Law Firm Expands to 77,000 SF

David Simson, president of GVA Williams of New Jersey, Parsippany, acted as a consultant to Cole Schotz. The tenant was also represented in-house by attorneys Edward M. Schotz, Jan Alan Lewis and Michael E. Jones.

The owner of the complex, the locally based Alfred Sanzari Enterprises, had legal representation from attorneys Michael Sternlieb and Robyn A. Kowantz of the firm of Sternlieb and Dowd. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With the expansion, which will give Cole Schotz the ability to grow its present roster of 90 attorneys to 125, the firm will occupy more space than any law firm in Northern New Jersey, according to Jerry Barta, vice president and director of leasing and marketing for the Sanzari organization.

"The decision of Cole Schotz, our largest and one of our longest-standing tenants, to expand and extend its commitment is gratifying," Barta says, who notes that the firm has been on Sanzari's tenant roster since 1986. "It's evidence of the appeal Court Plaza has to the legal community and other professional firms."

As part of its expansion at Court Plaza, Cole Schotz is adding a full-service conference center to its facilities. The Livingston, NJ-based Rotwein & Blake is designing the expansion space. Court Plaza itself is getting some upgrades, according to Barta. The 75-year-old Sanzari organization is adding a new cafeteria, a fitness center and shared conference rooms with high-speed Internet access to the property.

"Progressive firms are returning to central business districts," Barta says. "They see value in tighter integration and availability of services, access to large pools of employment talent and greater interaction with the business community."

Cole Schotz, which also has a New York City office, is organized into a dozen primary practices, including real estate, corporate, environmental, tax, mediation and arbitration, among others.