2025 by the Numbers: A Landmark Year for Souder Law Group

If 2025 proved anything, it’s that meaningful growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through strategy, persistence, and a deep understanding of how law, policy, and community intersect.

This year, Souder Law Group helped advance some of Newark’s most ambitious, complex, and impactful projects to date. From skyline-defining towers to neighborhood-scale housing, adaptive reuse, cannabis approvals, and major PILOT agreements, 2025 was a year of momentum and measurable impact.

Here’s a look at what that actually adds up to:

In 2025, Souder Law Group helped secure approvals for 2,800+ residential units, including 670+ affordable units, advanced $183M+ in documented private investment, approved 10 high-rise towers, supported major PILOT redevelopments, and navigated 30+ public hearings shaping Newark’s future.

Real Impact, Real Numbers

In 2025, Souder Law Group helped secure approvals for at least 2,838 residential units across Newark, spanning market-rate, mixed-income, and affordable housing developments. That number reflects only projects with confirmed unit counts, meaning the true total impact is even greater.

Among those approvals were 10 high-rise towers over 40 stories, including multiple mixed-use developments that will permanently reshape Newark’s skyline and downtown density.

Affordable housing remained a major focus. Across confirmed projects, SLG helped advance 671 affordable housing units, supporting long-term housing stability while aligning with broader redevelopment goals.

Projects That Moved the City Forward

Some approvals stood out not just for their scale, but for their complexity.

Major developments such as 315 Mulberry Street, 200 Market Street, 900 Broad Street, and Nova Tower at 16 William Street involved extensive public hearings, objectors, and nuanced zoning and planning challenges. These matters required careful coordination with municipal agencies, planners, and community stakeholders, along with strategic advocacy at every step.

At the same time, SLG successfully handled smaller-scale but equally meaningful projects, including neighborhood-focused residential developments, preservation of active community uses, and adaptive reuse projects that brought new life to existing spaces.

Together, these approvals represent a balance of bold growth and thoughtful development.

PILOTs, Redevelopment, and Long-Term Investment

2025 was also a significant year for PILOT and redevelopment work.

Based solely on projects with disclosed figures, SLG helped advance more than $183.8 million in documented private investment through PILOT approvals. This includes large, multi-phase redevelopments with substantial affordable housing components, as well as smaller residential projects that contribute to long-term fiscal planning and neighborhood revitalization.

These figures represent a baseline. Construction values for high-rise towers, hotels, and mixed-use developments approved this year extend the real economic impact well beyond what’s reflected on paper.

Hospitality, Cannabis, and Special Use Approvals

Beyond residential and mixed-use development, SLG continued to expand its work across specialty use cases.

In 2025, the firm helped secure approvals for:

• 197 hotel rooms, including a major European-style hotel in Downtown Newark

• One retail cannabis microbusiness, navigating evolving municipal and state regulations

• A cigar lounge, requiring careful compliance with zoning and use requirements

Each of these approvals demanded a tailored legal approach informed by broader regulatory and enforcement considerations.

The Work Behind the Wins

Numbers tell one story. The process tells another.

Over the course of the year, Souder Law Group handled 100 to 120 matters across all practice areas, attended 25 to 30 public hearings, and participated in multiple community meetings. Many approvals involved contested proceedings, objectors, and parallel litigation issues, allowing the firm to apply a consistent legal strategy across land use, redevelopment, municipal representation, and disputes.

That ability to operate seamlessly across transactional, regulatory, and litigation contexts remains one of SLG’s defining strengths.

Leadership and Recognition

2025 also brought meaningful recognition for the leadership and growing influence of Souder Law Group.

Calvin W. Souder, Founding Partner and Chair of Real Estate at Souder, Shabazz & Woolridge, was named an ROI Influencer: Real Estate 2025 by ROI-NJ. The designation recognizes Calvin as an emerging real estate leader in Newark, citing his role in driving major development deals while helping position the firm for growing national recognition. The honor reflects his influence at the intersection of real estate, redevelopment, and municipal law.

In addition, Calvin was recognized as an ROI Influencers People of Color honoree for 2025, further underscoring his leadership and impact within the industry. He was also named one of the Best Commercial Real Estate Attorneys by BINJE and included on the 2025 NJBIZ Law Power List.

Calvin, along with James Gee and Jason Redd, was also named to the 2025 Insider 100 Legal Power List, highlighting the firm’s expanding credibility and influence across New Jersey’s legal and development communities.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As the firm looks forward, the focus remains clear: continue serving as a trusted legal partner at the intersection of land use, redevelopment, municipal law, and litigation.

In 2026, Souder Law Group will continue expanding its municipal representation, transactional work, and litigation practice, while deepening its involvement in complex redevelopment projects, PILOT agreements, and affordable housing initiatives.

Onward

2025 was a year of scale, strategy, and substance. The approvals secured this year will shape Newark’s physical, economic, and housing landscape for decades to come.

We’re proud of the work, grateful for the clients and partners who trusted us, and energized for what’s next.