With more than four decades of experience in real estate law, Jim advises investors, developers, and property owners on high-stakes transactions involving commercial and mixed-use properties.
His practice spans the full real estate life cycle, from acquisition and disposition to financing, leasing, management, and zoning. Known for his steady, solutions-oriented counsel, Jim is often called upon not only for his technical knowledge but also for his ability to guide clients through complex legal and business challenges with clarity and pragmatism.
Jim has played a leading role in transformative projects across the region and beyond—from the repositioning of underperforming office assets to the redevelopment of distressed properties with significant regulatory and environmental hurdles. His experience includes acting as local counsel in billion-dollar national portfolio transactions, often involving hospitality or multi-asset investments. He also serves as a trusted advisor to family-owned real estate companies navigating generational planning, land use, and title matters. Across every engagement, Jim combines deep legal insight with a commitment to advancing his clients’ long-term investment goals.
Downtown Office Repositioning Delivers Strong Returns
Served as lead counsel to an investment joint venture in the acquisition of a poorly managed downtown office building, guiding the full repositioning strategy through re-tenanting and capital improvements, culminating in a successful sale that yielded superior returns for investors.
Complex Mill Redevelopment Overcomes Regulatory Hurdles
Represented the owner of a blighted historic mill complex in a residential rehabilitation project, resolving a wide range of legal challenges including zoning, environmental compliance, title and survey issues, historic preservation, tax credits, and political and financing matters.
Local Counsel on High-Value National Real Estate Deals
Regularly engaged as Massachusetts local counsel on major national real estate transactions, including billion-dollar portfolio deals involving hotels and other commercial assets, ensuring smooth execution of multi-jurisdictional closings.
Trusted Advisor to Family Real Estate Enterprises
Provides ongoing counsel to family-owned real estate companies on matters involving complex land use, zoning and subdivision, bankruptcy, tax planning, and title resolution, supporting clients across generations of ownership and investment.
Education
- JD, Northeastern University School of Law
- BA, magna cum laude, Tufts University
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
Experience recognized
- Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate, 2020-2026
- Massachusetts Audubon Society, Treasurer, Member of Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Administration & Finance Chair, and Land Acquisition Committee (various years)
- Shady Hill School, President, Board of Trustees (1996–2001), Member of Board (1994–2001), Chair, Buildings and Grounds Committee (1992–1996)
- Bridge Boston Charter School, Founding Member and Member, Board of Trustees/Foundation Board (2012–present)
- Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District (Cambridge), Founding Member
- Boston Bar Association, Member, Finance, Leasing, and Zoning Sub-Committees; Former Chair, Leasing Committee