Maria P. Vallejo Returns to Rutgers Law School to Teach Land Use Law & Practice
September 2, 2026
Partner Maria P. Vallejo, Esq. returns to Rutgers Law School this Fall semester to teach Land Use Law & Practice. This will be her fifth year teaching the course at Rutgers University.
When Maria began teaching in Fall 2021, she quickly recognized a need for greater emphasis on the pragmatic aspects of land use law and the legal practice overall. Given full liberty to create her own syllabus, Maria developed a course focused on the historical and legal foundations of modern land use law, zoning and general plans, the land development process, current issues facing land use and redevelopment within New Jersey’s urban centers, cities, and towns. In the course, students are introduced to practical skills, including reviewing proposed land use projects and site plans, working with clients, engineers, architects, and planners, and preparing applications before Planning and Zoning Boards.
For Maria, teaching is an opportunity to share her knowledge and experience while helping bridge the gap between law school and legal practice. Her perspective as both a practicing land use and litigation attorney allows her to bring real-world experience into the classroom. The Land Use Law & Practice course has generated increasingly strong interest over the years, with Rutgers, for the first time, offering two sections of the course this Fall.
After spending the 2025–2026 academic year away from the classroom, Maria is returning to teaching this Fall. During that one-year break, Maria was appointed the Rutgers University Board of Trustees, where she initially sat on the Board’s philanthropy committee and now has been appointed to the University Board of Governor’s Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.
“Giving back to the community and making a positive impact have always been—and continues to be—the driving forces behind my decisions and actions. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as a University Trustee and as an adjunct professor at the Law School. These roles allow me to give back to my Rutgers family while engaging directly with students and helping them build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in the legal profession.”
This year, Maria will serve the second of her initial six-year term as a Charter Trustee of the University, where she received her B.A. in English and Journalism from Rutgers College. Her involvement with Rutgers in both capacities has allowed her to serve as an institutional leader, educator, and mentor.
At CLM&C, giving back to the community is one of our core values, and we are proud of Maria’s commitment to supporting the next generation of attorneys.
This communication does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC. The information contained herein is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute as legal advice. Readers of this publication herein should not rely upon or use as a substitute for consultation with legal, career and or professional advisors. Nothing herein should be considered advice, recommendation, or an offer to perform services. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.