john d. cromie · councilman in allendale, bergen county, new jersey. prior to joining the firm, he...

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ROSELAND JERSEY CITY NEWARK NEW YORK CHERRY HILL PHILADELPHIA

John D. CromieChair, Corporate and Business LawT 973.535.0500F [email protected]

56 LIVINGSTON AVENUE * ROSELAND, NJ 07068

PRACTICE AREAS

Real Estate and Land Use

Banking and CommercialLending

Construction

Public Finance

Cannabis Law

Corporate and Business Law

Health Care

CLERKSHIPS

Honorable Daniel J. O’Hern,Associate Justice, SupremeCourt of New Jersey(1987-1988)

EDUCATION

Seton Hall University Schoolof Law (J.D., cum laude,1987)

University of Notre Dame(B.A., Economics, 1984)

Seton Hall Prep

As chair of the Corporate and Business Law practice and a member of thefirm’s Executive Committee, John Cromie is an exceptionally experiencedbusiness lawyer. He represents entities ranging from Fortune 100 publiccompanies to privately owned mid-cap enterprises and startup ventures on awide range of real estate and financing transactions. He is well-versed in thearea of mergers and acquisitions, as well as in the purchase, sale, leasing anddevelopment of commercial real estate. John also has significant experiencerepresenting lenders and documenting asset-based and real estate-basedcommercial loans and credit facilities. In addition, he advises companies onSmall Business Administration (SBA) loans, in particular as relates to theCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

John often serves as outside general counsel to his clients, working withclosely held businesses in a variety of industries, including construction,manufacturing, specialty chemical and health care. He provides a “one stopshop” for in-house legal teams, who appreciate his responsiveness, efficiencyand practical approach to finding solutions to their day-to-day legal issues aswell as more complex matters, such as succession planning.

In addition to his legal practice, John served three terms as a BoroughCouncilman in Allendale, Bergen County, New Jersey. Prior to joining thefirm, he completed a clerkship with the Honorable Daniel J. O’Hern,Associate Justice, Supreme Court of New Jersey (1987-1988). He is theImmediate Past Chair of USLAW NETWORK, Inc., an attorney referral networkcomprised of over 6,000 attorneys in the United States, Canada, Mexico,



ADMISSIONS

New Jersey

New York

United States District Courtfor the District of New Jersey

South America and Europe.

John D. Cromie



Pro Bono

● Board of Directors - Oasis: A Haven for Women and Children● Holiday Observers, Inc.● Eva’s Village

Experience

Representative Experience

Corporate Business/Business/Banking

● Representation of buyer in acquisition of stock of seller (and related real estate development) engaged in thebusiness of bus repair and maintenance, Jersey City, New Jersey

● Representation of lender in connection with credit facility to America’s largest flag maker● Representation of individual shareholder in sale of stock (and partnership interests in real estate affiliate) of

family-owned closely held business● Representation of privately owned multi-national company as Special Counsel in connection with a $1 billion

note offering● Representation of physician group in connection with the formation, licensing, construction, and operation of

state of the art ambulatory surgical center● Representation of tax exempt higher educational borrower in connection with $74.1 million tax exempt bond

issuance through the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority● Representation of seller in connection with the sale of assets of a lumber yard to a regional lumber company● Representation of seller in connection with the sale of assets of a specialty contracting company● Representation of buyer in connection with purchase of 6.5-acre undeveloped Palisades Park, New Jersey

parcel out of Bankruptcy Court

Real Estate and Land Use

● Preliminary and final site plan approval for conversion of age-restricted residential project in Piscataway, NewJersey, to 130 market rate single-family homes

John D. Cromie



● Preliminary and final site plan approval for approximately 40,000 sq. ft. retail site location located on 6.7 acresof prime commercial real estate at the corner of Eagle Rock Avenue and Eisenhower Parkway in Roseland,New Jersey

● Preliminary and final subdivision and site plan approval to construct a 412-unit residential communitysituated on 30 acres in Piscataway, New Jersey

● Closing of title to and acquisition of preliminary and final site plan and subdivision approval with respect to a20-acre tract in Edison, New Jersey

● Preliminary and final subdivision and site plan approval and acquisition of seven-acre tract in Springfield, NewJersey in connection with construction of a 100,000 sq. ft. self-storage facility

● Sale of 100+ acres of commercial real estate in South Brunswick, New Jersey● Negotiation of several commercial leases involving tenant space in excess of 100,000 sq. ft. of prime

commercial office space in the aggregate● Approximately 35,000 sq. ft. retail project located on Eisenhower Parkway in Roseland, New Jersey; project

involved substantial corporate restructuring, preliminary and final site plan approval, financings, andpreparation and negotiation of 13 retail leases; representation ultimately involved the sale of the completedprojects to a third party, and included negotiation of the contract and related transactional work

