june 2008
2008 Chambers USA Guide Names Farer Fersko Leading Firm in Environmental and Real Estate Law
The 2008 Chambers USA guide to leading U.S. law firms and attorneys has once again named Farer Fersko as a leader in the fields of environmental law, real estate law, and zoning and land use law.
Our partners David B. Farer , Jack Fersko , Richard J. Ericsson and Ann M. Waeger are individually recognized by Chambers USA as leaders in their respective areas of practice.
Of the firm’s environmental practice, the Chambers USA guide writes:
This boutique firm specializes in environment and real estate work, making its mark in the confluence of these two areas. Its work on real estate redevelopment and brownfield sites attracts particular kudos, making it one of the most experienced outfits for transactional issues. Beyond deals, the team is also active counseling clients on all potential liabilities. With a user base consisting of major developers and international manufacturers, the firm punches above its weight and continues to flourish.
On the real estate practice front, Chambers USA says:
Renowned as a good-quality land use and zoning outfit, this firm provides a one-stop shop service that clients appreciate: “The lawyers always know what needs to be done, and take care of everything.” For transactions, the three-partner team provides advice and support across the board, while also tackling any necessary ancillary approvals and environmental issues. This year the lawyers acted for BlackRock Realty Advisors on the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in northern New Jersey, and handled a string of complex issues including riparian rights and environmental factors. The team represented developer Avidan Management in a range of projects including the acquisition of an industrial facility. Other clients include Federal Business Centers and First Industrial. Such clients say: “The lawyers do a darn good job, and our experience with the firm has been outstanding.”
Our firm’s attorneys receive high praise in this year’s Chambers USA guide, as follows:
David Farer is fêted as “one of the deans of the environmental Bar in New Jersey.” He has more than 20 years of experience in the sector and sources label him “a statewide expert on the Industrial Site Recovery Act.”
Jack Fersko is highly experienced in real estate and land use, and handles many matters with an environmental angle. Clients commend him as “an incredibly talented deal-maker who really moves the whole process smoothly from beginning to end.”
Richard Ericsson has the inside track on regulatory issues. “He is specifically experienced on all things environmental, and he delivers sophisticated advice and great customer service.”
Ann Waeger has a great national reputation, especially for environmental insurance and industrial and commercial real estate. Sources say “she is extremely responsive to queries and very efficient.” She is “definitely a force on the environmental front.” She is noted especially for her work on zoning and approvals.
Chambers USA is widely acknowledged and respected as an independent and objective professional benchmark within the legal community. Rankings are based upon research into the strengths and reputation of attorneys and law firms. The process includes extensive interviews with a wide range of sources, including colleagues, other attorneys and clients.