Mitchell S. Berkey

With nearly four decades of experience on all sides of the transaction table, Mitch Berkey brings a business-oriented approach to his leadership of CSG Law’s Real Estate, Development & Land Use Group.

As chair of one of the largest real estate legal groups in the region, Mitch capitalizes on his combined business and legal acumen to navigate all aspects of real estate ventures and transactions, including acquisitions, sales, financing, development, leasing, management, loan workouts, ownership restructuring and resolution of intra-ownership disputes. His extensive background spans all asset types, including office, industrial, multifamily, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use properties in markets locally, regionally and across the nation.

Mitch spent the first half of his career in institutional real estate circles as both an attorney in large New York law firms and an asset manager for the real estate investment arm of a major international financial institution. Since joining CSG Law in 2003, his leadership has been evident guiding transactions and projects, expanding his team, and broadening the scope of CSG Law’s real estate practice from its traditional local and regional core strengths to acquisitions, sales and financings in markets throughout the United States. His relentless pursuit of superb legal talent and insistence on high-quality, creative work product have been integral in establishing a deep bench to facilitate one-stop shopping for client needs ranging from development to transactions, and navigating federal, state and local regulatory waters.

Among Mitch’s many proud moments in his career was CSG Law’s real estate team earning the 2021 Dealmakers of the Year by New Jersey Law Journal. Personally, Mitch’s accomplishments have been recognized in many circles, including recently being honored with the NJBIZ Icon Award, being named by The National Law Journal as a Real Estate and Construction Law Trailblazer, and being featured as one of ROI-NJ’s Real Estate Influencers. He has been chosen by his clients and peers to be listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA for Real Estate Law for many years.

Mitch has been an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Master of Science in Real Estate Development program at Columbia University and speaks often on real estate industry matters. His community activities include membership on the Board of Directors of DOROT, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the challenges of our older adult population, co-Chairing the Commerce & Industry Division of Israel Bonds, New Jersey, and serving in many capacities over the years at Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston, New Jersey.

Mitch received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, where he was editor-in chief of the Fordham Urban Law Journal.