Areas of Practice
Land Use, Zoning and Redevelopment Law; Real Estate (residential and commercial); General Litigation; Local Government and Public Agency Law.
Bar Admissions
New Jersey State Bar, 1975
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, 1975
Education
Rutgers University, B.A. with Distinction in History, Admitted: Phi Beta Kappa, 1972
Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 1975
Professional Appointments and Certifications
Middlesex County Counsel, 2002 – Present
Special Counsel to New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO), 1979 — Present
Zoning Board Attorney for Franklin Township, 2001 — 2002
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
New Jersey State Bar Association
Middlesex County Bar Association
New Brunswick Bar Association
Civic/Community Involvement
State Theatre Regional Arts Center at New Brunswick, Inc., Chairman 2002 – 2006
New Brunswick Cultural Center, Inc., Secretary 2002 — 2016; Chairman 2016 — Present.
Summary
Thomas F. Kelso, Esq. is the Senior and Managing Partner of the Kelso & Burgess law firm, and was the founding partner of the original firm of Gluck & Kelso in 1977. Mr. Kelso, throughout his 40+ years law career, has appeared in and before the Municipal Courts of this State, Superior Courts in most counties, the Office of Administrative Law, the Federal Courts, and a variety of public bodies and agencies. Mr. Kelso has acquired comprehensive knowledge of the New Jersey Statutes, case law, public body rules, regulations and procedures in furtherance of client representation, including the Open Public Meetings Act, public bidding laws and requirements, general rules and procedures of governmental agencies, public advocacy and local governments. Mr. Kelso was appointed County Counsel of Middlesex County in 2002, and continues to serve in that position. In his capacity as Middlesex County Counsel, Mr. Kelso is the chief legal advisor to the County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and to other various County agencies and departments, including the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Commissioners of the Middlesex County Self-Insurance Fund.
Mr. Kelso is widely regarded as a land use and zoning specialist and has appeared before a variety of municipal Planning and Zoning Boards throughout the State of New Jersey. His expertise includes a comprehensive knowledge of both residential and commercial land use development and all aspects of the redevelopment of urban areas and other blighted properties, including the requirements related to real estate taxation and tax exemptions. Mr. Kelso’s expertise also includes comprehensive experience in the financing, approval and development of affordable housing in a variety of municipalities in the region.
Mr. Kelso has served as Special Counsel to the New Brunswick Development Corporation since 1979, a position which involves all aspects of the City of New Brunswick’s revitalization and redevelopment initiatives. Mr. Kelso is a graduate of Rutgers University, having received his B.A. with Distinction in History, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1972. Thereafter, Mr. Kelso received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1975.
Mr. Kelso lives with his family in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Email: Tkelso@kelsoburgess.com
