LAW+ / COVER STORY | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) helps business executives avoid litigation.
In business, lawsuits are a fact of life. And by their nature, lawsuits tend to be time-consuming and stressful, not to mention costly, for both the winning and losing parties.
NEW JERSEY REAL ESTATE ECONOMIC SURVIVAL CONFERENCE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
The economy, competitiveness, and politics provoked lively panel discussions at ScheinMedia’s New Jersey Real Estate Economic Survival Conference.
The state of the economy, the question of New Jersey’s economic competitiveness, the various state incentives that have been rolled out over the past year, and the gubernatorial election—all the current key topics were raised during panel discussions at the New Jersey Real Estate Economic Survival Conference in Newark.
GREENING THE GARDEN STATE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
With new grants for energy-efficient construction, economic development has never been so green.
In early August, the latest incentive addition to Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s Energy Master Plan (EMP) was unveiled. Under the Energy Master Plan, Corzine hopes to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent and create at least 30 percent of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
FOCUS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
An innovative national alliance of nonprofits helps communities stave off foreclosure crisis.
Last spring, a revolutionary program to help stave off a wave of housing foreclosures was launched in Northern New Jersey. An alliance of nonprofit groups purchased the defaulted mortgages of 47 abandoned and crumbling homes in the Newark area with plans for refurbishing and reselling them to fight neighborhood blight.
Q & A | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
New Jersey Hall of Fame’s 2010 nominees include famed Princeton-based architect Michael Graves.
Internationally renowned architect and product designer Michael Graves has lived and worked in Princeton since 1964. His many celebrated buildings include the Humana Building in Louisville, KY (named by Time magazine as one of the 10 best buildings of the decade) and the restoration of the Washington Monument.
BUCKING THE TREND | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
In the midst of recession, outsourcing CFOs is a popular option—for strapped clients and out-of-work CFOs.
In an economy where all businesses are desperately grappling with the ugly necessities of staying afloat—including ever-growing accounts receivables and longer-than-ever sales cycles—it’s more crucial than ever that companies focus on core competencies.
FOCUS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
New Jersey fishermen rally behind offshore wind farm projects for economic boost, emissions reduction.
The commercial fishing industry, backed by some environmental preservationists, has long opposed offshore wind farming for the production of energy. Now, however, it appears that Fishermen’s Energy—a development company founded by a commercial fisherman—is one of several companies emerging as leaders in the push to bring wind-produced energy to New Jersey.
FOCUS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
With the Gateway project, New Brunswick becomes known as a city of TODs.
The case for transit-oriented developments [TOD] is stronger in a downturn than during a bull market,” writes Tali Trigg at ClimateBiz.com. “Recent research suggests that TOD provides more of a buffer against an economic downturn and can be more of a boon for the next boom. But who’s going to believe that?”
PRO FORMA | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
Good solid growth next year? Unlikely, but not impossible.
It might be an exaggeration to predict an economic “miracle” for 2010 as New Jersey, the United States and, indeed the world sees a recovery. On the other hand, even a solid rebound next year from the depths of late 2008 and early 2009 might qualify for minor miracle status, considering how close the world came to the edge of a Depression-like abyss only about a year ago.
NEXT? | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
EDA incentives help small businesses like Black Bear Distribution survive and thrive in the midst of recession.
As businesses grapple with a down economy, high state taxes, and disproportionate state spending, a distribution company in Delanco has managed not only to survive, but to thrive.
CONCEPT | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
Office Furniture Partnership prides itself on ecofriendly innovation, creativity, and a happy staff.
Office Furniture Partnership is an innovative dealership that prides itself on a business model that challenges the traditional, and knows how to have fun in a seemingly straight-laced world.
BACK STORY | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
Volunteer attorneys provide pro-bono services for victims of domestic violence.
In June 2008, Monica Paul’s life came to a tragic end when her boyfriend and father of her two children, Kenneth Duckett, shot her to death at a Montclair YMCA pool while she supervised their five-year-old son swimming (with their 11-year-old daughter close by), according to police.
