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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-09-016720.txt : 20091210
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-09-016720.hdr.sgml : 20091210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091210165113
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-09-016720
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091208
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091210
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091210

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THOMAS ROGER W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001032810

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13274
		FILM NUMBER:		091234197

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MACK CALI REALTY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000924901
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				223305147
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		343 THORNALL STREET
		CITY:			EDISON
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08837-2206
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7325901000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		343 THORNALL STREET
		CITY:			EDISON
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08837-2206

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CALI REALTY CORP /NEW/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960730

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CALI REALTY L P
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19941025

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CALI REALTY CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940608
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-12-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000924901</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MACK CALI REALTY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CLI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001032810</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>THOMAS ROGER W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MACK-CALI REALTY CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>343 THORNALL STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EDISON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08837</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Gen Counsel and Secretary</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-12-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6818</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>147577</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On December 8, 2009, the reporting person was granted 6,818 restricted shares of common stock pursuant to the 2000 Employee Stock Option Plan of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation, which shares shall be fully vested upon issuance and shall be subject to a six month restriction on transfer.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Roger W. Thomas</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-12-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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