NJ Residential Real Estate Practice: The Necessary Checklist

Donald D. Campbell graduated from Villanova University and received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Villanova Law School, where he served as Student Bar President. He served in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps, was wounded three times, and was awarded the Bronze Star (with Combat V), 3 Purple Hearts and numerous campaign and unit decorations. He is a former Certified Trial Attorney of New Jersey, State Public Defender and Municipal Prosecutor. He clerked for Appellate Judge Lawrence Bilder (ret.). He was a Rule 1:40 Mediator for the Superior Court of New Jersey.

A recognized expert on real estate and financing, Don has personally conducted over 10,000 closings for buyers and sellers from single family to large scale developments and industrial sites. As counsel to Pamrapo Savings Bank, he has reviewed thousands of mortgage closings for all their offices for over 20 years. He has testified and serves as an expert witness for insurance companies and attorneys in real estate malpractice matters and has consulted for the New Jersey Supreme Court Ethics Committee on standards for closing attorneys.

He is the author of several ICLE publications, Step by Step Guide to Residential Real Estate Closings, 2002 ed and 2004 ed, Do’s and Don’ts of Residential Real Estate Closings, Representing Parties in Multi-Unit Residential Transactions, Checklists: The Key to Successful Residential Real Estate Closings, Residential Real Estate Practice in a Day, Commercial Real Estate and Leasing for Paralegals, and has served on numerous ICLE presentations each year as moderator and speaker. He also serves as an Expert Witness for plaintiffs and defendants in real estate litigations.

Don has specialized in financing and real estate since his appointment as counsel to Pamrapo Savings Bank. He guided Pamrapo Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ/PBCI) through their public offering in 1989. Mr. Campbell reviews all closing documents for their ten banking offices located in Northern New Jersey. His clients range from national builders to individual clients in all aspects of real estate and financing.

He was C.E.O. of Bell Mortgage which specialized in commercial lending and was licensed as a New Jersey Mortgage Banker. He is admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States. Don has been counsel for twenty-five years to the People of Hope and several other non-profit organizations.

He is a member of the General Practice and Real Estate and Probate Section of the New Jersey Bar Association and the National Bar Association. He has represented the Pheasant Bridge Corporation through their now 14 year zoning battle with the Township of Warren, which matter was successfully decided by the New Jersey Supreme Court.