Joe's path to becoming one of the region’s go-to attorneys for zoning and land use matters began with a fascination for how communities are shaped—by development, regulation, and the balance between growth and preservation.

He got his start working alongside one of Woburn’s most respected land use lawyers, eventually becoming his partner and taking over the practice. That experience laid the groundwork for a career defined by deep local knowledge, strategic thinking, and a commitment to helping clients build what’s next.

Over the years, Joe’s practice has expanded to include developers of all sizes—from local entrepreneurs to national real estate firms—seeking counsel on topics ranging from project permitting to liquor licensing. He is equally trusted by commercial lenders and borrowers who depend on his steady guidance through the complexities of real estate and asset-based financing. Joe understands that what keeps his clients awake at night isn’t just legal red tape—it’s economic uncertainty, interest rate volatility, and the practical obstacles that can delay or derail a project. His role, as he sees it, is to help clients move forward with clarity and confidence.

Joe is also actively involved in his community. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Winchester Hospital, which is part of the Beth Israel Lahey Health System, where he is Vice Chair of the board and chairs the committee responsible for patient safety and care quality. A longtime supporter of the Woburn Chamber of Commerce, Joe is a past president and continues to serve on its board, advocating for policies that promote business growth and thoughtful development throughout the region.

LEGAL SOLUTIONS

Multi-State Liquor License Transfer and $160 Million Restaurant Business Sale

Represented a major national restaurant chain in the $160 million sale of its restaurant business, which included the complex coordination and transfer of liquor licenses across multiple states.

Land Use Approvals for Over One Million Square Feet of Mixed-Use Development

Secured land use permits and approvals for the development of more than one million square feet of diverse real estate projects, including mixed-use residential, senior housing, affordable housing, an ambulatory medical facility, and life sciences and GMP manufacturing space.

Senior Living Facility Development Approvals

Represented a national senior housing developer in securing land use approvals for constructing an integrated independent living, assisted living, and memory care facility.

Affordable Housing Development Approvals

Secured permits and approvals for a residential development under Massachusetts Chapter 40B and Chapter 40R, facilitating the creation of affordable housing while aligning with smart growth and community planning goals.

CREDENTIALS

Education

  • JD, New England Law
  • BS, BA, Boston University

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • US District Court for the District of Massachusetts
AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Experience recognized

  • Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate, 2022-2026
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers, 2025
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2004-2012
  • Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers, 2022-2025
resources

Experience in practice

  • Council Has No Concerns with Nucar Chevrolet Parking Lot Expansion, Daily Time Chronicle (September 2025, Mentioned)
  • Structure Heavily Damaged in Jan. 21 Blaze…Council OKs Restoration of Two-Family House off Union Street, Daily Times Chronicle (September 2025, Quoted)

