By focusing on the real estate side of his profession, this top NJ attorney continues a family legacy

by Laura D.C. Kolnoski Photos By Amessé Photography

While the other kids dreamed of becoming actors, musicians, doctors, or firemen, young Michael Benedetto knew he wanted to attend law school with the goal of a career in real estate—his family’s business. Growing up in Middletown, Benedetto would accompany his successful residential real estate broker dad often, even pitching in to help make repairs where he could.

After attending Bard College in New York, he returned to his native New Jersey, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Monmouth University, then obtaining a J.D. from the Widener University School of Law (Wilmington, Delaware) in 1994.

“My original vision was to go to law school, take a small portfolio, and build it into something larger; I truly never thought I would be practicing law,” Benedetto, now a Rumson resident, said. “Once at law school, I found a real interest in the law and got caught up in the rush to find a job.” Interning first with the Office of Attorney General, Benedetto moved on to intern for Justice Virginia Long, an Appellate Judge. The next thing he knew, he was offered a summer internship with the late Daniel J. O’Hern, a Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey (for whom the Red Bank Train Station was recently renamed). Before Benedetto could accept, he met his future law partner, Brian Ansell, at a wedding.

“Brian had only been practicing law a few years, but he was helping run the firm’s summer program, so I decided to call him for an interview,” Benedetto recalled. He was hired as a law clerk and never left. “While it was an unconventional decision to accept a job as a law clerk in a private firm instead of an internship with NJ Supreme Court Justice, it was the right choice for me. Looking back, I have no regrets.” As clerk, he worked in many areas of the law, learning from the firm’s lawyers. He returned after finishing law school, and a quirk of fate helped propel his career forward.

“I was in the law library doing research—the only law clerk still in the office—when the telephone rang,” he recalled. Jerold Zaro, the firm’s managing partner, posed a real estate related question that Benedetto quickly answered. Impressed by the swift answer and in depth analysis, Zaro began giving the young man regular assignments. After Benedetto passed his bar exam, Zaro offered him a position as an associate working directly for him. While Benedetto was planning his next career move, the pair went to lunch and Zaro questioned him about his future plans, asking if he would consider practicing law. They discussed the possibility in general terms, with nothing concrete decided.

“We had a firm holiday function the next day,” Benedetto said. “During his announcements, Jerry introduced me as the newest attorney in the firm. I found out when everyone else did! Jerry became my mentor, both as a commercial real estate attorney and future managing partner.” Benedetto was designated to replace Zaro as managing partner upon Zaro’s retirement. That day came sooner than expected when Zaro left the firm to join the Governor Jon Corzine’s cabinet.

“I often joke with him that he did me two great favors, first in hiring me and then in retiring early,” Benedetto said. Named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers in 2006, Benedetto was the youngest and fastest-rising partner in the history of the firm, making partner within five years. Today, he is the managing partner and president of the firm, as well as chairman of its Commercial Real Estate Department and Commercial, Finance, and Banking Department.

Benedetto can look at many properties and realize that at some point he has represented the buyer, seller, bank, landlord and tenants of the same sites. He’s been involved with property acquisitions including shopping malls, office parks, and warehouses throughout New Jersey and the U.S., including transactions in New York, California, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois.

“I have the best job; helping to find solutions for my clients is very rewarding to me,” he said. “I get to satisfy the entrepreneurial aspects of what initially drove me to law school, and work with a great group of people, from my law partners and associates to the entire support team, right down to the office cleaning staff. I truly mean that, they could not be better.” His biggest professional challenge is time, as he strives to balance a law practice with managing a firm of more than 40 attorneys and four separate locations.

Benedetto has served on the boards of directors of the American Red Cross NJ and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Monmouth County. He is a member and Past President of the Middletown Lions Club, and has been the Golf Co-Chairman for 180 Turning Lives Around, a private non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence. The firm formed the Ansell Grimm & Aaron Foundation several years ago, which supports numerous charities.

“For me personally, and all the partners of AGA, giving back and supporting our community is hugely important,” Benedetto said. “I tend to be drawn to local charities and seek to help women and children in need. Unfortunately, there is no absence of need.” Benedetto also revels in the lives and accomplishments of his children, Olivia, 14, an equestrian, and Michael “Buddy,” 12, a competitive gymnast.

Benedetto is a member of the New Jersey, Monmouth County, and American Bar Associations, and has been a member of the Real Estate Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the Technology Law Practice Management Sections of the Monmouth County Bar Association.

Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC, which has provided legal services for more than 85 years, maintains New Jersey offices in Ocean, Princeton, and Woodland Park, as well as Newton, Pennsylvania and White Plains, New York. The firm and its alumnus have been included in the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers 50 times since 2005, an honor awarded annually to less than five percent of all New Jersey attorneys.

Michael V. Benedetto
Ansell Grimm & Aaron, PC
1500 Lawrence Ave., Ocean / 732.922.1000