Department profile
Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

USA Guide 2026 : Massachusetts


Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Nutter’s real estate attorneys provide expertise, both nationally and regionally, on a wide range of legal challenges surrounding all types of real estate, including the most complex transactions and developments. The team has broad experience covering real estate transactional and finance work, as well as related entitlement, land use, and environmental matters. Owners, operators, lenders, developers, and others involved in real estate-related transactions frequently turn to Nutter for legal advice and services.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use - Massachusetts

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Nutter McClennen & Fish is held in high esteem for its handling of complex real estate transactions and development entitlements in urban and suburban settings across the USA. The firm frequently acts on large scale developments, providing a full service approach to clients by drawing on both transactional and land use expertise. Its strengths also include advising on environmental concerns. The team represents a variety of developers, private owners and non-profit institutions and is experienced in advising governmental entities.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Nutter McClennen & Fish represented Synergy Investments in its $227 million acquisition and financing of a 32-storey office tower in downtown Boston.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Nutter is truly spectacular at all it does. The attorneys are extremely smart, detail-oriented and on top of things.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Nutter has experienced attorneys who not only understand the legal issues that their clients have, but also the practical and business issues behind the legal issues.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Nutter distinguishes itself through a combination of cost-effectiveness, efficiency and senior-level partner engagement.

    Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Beth H Mitchell
    Band 1Beth H Mitchell

    Beth H Mitchell

    Beth Mitchell has an extensive real estate practice and undertakes transactional work. Clients such as developers and public entities regularly turn to her for her sage counsel.

    • Beth is an experienced attorney with a wealth of business and loan knowledge. She understands nuance and helps focus clients on the key items.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Band 1James G Ward
    Band 1James G Ward

    James G Ward

    James Ward is co-chair of the firm's development, land use and permitting practice group. He has a depth of experience advising on a wide range of land use and environmental matters.

    • Jim is a highly client-focused attorney with a deep understanding of land use regulations in Massachusetts.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Jim has a great legal mind and is invaluable for permitting strategy and execution.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Jim is one of the most knowledgeable permitting attorneys in the area. He is a thoughtful problem-solver and strategist and does an excellent job of representing us in hearings and in negotiations.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Band 2Marianne Ajemian
    Band 2Marianne Ajemian

    Marianne Ajemian

    Marianne Ajemian is a key partner and an experienced real estate lawyer. She works with clients such as financial institutions, real estate investment funds and developers.

    • She's an expert in her field.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Marianne is a good transactional lawyer who gets deals done.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Marianne is very smart and understanding of complex matters, particularly when dealing with complex foreign parties.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Marianne is absolutely phenomenal.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Band 2Paul Ayoub
    Band 2Paul Ayoub

    Paul Ayoub

    Paul Ayoub advises clients on the financing and development of commercial real estate projects. He often works with financial institutions.

    • Paul brings deep expertise across all areas of commercial real estate investment and development. He is a true dealmaker and an excellent lawyer with a strong commitment to client service.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Paul has a remarkable ability to identify the key issues and navigate them with clarity and confidence. He is also a natural problem-solver, always finding a way to get the deal done.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Paul is a highly respected attorney whose reputation in the commercial real estate and business community is both well-earned and widely admired.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Band 2Timothy M Smith
    Band 2Timothy M Smith

    Timothy M Smith

    Timothy Smith acts for a broad range of clients, advising on real estate acquisitions, joint ventures and financings. He also acts for both tenants and landlords in a variety of leasing transactions.

    • Tim engenders deep trust from his clients by his honest, straightforward and informed legal advice.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Tim is a great problem-solver and he's a closer.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Beyond his technical expertise, Tim provides the senior-level judgment, stability and client focus that make him an indispensable partner to our business.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Band 3Michael E Scott
    Band 3Michael E Scott

    Michael E Scott

    Michael Scott is a key member of Nutter McClennan & Fish's real estate department. He has gained a reputation for his diverse practice which spans all aspects of real estate, representing a broad array of clients.

    • Michael Scott has a good understanding of our business without us having to remind him of what's critical.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Michael is always extremely responsive to me if we need anything.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Michael’s ability to create a “win-win” makes him a one-stop shop attorney.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Michael is great at client relations, helping to steer his team and bring in the right resources at Nutter.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Michael's way of managing transactions and clients engenders a sense of loyalty and good, practical transactional conclusions.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Band 3Valerie A. Moore
    Band 3Valerie A. Moore

    Valerie A. Moore

    Valerie Moore regularly assists developer clients in navigating permitting and zoning processes, in addition to advising on litigation considerations.

    • Valerie is extremely effective in court; her knowledge is vast and ever-growing.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Valerie has an impressive ability to untangle onerous local and state regulations to simplify the regulatory path for her clients.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Valerie Moore is a solid 40B attorney

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Band 4Chris Papavasiliou
    Band 4Chris Papavasiliou

    Chris Papavasiliou

    Chris Papavasiliou acts for clients in real estate transactional matters, with experience in joint ventures, acquisitions and financing.

    • Chris's pragmatic approach and deep understanding of our business make him an invaluable resource.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Chris is excellent across all aspects of our matters, with particular strength in acquisitions and transaction work.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • Chris provides quick, timely and thoughtful feedback, while also being business-friendly.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
  • Band 4David A. Libardoni
    Band 4David A. Libardoni

    David A. Libardoni

    David Libardoni often advises on commercial acquisitions, joint ventures and leasing matters.

    • David Libardoni is particularly good at negotiating agreements.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • David handles complex, high stress matters well. He clearly understands the subject matter at hand and knows when to hold firm or let it go.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • David is approachable, always accessible for client needs and can easily explain complicated matters to clients.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • David Libardoni is highly pragmatic, has a strong understanding of our business and brings thoughtful, commercially-minded advice to each matter.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA
    • David is a responsive, sophisticated and well-rounded attorney.

      Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP (10)

Massachusetts

Members

Provided by Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

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