I'm open to any recommendations for other attorneys in the area and familiar with NJ specific tenant landlord law and practice. 

Years ago in a previous chapter of life, I was a speech pathologist with a private practice in the Northwest.  

Is that a normal practice?  

It's just not practical unless you are really towing heavy or have some other need for it.

If you want to grow your company or investing practice, try to transition to a better system and do them all legally.

I have always felt that this is a conflict of interest but seem to be standard operating practice in many places.That's it.

In a residential real estate transaction, at the earliest practicable opportunity during or following the first substantial contact by the designated broker or the affiliated licensees with a seller, landlord, buyer, or tenant who has not entered into a written agreement for services as described in subdivision (5) of section 339.710, the licensee shall provide that person with a written copy of the current broker disclosure form which has been prescribed by the commission.However, you said your license is inactive right now.

I am currently a Licensed Practical Nurse that is going through Registered Nurse school.

For others, the practice of going against the market grain and disciplined fund investment provides flexibility and a nice hedge against the realities of real estate investment. 

If you wanted to learn how to swim  you wouldn't practice by riding a bike, would you?