John D. Cromie

As a co-chair of the Corporate and Business Law practice and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, John Cromie is an exceptionally experienced business lawyer. He represents entities ranging from Fortune 100 public companies to privately owned mid‑cap enterprises and startup ventures on a wide range of real estate and financing transactions. He is well-versed in the area of mergers and acquisitions, as well as in the purchase, sale, leasing and development of commercial real estate. John also has significant experience representing lenders and documenting asset-based and real estate-based commercial loans and credit facilities, and is a member of the firm's Public Finance Group. In addition, he advises companies on Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, and has substantial experience advising clients regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

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

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

Pro Bono

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

Corporate Business/Business/Banking
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

• Representation of buyer in acquisition of stock of seller (and related real estate development) engaged in the business 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
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

• Preliminary and final site plan approval for conversion of age-restricted residential project in Piscataway, New Jersey, to 130 market rate single-family homes
• Preliminary and final site plan approval for approximately 40,000 sq. ft. retail site location located on 6.7 acres of 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 community situated 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 a 20-acre tract in Edison, New Jersey
• Preliminary and final subdivision and site plan approval and acquisition of seven-acre tract in Springfield, New Jersey 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, and preparation and negotiation of 13 retail leases; representation ultimately involved the sale of the completed projects to a third party, and included negotiation of the contract and related transactional work

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

Chambers USA (2021-2024)

• Corporate/M&A - New Jersey

• Corporate Law
• Real Estate Law
• Lawyer of the Year (Newark): Real Estate Law (2016)

• Business Law (2006, 2009-2023)

• Top 100 (2016, 2017, 2020, 2021)