Activities

Professional and Community Affiliations

● Associate Member Council, Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ)● Fellow, American Bar Foundation● Board of Directors - Oasis: A Haven for Women and Children● Board Member, Notre Dame Lawyers of New York City● Member, Legislative Committee of Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (“CIANJ”)● Immediate Past Chair of Board of Directors; Emerging Industries Director; Member and Past Chair of Business

and Advisory Services Practice Group; and Member of Banking/Financial Services Practice Group of USLAWNetwork, Inc.

● Member, Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC)● Associate Member and Counsel, Associated General Contractors of New Jersey, Inc.

John D. Cromie



● Associate Member and Counsel, Real Estate Lenders Association−New Jersey Chapter● Member, Steering Committee for the Financial Decision Makers Roundtable of Commerce and Industry

Association of New Jersey (CIANJ)● Former Member, Supreme Court of New Jersey District Ethics Committee● American Bar Association, Business Law Section● New Jersey State Bar Association, Business Law Section● Essex County Bar Association

Presentations

● Speaker, "Commercial Real Estate Lending from the Lawyers' Perspective," RELA New Jersey Legal PanelPresentation; Roseland, NJ (November 2018)

● Speaker, "Ethics for Real Estate Professionals," NAIOP's "Building a Better NJ" series; Roseland, NJ (October2018)

● Speaker, “Fintech Technology: Do you Accept Bitcoin?” Fall 2018 USLAW NETWORK Client Conference;Montreal, QC (September 2018)

● Moderator, "The State of Real Estate in New Jersey," Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) seminar; WestOrange, NJ (February 2018)

● Speaker, “Common Problems Arising With Commercial Leases and How To Deal With Them,” USLAW Network,Inc., Webinar (January 2017)

● Speaker, “A View from Above – The Use of Drones in Construction,” ACCNJ Construction Law for ConstructionProfessionals program; Edison, NJ (October 2016)

● Speaker, “Data Privacy Issues and Concerns with International Business,” USLAW/TELFA Cross Border Businessand Transactions Exchange; Chicago, IL (September 2016)

● Speaker, "Careful Drafting of Contract Provisions: REPs and Warranties, Indemnification, Arbitration, Dealingwith Cloud Based Software Solutions," USLAW Network, Inc., Business Litigation Exchange; San Francisco, CA(June 2016)

● Speaker, "Legal Issues for Manufacturers," NJMEP/CIANJ Speed Dating for Manufacturers (April 2015)● Moderator/panelist, “Breaking Up Can Be Hard to Do: Practical Advice on How to Use Carrots and Sticks in

Executive Compensation Agreements,” USLAW Network, Inc., Fall 2014 Conference (September 2014)

John D. Cromie



● Moderator, “Know the Privacy Laws: Protect Your Data to Protect Your Business,” Commerce and IndustryAssociation of New Jersey (CIANJ) Financial Decision Makers Roundtable (May 2014)

● Speaker, "Ethical Dilemmas and Conflict Issues for Business Lawyers" Connell Foley Continuing legal EducationProgram (December 2013)

● Speaker, "Damage Control: Avoiding and Minimizing Consequential and Liquidating Damages” USLAWNetwork, Inc., Fall 2013 Conference (October 2013)

● Speaker, “Succession Planning and Exit Strategies in the Sale of a Business” USLAW Network, Inc., Fall 2012Conference (October 2012)

● Moderator, "Your Business is Successful, Now What?” Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey(CIANJ) Financial Decision Makers Council Conference (September 2012)

● “New Jersey Supreme Court Expands Liability for Corporate Directors, Shareholders, Officers and Employeesunder Business Fraud Act,” USLAW Network, Inc., Fall 2011 Conference (October 2011)

● "Advice on How to Navigate Through Complex Lending Market," USLAW Radio (February 2011)● “Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements in Mergers and Acquisitions,” Excesense Webinar (April

2010)● “A Transactional Attorney’s Perspective on Deals that End in Litigation,” USALAW Network, Inc. Fall 2010

Conference● “Acquiring Assets of Troubled Companies In and Out of Bankruptcy,” USLAW Network, Inc. Fall 2009

Conference (September 2009)

Honors

Best Lawyers in America (2011-2020)

● Corporate Law● Real Estate Law● "Lawyer of the Year," Real Estate Law - Newark (2016)

New Jersey Super Lawyers, Business Law (2006, 2009-2020)

