James P. White Jr. has more than 40 years of experience in representing clients, mainly in real property and land use transactions, including:  the acquisition, sale, financing, development and leasing of real property; applications to municipal agencies including Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Zoning Boards of Appeals, Boards of Tax Assessment and the like for permits, approvals and adjustments; and in general all matters involving all aspects of real property and land use law.

In addition, Mr. White has and continues to act as counsel to closely held business entities in Connecticut.  Such entities include start up businesses as well as established companies.  His role is that of providing general business advice and services and referring specialized aspects of business issues such as tax matters and security matters to other members of the firm with the appropriate expertise. 

Jim’s real estate representation is generally centered around commercial real estate matters but has also included residential development, financing and closing transactions.  He has represented purchasers and sellers of all forms of real estate, farm entities, municipalities, landlords and tenants, and financing institutions in real estate related projects.

His experience includes representation of applicants in several towns in Connecticut (and clients who oppose applications) in the land use process including before Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Zoning Board of Appeals and other municipal boards and agencies; he has also been involved on a periodic basis with Connecticut Transfer Act filings, tax assessment and revaluation controversies and matters involving title, easement (including conservation easement) and tax classification issues.

Over the years, Mr. White has served as town counsel to the Connecticut towns of Monroe (23 years) and Darien (two years).  He continues to represent municipalities as special counsel in matters within his areas of expertise.  He also represents individuals and entities who do business with municipalities and/or oppose municipal actions. 

Representative Experience

•  Representation of a Connecticut real estate developer in the acquisition of land, development of property, leasing and financing of a retail/office shopping center, including establishment of ownership entities and closing on construction and thereafter permanent financing;
• Representation of a Connecticut entity in the sale of more than 40 gasoline service stations (including leaseholds and fee interests)  in Connecticut and a neighboring jurisdiction;
• Representation of a Connecticut entity owner of an office building in the condominiumization of the property and the distribution of the units to the dissolving and liquidating entities’ members;
• Representation of a Connecticut municipality in the acquisition of open space property, the sale of a portion thereof and preparation of a conservation agreement and easement in conjunction with governmental financing grants;
• Representation of a property owner in the sale of development rights and negotiation of conservation easement with respect to farmland; 
• Representation of a purchaser of a strip retail/office center including formation of ownership entity, review of leases and status of land use permits and approvals and closing on mortgage financing and title;
• Representation of seller of a village shopping center;
• Ongoing representation of shopping center owner including matters involving center expansion (i.e. of non-conformities), leasing and tenant issues;
• Representation of applicant to obtain variances, Inland Wetlands Permit, Special Permit and Site Plan approval, as well as associated other municipal approvals for the redevelopment and expansion of a gas station into a gas station convenience store facility;
• Representation of a municipality in controversy involving the status of a forest land assessment classification for municipal property tax purposes on property owned by a commercial enterprise;
• Representation of a non-profit entity in the purchase of land from a municipality.

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Connecticut Bar Association - Executive Committee, Real Estate Section; Planning and Zoning Section; Environmental Law Committee
• Greater Bridgeport Bar Association
• International Council of Shopping Centers 

Community Involvement

• Shelton Economic Development Corporation - board of directors
• Monroe Inland Wetlands Agency - former member and chairman

Honors & Awards

• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of real estate law
• Selected to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 in the area of real estate