Robert E. Schiappacasse

Robert E. Schiappacasse

Member
 

Robert E. Schiappacasse is a Member of the Sills Cummis & Gross Corporate Practice Group and Co-Chair of the Cannabis Industry Practice Group. He has experience in a broad range of commercial legal matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions; corporate structure and governance, including state and federal regulatory filings; asset-based and mortgage-secured financings; and commercial real estate, including its acquisition, sale and leasing. 

He represents middle market companies in a broad range of industries, including construction, transportation, real estate development, solid waste and recycling, insurance and retail. 

As an Executive Committee Member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, Mr. Schiappacasse is at the forefront of New Jersey’s expanding cannabis industry. He has also counseled clients throughout the country, including the states of Nevada, Arizona, Maryland and Pennsylvania, on cannabis industry matters ranging from acquisitions to corporate structuring to regulatory compliance.

Mr. Schiappacasse is also one of a small group of attorneys who handles transactions involving the demolition and sale of plant processes, both domestically and internationally, and also represents restaurants and bars in connection with the purchase, sale, transfer and renewal of liquor licenses in the State of New Jersey.

In addition to his prior experience within the corporate departments of large national law firms, Mr. Schiappacasse also served as in-house counsel for a mergers and acquisitions investment banking firm.  In that role, he was responsible for a variety of transactions and regulatory matters in conjunction with complex roll-up acquisitions by public companies in the solid waste, trucking and heating oil industries.

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Representative Matters

  • Represented operator of cannabis business in Nevada in connection with sale to American subsidiary of publicly traded Canadian corporation for consideration of $17,000,000.

  • Represented holding corporation in connection with a $100,000,000 secured financing facility.

  • Represented operator of medical marijuana business in Arizona in connection with sale to publicly traded Canadian corporation for consideration of $25,000,000.

  • Represented an insurance wholesaler in the sale of all of its outstanding stock for consideration of $9,000,000.

  • Represented the owner of more than 100 wireless retail locations in its sale for consideration in excess of $50,000,000.

  • Represented client in connection with joint venture interest in Pennsylvania cannabis application.

  • Represented an international fitness equipment company in the acquisition of a 50% interest in the largest commercial distributor of fitness equipment. The deal was valued at $20,000,000.

  • Represented a world leader in the development of soil surfactants and other technologies in a leveraged buyout of a 70% interest in the company by a Chicago private equity fund for consideration in excess of $20,000,000.

  • Represented various buyers in multiple transactions involving the acquisition of hot mix asphalt plants and rock quarries in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

  • Represented client in connection with sale of Maryland cannabis license.

  • Represented the buyer in the acquisition of a marina and the related yacht sales business.

  • Represented the seller in connection with the sale of a recycling business to a public buyer.

  • Represented the land owner in the sale of property to a developer for consideration in excess of $20,000,000.

  • Represented the developer in connection with a financing facility in excess of $30,000,000 secured by mortgages on various shopping malls.

  • Represented a private investment advisory firm in its sale to a public buyer for consideration in excess of $20,000,000.    

Newsroom

In The News Items

Presentations

  • The Ethics of Cannabis: An Essential Legal Guide

    Ethical Issues Involving Cannabis and Landlords, Development and Zoning New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education; New Jersey State Bar Association's Cannabis Law Special Committee 9/7/2018

  • 2018 Business Law Symposium

    Ethically Advising Clients about Marijuana New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education; New Jersey State Bar Association's Business Law Section 4/20/2018

Publications

Rankings & Recognition

New Jersey Super Lawyers®*  "Rising Stars" 2012, Business Corporate 

*See Award Methodology

Affiliations

Professional Affiliations

Member, New Jersey State Bar Association
— Member, Business Law Section
— Member, Construction Law Section
— Executive Committee Member, Cannabis Law Committee
— Co-Chair, Business Law Section – Cannabis Committee
— Member, Judicial Administration Committee
— Member, Law Office Management Committee

Member, Utility & Transportation Contractors Association  

Community Affiliations

Board of Trustees, Tigger House, Inc.
Board of Directors, Freedom & Ethics Alliance, Inc.