● "Top 100," New Jersey Super Lawyers (2016, 2017,2020)Irish Legal 100, The Irish Voice (2017-2019)

John D. Cromie



News

34 Connell Foley Attorneys Named to 2020 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 03.18.2020

Connell Foley Partners Named to 2019 Irish Legal 10010.24.2019

Connell Foley Participates in Inaugural USLAW Recruiting Forum10.15.2019

Connell Foley Attorneys Named to 2020 Best Lawyers in AmericaThe Best Lawyers in America©, 08.15.2019

38 Connell Foley Attorneys Named to New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising StarsSuper Lawyers - Thomson Reuters, 03.12.2019

Connell Foley Partners Named to 2018 Irish Legal 10011.08.2018

Connell Foley Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers in AmericaThe Best Lawyers in America©, 08.15.2018

John Cromie To Be Honored at Inaugural Lawyers & Accountants Dinner05.31.2018

39 Connell Foley Attorneys Named to New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising StarsSuper Lawyers - Thomson Reuters, 03.19.2018

Five Connell Foley Partners Named to 2017 Irish Legal 10010.26.2017

John Cromie Named Chair of USLAW NETWORK09.11.2017

Connell Foley Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers® in America08.15.2017

John D. Cromie



John Cromie Named Vice Chair of USLAW NETWORK06.27.2017

37 Connell Foley Attorneys Named to New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars03.14.2017

Cromie Provides Advice to Family-Owned Businesses in COMMERCE Magazine01.18.2017

Cromie Presents on Commercial Leases for USLAW Webinar01.12.2017

Cromie Appointed to Board of Notre Dame Lawyers of NYC12.21.2016

Connell Foley Advises on NJEFA Bond Issued on Behalf of Seton Hall University11.04.2016

Cromie Featured in COMMERCE Magazine Article on Advice to Entrepreneurs11.02.2016

Cromie Presents on Commercial Leases at USLAW Client Conference09.27.2016

Cromie Presents on Drone Use in Construction Industry09.27.2016

Cromie and Randall Present at USLAW/TELFA Cross Border Business Conference09.23.2016

Connell Foley Attorneys Named to 2017 Best Lawyers in America08.16.2016

John Cromie Appointed to ACCNJ Associate Member Council08.15.2016

Cromie Presents at USLAW Business Exchange06.10.2016

John D. Cromie



Three Connell Foley Partners Nominated to Prestigious Fellows of American Bar Foundation05.25.2016

38 Connell Foley Attorneys Named to 2016 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars03.2016

35 Connell Foley Attorneys Selected to New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars03.08.2016

Cromie Quoted on Considerations in Starting a New Business03.02.2016

John D. Cromie Authors Chapter on Effective Due Diligence11.06.2015

17 Connell Foley Attorneys Named to 2016 Best Lawyers in America List08.18.2015

John Cromie Presents on Legal Issues Facing Manufacturers06.12.2015

Cromie and Mody Co-author USLAW Article on Risk Allocation in Commercial Agreements04.20.2015

Cromie Quoted on “Slashing Through Red Tape”01.22.2015

John Cromie Appointed to USLAW Executive Committee11.04.2014

Connell Foley LLP Hosts RELA NJ Program "An In-Depth Look at the New Jersey Real Estate Market"09.10.2014

13 Connell Foley Attorneys Named to 2015 Best Lawyers® in America List08.22.2014

12 Connell Foley Partners Named to 2014 New Jersey's Best Lawyers2014

John D. Cromie



Four Connell Foley Partners Were Active in The Organization and Presentation of USLAW’s “General CounselGlobal Symposium” and The “Driving the Dialogue” Exchange Series07.30.2014

Connell Foley Partner John D. Cromie Contributed to Commerce Magazine's Article, "Exiting Your Business onTop: You Can Learn from Jay Leno"07.29.2014

40 Connell Foley Attorneys Selected to New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars03.21.2014

Cromie Authors Chapter for Aspatore Mergers and Acquisition Law 201403.20.2014

NJSBA Business Law Section Newsletter Features John D. Cromie and Noel D. Humphrey's Article, “SuccessfulStrategies Under New Jersey’s RULLCA’s Not Reasonably Practicable Standard”11.01.2013

USLAW Magazine Features John D. Cromie and Noel D. Humphreys' Article, "Popular Approaches to JudicialDissolution of an LLC Under RULLCA’s 'NOT REASONABLY PRACTICABLE' Standard"10.14.2013

Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal Features Connell Foley Partner John D. Cromie's Article "Term Sheets, ProposalLetters and Commitment Letters: Practical Advice for Real Estate Developers"09.03.2013

12 Connell Foley Attorneys Named in 2013 Best Lawyers04.05.2013

32 Connell Foley Attorneys Selected to New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars03.2013

John D. Cromie Appointed to CIANJ's Legislative Committee01.21.2013

John D. Cromie



John Cromie Adds Expertise to Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, Through Role LeadingFinancial Decision Makers Roundtable10.16.2012

John Cromie Continues on Board of Directors for USLAW Network Inc., With Two-Year Term Re-Appointment10.16.2012

John Cromie Moderates Panel at CIANJ's Financial Decision Makers Council Roundtable10.16.2012

LEED Certification Advised on by Cromie and Rhatican Highlighted in New Jersey & Company06.29.2012

Connell Foley Expands Involvement in USLAW Network06.20.2012

Cromie Featured in NJBIZ Article on Transactional Lawyers and Current Economic Turbulence06.20.2012

Cromie and Villani Represent Seton Hall University in $7,955,000 Bond Refinancing and New Jersey EducationalFacilities Tax-Exempt Equipment Lease Financing06.20.2012

Cromie and Villani Represent Physicians in Connection with Opening of Ambulatory Surgery Center06.20.2012

John Cromie Appointed to the Advisory Board of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey’sFinancial Roundtable06.20.2012

Connell Foley Closes Sale of Assets of Lumber 1 and Lumber Barn, Inc. To Kuiken Brothers Company, Inc.06.20.2012

Cromie and Randall Named to Leadership Posts at USLAW Network06.20.2012

Cromie and Scuderi Offer Advice on How to Navigate Today's Complex Lending Market06.20.2012

John D. Cromie



Cromie Authors Chapter for Aspatore Thought Leadership Series06.20.2012

Cromie and Villani Represent Seton Hall University in Issuance of Substitute Letter of Credit Securing New JerseyEducational Facilities Tax-Exempt Bonds06.20.2012

John Cromie, Noel Humphreys and Monica Seth Represent Limestone Hills Corp. in Connection with Purchase of6.5-Acre Undeveloped Palisades Park Parcel out of Bankruptcy Court06.20.2012

John Cromie, Noel Humphreys and Joseph Villani Represent Bank of America NA in Connection with Loan toAmerica’s Largest Flagmaker06.20.2012

Cromie and Villani Represent Seton Hall University in $74,100,000 Bond Refinancing06.19.2012

Cromie, Humphreys, and Villani Represent Hexion Specialty Chemicals in Connection with $1 Billion NoteOffering06.19.2012

Partner John D. Cromie Featured in New Jersey Business Magazine06.15.2012

2012 Super Lawyers: 27 Connell Foley New Jersey Super Lawyers and 10 Rising Stars05.16.2012

Ten Connell Foley Partners Named to 2012 Best Lawyers Directory09.29.2011

2011 Super Lawyers: 20 Connell Foley Attorneys, Top 50 Women New Jersey Super Lawyers, and Rising Stars04.29.2011

New York's Best Legal Representation Found at Connell Foley Affirmed by Best Lawyers12.23.2010

John D. Cromie



Cromie, Falanga, Randall, and Shadiack Present at USLAW Fall Client Conference10.28.2010

Ten Connell Foley Partners Named to 2011 Best Lawyers Directory08.26.2010

Cromie, Fleder, Smith and Shadiak Present at NJAGC’s Legal Issues Seminar (June 2009)06.19.2009

Speaking Engagements

John Cromie Participates in RELA's "Loan Work Out Discussion" PanelConnell Foley LLP - 56 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, 02.13.2020

John Cromie Presents on Two USLAW Panels: International Competition and General Counsel ForumWashington, D.C., 09.28.2019

John Cromie Panelist at RELA Presentation “Commercial Real Estate Lending from the Lawyers' Perspective”Connell Foley LLP - 56 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, 11.28.2018

John Cromie and Robert Podvey Present Ethics for Real Estate Professionals56@Roseland, 10.24.2018

John Cromie Presents on Bitcoin in FintechMontreal, QC, September 6-8, 2018

McGovern and Randall Present at USLAW Professional Liability Exchange05.17.2018

John Cromie Moderates ACG NJ Program on NJ Real Estate MarketPleasantdale Chateau, 02.20.2018

Publications

John Cromie Authors Article on Application of Surety Bonds Beyond Construction IndustryUSLAW Magazine, Fall 2019

John D. Cromie



John Cromie Contributes to Article on NJ Business Environment for EntrepreneursCOMMERCE Magazine, 08.2019

