian rights from the State of New Jersey for the landlord
Represented large sneaker distributor in its negotiation of lease renewal for warehouse space
Represented a national homebuilder before state and local agencies in various construction, development, redevelopment, and land use matters
Served as General Counsel to a New Jersey affordable housing developer, drafting and negotiating design and construction documents, advising on various financing, affordable housing tax credit, commercial real estate transactions and corporate governance; Negotiated modifications to existing construction loans and obtained all entitlements for projects
Represented developer in litigation reversing the municipal denial of a modification of a tax abatement agreement for a condominium high rise in New Jersey