  • Local Developers Yank Plans for New Central Square Overlay District, Daily Times Chronicle (April 2025, Quoted)
  • Vocal Abutters Rally Against Central Square Overlay District Plans, Daily Times Chronicle (April 2025, Mentioned)
  • Council Passes Zoning Change to Allow Woburn Landing Subdivision, Daily Times Chronicle (February 2025, Quoted)
  • Car Wash Chain Pulls Plans for Move to Former Bickford’s Site, Daily Times Chronicle (January 2025, Quoted)
  • Sonar Drive Expansion Request Is Under Review, Daily Times Chronicle (January 2025, Quoted)
  • Beacon Hill Market to Get Just Third Family Owning Since It Opened More Than a Century Ago, Universal Hub (November 2024, Quoted)
  • New Boston St. Bridge Work Faces Zoning Issues, Daily Times Chronicle (September 2024, Quoted)
  • West Side Resident to Open Sports Medicine Spa at Horn Pond Plaza, Daily Times Chronicle (April 2024, Quoted)
  • Conn Street Printing Firm Preparing Drainage Analysis for Expansion Project, Daily Times Chronicle (April 2024, Quoted)
  • Ninth Package Store License Is Granted, Daily Times Chronicle (February 2024, Quoted)
  • Tandoor and Curry Eyes N. Woburn Location, Daily Times Chronicle (February 2024, Quoted)
  • Starbucks Eyes New Washington Street Location in East Woburn, Daily Times Chronicle (January 2024, Quoted)
  • Chick-Fil-A Traffic Review Draws Mixed Opinions, Daily Times Chronicle (December 2023, Quoted)
  • Off New Boston Street in Woburn: Developer Asks Feds to Approve 250-Unit Plan, Daily Times Chronicle (November 2023, Quoted)
  • Council on Verge of Approving Winn Street Redevelopment, Daily Times Chronicle (October 2023, Quoted)
  • Wilmington Side of New Boston St.: Life Science Project on Hold in North Woburn, Wilmington Town Crier (June 2023, Quoted)
  • Boston Developer Given More Time on Housing Complex at Anderson Station, Daily Times Chronicle (June 2023, Quoted)
  • Council Agrees to Rezone Lake Avenue Area to Two-Family, Daily Times Chronicle (June 2023, Mentioned)
  • City of Woburn Open House: Welcome to the Coalition, Middlesex 3 Coalition (May 2023, Speaker)
  • Site of 289-Unit Housing Complex off of Commerce Way: Solar Carport Proposed for Top of Emblem 120 Parking Deck, Daily Times Chronicle (April 2023, Mentioned)
  • Council Expects to Revisit N. Woburn Life Sciences Park Plans in April, Daily Times Chronicle (March 2023, Mentioned)
  • Mayor Again Interested in Potential 40R Redevelopment off Federal Street, Daily Times Chronicle (January 2023, Mentioned)
  • At Target Shopping Plaza off I-93: Liv’s Juice and Acai Bar Coming to Commerce Way Storefront, Daily Times Chronicle (January 2023, Mentioned)
  • Determined Boston Developer Forges Ahead With Woburn Life Sciences Project, Daily Times Chronicle (January 2023, Mentioned)
  • License Commission: Dog House, Tudo Na Brasa Hearings Set to Continue in ’23, Daily Times Chronicle (December 2022, Mentioned)
  • Lawless Officials to Reconfigure Lot in Light of Car Delivery Safety Concerns, Daily Times Chronicle (December 2022, Mentioned)
  • Pair of Commercial Caterers Moving to Olympia Avenue Warehouse, Daily Times Chronicle (November 2022, Mentioned)
  • Council Okays Showcase Cinema Sign, Daily Times Chronicle (November 2022, Mentioned)
  • Food Industry Businesses Eye Olympia Avenue Warehouse Space, Daily Times Chronicle (October 2022, Quoted)
  • Council Okays Muscular Therapy Services at Downtown Beauty Salon, Daily Times Chronicle (October 2022, Mentioned)
  • Charcuterie Board Caterer Moving to S. End Shopping Plaza, Daily Times Chronicle (October 2022, Mentioned)
  • Blues for Veterans to Host 10th Annual Music Festival at Library Park, Daily Times Chronicle (September 2022, Quoted)
  • Planners to Discuss LBOD Proposal on Aug. 23, Daily Times Chronicle (August 2022, Mentioned)
  • Vale Adding Retaining Wall at Montvale Site, Daily Times Chronicle (July 2022, Quoted)
  • What’s Going On Around the M3 Region?, Middlesex 3 Coalition and the Woburn Chamber of Commerce (June 2022, Speaker)
  • WUBurger to Undergo Change in Ownership, Daily Times Chronicle (February 2022, Quoted)
  • Council Jettisons Landscaping Firm’s Storage Yard Expansion Request, Daily Times Chronicle (February 2022, Quoted)
  • Life-Sciences Developer Looks to Pause Showcase Cinemas Rezoning Pitch, Daily Times Chronicle (December 2021, Quoted)
  • Council Okays New Drug-Making Plant off Cabot Road, Daily Times Chronicle (December 2021, Quoted)
  • The Davis Companies Eyes Life Sciences Campus in Woburn: Report, Boston Real Estate Times (November 2021, Quoted)
  • Boston Developer Eyes Life Sciences Campus at Showcase Cinema Site, Daily Times Chronicle (November 2021, Quoted)
  • Council Okays Pool Area Changes for Winning Farm Townhouse Development, Daily Times Chronicle (November 2021, Quoted)
  • Local Drug-Maker’s Expansion Plan Back Before Planners, Daily Times Chronicle (September 2021, Mentioned)
  • The Changing Restaurant Scene in Woburn Has Changed Once Again, Daily Times Chronicle (April 2021, Mentioned)
  • Winchester Hospital, a member of the Beth Israel/Lahey Health System (BILH), Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Common Trust Credit Union, Board of Directors
  • Woburn Chamber of Commerce, Board Member Emeritus, Past President
  • American Bar Association
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Winning Home, Inc., President
  • Massachusetts Restaurant Association
  • Massachusetts Conveyancers Association
  • National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)
  • Middlesex 3 Coalition
  • Woburn Rotary Club, Past President