Co-author, "Blockchain Technology and the Acceleration of Change"USLAW Magazine, Spring/Summer 2018

Cromie Provides Advice to Family-Owned BusinessesCOMMERCE Magazine , 11.2016

Cromie and Dalo Author Article Reviewing Business Judgment Rule in Breach of Duty ClaimsUSLAW Magazine, Fall/Winter 2016

Cromie Authors Chapter on Effective Due Diligence10.23.2015

NJSBA Business Law Section Newsletter Features John D. Cromie and Noel D. Humphrey's Article, “SuccessfulStrategies Under New Jersey’s RULLCA’s Not Reasonably Practicable Standard”07.27.2015

USLAW Magazine Features John D. Cromie and Noel D. Humphreys' Article, "Popular Approaches to JudicialDissolution of an LLC Under RULLCA’s 'NOT REASONABLY PRACTICABLE' Standard"07.27.2015

John Cromie and Noel Humphreys Authors "Officers Owe Corporations the Same Fiduciary Duties That DirectorsOwe"07.27.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "New Consequences for Fraudulent Dealings with the State of New Jersey"07.24.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "Contractors Beware: Recent Regulatory Enactments Require Additional Compliance"07.24.2015

John Cromie and Noel Humphreys Authors “Courts Press Expansive View of Arbitration Clauses”07.24.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "State Contractors Prohibited From Making Campaign Contribution"07.24.2015

John D. Cromie



John Cromie Co-authors "Steel Price Escalation Threatens NJ Contractors – A Proposed Two-Part Solution"07.24.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "Shifting Risk for Unknown Subsurface Site Conditions in State and Federal Projects"07.24.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "Set-Aside Act Amended to Remove State Contract Set-Asides for Minority Owned andFemale Owned Business"07.24.2015

John Cromie Featured in New Jersey Business Article "Succession Success"07.24.2015

John Cromie, Stephen Falanga and James Jacobus Authors “Letters of Credit Offer Landlords Protection AgainstTenant Bankruptcies"07.24.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "Secured Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act"07.24.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "Secured Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act"07.24.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "Court Stakes a Middle Ground On Free Speech in Shopping Malls"07.24.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "Secured Credit Exemption Upheld"07.24.2015

John Cromie Co-authors "M&A Advice in Troubled Times"07.23.2015

John Cromie Authors "Mergers, Acquisitions, Market Turbulence and the Credit Crunch"07.23.2015

John Cromie Authors "Practical Advice for Seeking Credit in a Tight Lending Market"07.23.2015

John D. Cromie



John Cromie Authors "Accounting Changes for Real Estate Leases are Looming"07.23.2015

John Cromie and Noel Humphreys Authors “Hurdle for the Unwary: How To Pay Independent Contractors”07.23.2015

John Cromie and Noel Humphreys Authors “Responsible Officer Doctrine: California Appellate CaseDemonstrates How a Corporate Officer Can Become Personally Liable”07.23.2015

John Cromie Co-authors article "Data Breaches Responsibilities"07.23.2015

John Cromie and Noel Humphreys Authors “Data Breaches: Will You Be Protected? Six Essential Questions to AskYour Target Company"07.23.2015

John Cromie and Mark Fleder Authors "Ensuring Success"07.23.2015

Cromie Featured in NJBIZ Article on Transactional Lawyers and Current Economic Turbulence07.16.2015

Cromie Authors Chapter for Aspatore Thought Leadership Series07.13.2015

Cromie Authors Chapter for Aspatore Mergers and Acquisition Law 201407.01.2015

Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal Features Connell Foley Partner John D. Cromie's Article "Term Sheets, ProposalLetters and Commitment Letters: Practical Advice for Real Estate Developers"07.01.2015

Cromie and Mody Co-author USLAW Article on Risk Allocation in Commercial Agreements07.01.2015

Cromie Quoted on “Slashing Through Red Tape”07.01.2015

John D. Cromie



Connell Foley Partner John D. Cromie Contributed to Commerce Magazine's Article, "Exiting Your Business onTop: You Can Learn from Jay Leno"07.01.2015

Co-author, "Employees Now Protected Against Retaliation For Merely Requesting FMLA Leave"New Jersey Constructor magazine, Issue 2, 2010

Blog Posts

Key Points of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility ActLegal Blogs and Updates, 06.08.2020

Summary of Financial Assistance Available to Small Businesses Under the CARES ActLegal Blogs and Updates, 03.29.2020

John D. Cromie

john d. cromie · councilman in allendale, bergen county, new jersey. prior to joining the firm, he...

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