During his tenure with Toll Brothers, Araten managed a $7-million budget and an internal and external legal staff that encompasses 100 law firms and 250 attorneys in 21 states. His responsibilities included land use, zoning, mergers and acquisitions, toxic torts, condemnations and general liability. In that capacity he negotiated some of the homebuilders' most contentious land-use approvals and assisted in obtaining favorable judgments that resulted in $425 million in revenue for the company.

O'Neill's portfolio consists of more than $4 billion in real estate, much of which is brownfields development. It focuses primarily on the acquisition of surplus industrial and military property, which it converts into mixed-use office and residential developments. As a consequence, "the effective resolution of zoning, land use, and environmental issues becomes critical to our future growth," says Brian O'Neill, founder and chairman. "Michael's experience adds to our deep pool of talent and will accelerate our business plan as we emerge as a national player," he adds.

Citing O'Neill's ability to capitalize on the opportunities that brownfields development presents for recycling former industrial and military sites into mixed-use living environments, Araten says he's convinced "that O'Neill Properties is positioned to fully realize this opportunity nationally."