Founding Partner
Phone: 908-852-2600
Fax: 908-852-8225
Michael B. Lavery is the founding partner of Lavery, Selvaggi & Cohen, P.C. and the director of the firm's Municipal Government Practice. Mr. Lavery is considered one of the state's foremost attorneys in the area of municipal government law. He presently represents numerous governmental entities and serves as Special Counsel to the Counties of Warren, Hunterdon, Sussex and Ocean.
Mr. Lavery has been appointed as the Township Attorney for Parsippany-Troy Hills, Lopatcong, Mansfield, Oxford, Greenwich and Washington (Warren County) Townships, the Chester Board of Adjustment, and the Upper Delaware Soil Conservation District.
Michael is also a seasoned land use attorney. He has represented many developers, corporations, and individuals in a variety of applications. He is recognized by land use boards throughout northern New Jersey and respected for his thorough understanding of the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law and his professional approach and when appearing before local and administrative boards. His knowledge of both land use law and local government law uniquely qualifies him as an excellent choice for those applications that demand a competent and thoughtful strategy.
Mr. Lavery is also an accomplished litigator, having represented numerous clients in civil and commercial matters in state and federal courts. He offers clients zealous representation tempered by a practical and sound approach to effectively resolving disputes.
Mr. Lavery is the former State Chairman for the New Jersey Republican Party and formerly served as General Counsel to the NJGOP from November 2017 – 2020. He was the Mayor of Hackettstown for two terms from 2005 – 2011. On June 25, 2015, he was appointed by Governor Chris Christie to service as a Commissioner for the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, where he continues to serve.
He was appointed as one of five Republican members to the New Jersey Legislative Apportionment Commission, which drafted the current New Jersey Legislative District map. He has also served as Republican State Committeeman for Warren County and as Legislative Aide to then-Senator Leonard Lance (R-23), who formerly served as Congressman for the 7th District. These experiences enable him to assist those seeking to navigate the often confusing aspects of state and local government. His counsel is often sought by those trying to secure approvals from regulatory and administrative agencies in northern New Jersey and Trenton.
When not representing clients, Michael serves the community as a member of the Hackettstown Medical Center Advisors Board and is the former President of the Hackettstown Medical Center Foundation Board. Mr. Lavery formerly served as Chairman of the District 13 Fee Arbitration Committee.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Land Use and Real Estate
- Litigation
- Local Government Law
EDUCATION
University of New Haven
- New Haven, Connecticut
- B.A. Political Science
Rutgers University School of Law
- Camden, New Jersey
- Juris Doctorate - 1989
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Member of the New Jersey State Bar Association;
- Member New Jersey State Bar Association Election Law Committee
- Warren County Bar Association
- Former Chairman, District XIII Fee Arbitration Committee
CIVIC/CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
Former Member, Centenary University Board of Trustees
Advisory Board Member, Hackettstown Medical Center
Former Executive Board Member, New Jersey League of Municipalities
Former Board Member, New Jersey Conference of Mayors
Past President Hackettstown Area Chamber of Commerce