George W. Matteo, Jr., an attorney with more than 30 years of experience in real estate, land use and financing in New Jersey, has joined Bisgaier Hoff as a partner.
With his extensive background in banking and finance, Matteo will bolster the firm’s transactional practice, as well as assist clients in financing complex commercial transactions. He is the former chairman, CEO and president of Cornerstone Bank, based in South Jersey.
“George’s presence and experience in all facets of the New Jersey real estate market and banking makes this a great fit for us,” said Managing Partner Rick Hoff. “While the goal of our firm is to continue to grow and expand our capabilities, the key is to do it with the right people. We could not be more pleased about his decision to join Bisgaier Hoff and take a leadership role in our ongoing expansion of service.”
Matteo has specialized in commercial transactions; commercial and residential real estate; commercial and residential zoning and planning; banking transactions; affordable housing land use and litigation; brownfields remediation and redevelopment and development projects before the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Matteo said he has observed the legal work of Carl Bisgaier and Rick Hoff, founders of Bisgaier Hoff, over the years, and has been continually impressed by the firm’s stellar reputation, intricate knowledge of real estate and ability to cut through the clutter.
“There is only one law firm in New Jersey that I would agree to become a partner; that firm is Bisgaier Hoff,” Matteo said. “I am pleased to be working with Carl, Rick and their talented team of attorneys. Together, we make a very formidable team.”
Matteo also brings Bisgaier Hoff the unique perspective of organizing and founding a community-based commercial bank before returning to law.
“Through George’s banking experience, he developed extensive high level banking, regulatory, investment banking and industry-wide relationships and was involved in a broad range of commercial transactions,” Hoff said. “He will be an enormous asset for our clients who can benefit from this unique perspective.”
Matteo has worked on numerous cases over the years, such as helping a national developer receive approval for hundreds of units, as well as handling the financing and refinancing of the approved communities. He has also guided the approval of a power facility on the Delaware River, litigated affordable housing cases resulting in the approval of hundreds of units and helped receive approvals for shopping centers, brownfield redevelopment projects and mixed use, single family and multifamily residential developments.
Matteo earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame and his law degree at Loyola University. He is a member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Bar.
