W. Nevins McCann

Nevins McCann has been at the frontline of New Jersey’s legal and political landscape for many years. From major real estate projects to high-stakes litigation, he advises clients on some of the state’s most significant and high-profile legal developments. Nevins co-chairs the firm's Real Estate and Land Use, and Cannabis Law Groups.

In 2017, Nevins was named to New Jersey Governor-Elect Phil Murphy’s Transition 2018 team, a group of senior level industry and policy professionals tasked with analyzing issues and making recommendations to the new administration. In 2010, he was appointed to Governor Christie’s transition team, assisting the administration with issues facing the state Department of Transportation and New Jersey Transit.

Nevins is a highly regarded business partner who works closely with his clients to ensure the most successful operation and outcome for their companies. With an intimate understanding of regulatory issues and a vast network of relationships, he guides clients through challenging and often sensitive issues. His experience spans multiple industries and includes counsel related to:

• Real estate development and land use
• Corporate transactions
• Banking and financing
• Corporate compliance
• Internal investigations
• Cannabis law
• Commercial litigation
• Regulatory and governmental affairs
• Crisis management

In the real estate arena, Nevins guides developers through all phases of the development process. With extensive experience and relationships, he assists developers in locating and acquiring parcels, entering into development and redevelopment agreements, securing all necessary site permits, financing, construction, leasing and sales. Nevins has substantial experience executing mergers and acquisitions of all sizes, as well as negotiating and drafting a diverse array of complex contracts.

Nevins also maintains an active land use practice. He has obtained permits and approvals from planning and zoning boards throughout New Jersey for more than 10,000 residential units, 10 million square feet of office space, several million square feet of retail and industrial space, and multiple hotels and fractional/timeshare residences. He also completed the development of a world-class golf course, the Liberty National Golf Club, on the Hudson River in Jersey City.

As an offshoot of his real estate practice, Nevins represents clients before federal, state and local agencies on a broad spectrum of projects, including those affected by wetlands, meadowlands and waterfront development, as well as subject to CAFRA and other regulations. Redevelopers of brownfields and other blighted properties frequently seek his counsel, particularly tax abatement advice. Nevins also assists developers in registering projects with the New Jersey Division of Community Affairs and the NJ Real Estate Commission (NJREC). He was one of the first lawyers to file a fractional/time share plan with the NJREC under the Timeshare Act.

With his office and team based in Jersey City, Nevins has had a heavy hand in guiding many of the major developments that have transformed the City of Jersey City. He works very closely with the Mayor of Jersey City, the Jersey City Council and all of the City agencies in effectively and efficiently getting the job done.

Nevins also leads the Connell Foley LLP team advising on cannabis-related issues and opportunities. As a new industry in New Jersey, cannabis presents a thicket of regulatory, legal and political questions. Nevins combines his experience in all of these areas to help clients find opportunities and address new challenges. He currently serves on the board of the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association.

Nevins is chairman of the board of the Jersey City Medical Center Foundation and serves on the board of RWJBarnabas Health Jersey City Medical Center. He is also a proud Trustee of the Liberty Science Center.