TRUSTEE
AT-LARGE

Dennis M. Galvin, Esq. is a partner in the firm’s Municipal, Real Estate and Land Use Departments.  A recognized leader in the fields of land use and local government law, he served as Chair of the Local Government Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association during 2011 and 2012 and served as First Vice Chair during 2009 and 2010.  Currently, he serves as an Assistant Counsel to the New Jersey Planning Officials. 

While frequently representing municipalities on zoning, municipal land use and local government issues throughout New Jersey, he also advises developers and individuals with their site plans and variance applications and has appeared before a variety of local boards. He has a background in the creation of Master Plans, Redevelopment Plans and Rehabilitation Plans. Dennis also has substantial experience in the areas of commercial litigation, business creation, business acquisition, landlord tenant law and collections.

Dennis’ extensive knowledge has earned him the position of Instructor at Rutgers State University in the areas of zoning law and municipal land use law.  He is also a frequent speaker on zoning, local government law and ethics.  Most recently, he was the moderator for a panel on Land Use at the New Jersey State Bar Association’s annual meeting.

Early in his career, Dennis was elected to serve as a Jackson Township Committee member; he now advises a number of local municipalities in various capacities, including:

• Attorney for Barnegat Rent Leveling Board (1992 - 1998)
• Fairfield Township Municipal Attorney (2009 – 2023)
• Fairfield Township Planning Board Attorney (2003 - 2009)
• Township of Franklin Municipal Ethics Board (Aug 2011 – Dec 2012)
• City of Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment Attorney (2010 – 2020)
• City of Hoboken Planning Board Conflict Attorney (2003 - 2005, 2013 – Present)
• Township of Holmdel Planning Board Conflict Attorney (2015 - 2020)
• Township of Jackson Special Counsel for Land Use Matters (2003)
• Township of Montclair Planning Board Conflict Attorney (2016 – Present)
• Town of Morristown Special Counsel (2004 - 2005)
• Point Pleasant Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment Attorney (1992 – 2021)
• Point Pleasant Beach Zoning Special Projects Attorney (2022 – 2023)
• Point Pleasant Beach Planning Board Attorney (2008 – 2020)
• Borough of Somerville Zoning Board of Adjustment, Attorney (2006 – 2020)
• Township of Stafford Planning Board Attorney (2019 – 2020)
• Township of Stafford Municipal Attorney (2020)
• City of Summit Zoning Board of Adjustment Attorney (2002 – 2020)

He has written numerous articles that have been published in the New Jersey Planner, the State League of Municipalities Magazine, the New Jersey Lawyer and the Local Government Law Review; he is currently the author of Local Government Law, 4^th Edition, New Jersey Practice (Volumes 34-35 A), published by West Services, Inc.

Dennis is a recipient of the Michael A. Pane IV Award for Ethics, established by the Pane Family and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, honoring a municipal professional who exemplifies the highest standards of ethics and whose work has significantly enhanced the integrity of local government.