Jason Holt, Former Atlantic City Business Administrator and Corporation Counsel to East Orange, Joins CSG

January 6, 2020

Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (“CSG”) is pleased to announce that Jason Holt, a seasoned attorney with more than two decades of experience in local government, municipal corporations, turnaround strategy, litigation and fiscal management, has joined the firm as a member in its Real Estate, Development & Land Use and Property Taxation & Valuation Groups.

Holt was previously with Atlantic City’s Department of Administration, where he originally served as City Solicitor charged with overseeing the municipality’s legal affairs. In 2016, he was selected by the DCA as the city’s Business Administrator to assist in the implementation of the Municipal Stabilization & Recovery Act. In this capacity, he directed the city on its course toward revitalization through the negotiation of several hundred million dollars of tax appeals and the effective management of casino closures, fiscal volatility, major bankruptcy matters and an unprecedented drop in its tax base.

In addition, Holt previously served as Corporation Counsel to the City of East Orange, where he oversaw the broad spectrum of the city’s legal affairs – including the introduction of major redevelopment projects, litigation of high-profile lawsuits encompassing employment practices, challenges to municipal legislation, in rem foreclosures and bankruptcy matters. Notably, while serving East Orange, he played a pivotal role as advisor to the city’s Police Department and assisted in the enhancement of policing techniques, which reduced the city’s crime rate to State and national record-breaking levels at the time.

He has held additional high-profile roles within Essex County – including Municipal Court Judge for the City of Orange Township, Deputy Freeholder Counsel to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Director of Affirmative Action for the County of Essex – as well as in Trenton, as Deputy Legislative Counsel to the New Jersey Senate & General Assembly through the Office of Legislative Services.

Holt will draw upon his deep experience navigating the political and economic challenges that arise throughout the redevelopment process to assist municipalities and developers in drafting and negotiating redevelopment plans and agreements, as well as Payment in Lieu of Taxes (“PILOT”) agreements, tax appeals and tax exemptions.

“Jason’s dynamic background as both a lawyer and municipal leader brings a fresh perspective to the negotiating table,” said Francis J. Giantomasi, a member with CSG’s Real Estate, Development & Land Use Group. “His understanding of the legal conditions needed for successful municipal planning, and also the business drivers that make these deals mutually beneficial and sustainable, will undoubtedly add value to our client advisory teams.”

“I am excited about beginning this new chapter in my career with a firm as extraordinarily well-respected and uniquely attuned to the needs of the municipalities and businesses it serves,” said Holt. “I look forward to drawing upon my background by deepening these relationships and providing forward-thinking counsel that extends beyond the ordinary into collaborative community building.”

A graduate of Cornell University and Rutgers University School of Law, Holt is licensed to practice in New Jersey and before various federal jurisdictions, including the United States Supreme Court. He holds a diplomate in New Jersey Local Government Law.