- Aileen Brennan concentrates her practice in redevelopment, land use, eminent domain, and airport-related issues. She has extensive experience as both a transactional attorney and as a litigator.
Ms. Brennan has negotiated and drafted complex redevelopment agreements on behalf of both governmental agencies and redevelopers for a number of high-profile projects throughout New Jersey, including in Newark, Hoboken, Asbury Park, and in Fort Monmouth.
Her representation has included all aspects of the redevelopment process, including land acquisition, the drafting of redevelopment plans, enabling legislation, and PILOT agreements. She routinely defends redevelopment designations and plans in litigation on behalf of both developers and municipalities.
Ms. Brennan also prosecutes and defends actions in the Superior Court challenging governmental actions related to all aspects of land use- including challenging Board approvals and denials, and zoning ordinances.
Ms. Brennan has extensive experience in the acquisition and development of open space and parklands. She has been involved in several multi-year efforts to acquire and develop land in urban municipalities for riverfront parks. She is well-versed in issues related to the acquisition, funding, and conservation of parkland in New Jersey.
She also appears in front of Planning and Zoning Boards, municipal councils, and redevelopment agencies on behalf of clients.
Ms. Brennan has also counseled businesses and communities related to aviation and airports regarding compliance with federal regulations, and has developed OSHA-required coursework for airport employees.
Leadership
- Member, Essex County Bar Association, Chair, Land Use and Redevelopment Committee
- Member, Mercer County Bar Association
Representative Matters
- Negotiated the rehabilitation of a landmark building into four stories of affordable housing, partially financed with guaranteed loan funding made available by the United State Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Handled condemnation proceedings necessary for the assemblage of a critical development site. Utilizing eminent domain, acquired several parcels of land in Newark that is now the site of a warehouse, which has generated 300-400 new jobs.
- Advised major entertainment company in all aspects of redevelopment process in Central New Jersey
- Drafted and successfully defended controversial zoning ordinance which enabled conversion of parking lots into mixed-use residential high-rises
- Before she was an attorney, Ms. Brennan was a duty manager for a major airline. In her spare time she enjoys traveling.
Pro Bono
- Immigration Equality, representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in asylum proceedings
- Partners for Women in Justice, representation of victims of domestic violence
