Real Estate: Massachusetts

THE FIRM DLA Piper has one of the strongest real estate practice groups in Massachusetts, and the team is well equipped to handle the most complex, high-profile deals in the state and nationwide. Its lawyers are kept busy acting for big-ticket clients on developments and transactions in the retail, office and industry sectors. A notable relationship has seen the firm act on the iconic mixed-use development at Fan Pier in Boston, which forms a central part of the city's innovation district.

Sources say: "A top-notch firm, with talented attorneys."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Rattigan has a practice focused on substantial real estate transactions of all types, including residential, office and mixed-use developments. He also has specific expertise in the development of various facilities at airports, from fueling systems to terminals.

Richard Rudman is a high-profile and well-regarded practitioner, whose work on a variety of projects in the real estate sector continues to impress market commentators. He has long experience of development finance, joint ventures and property acquisitions. 

John Sullivan is chair of the real estate group in Boston, but in spite of his leadership role commentators say that he is consistently to be found "in the trenches, doing good work." Sullivan covers all aspects of commercial real estate, and is especially strong on complex investment matters.

Geoffrey Howell works with public agencies and other owners and developers on complex real estate deals, and is very well regarded for the quality of his work in this space.

Barbara Trachtenberg assists owners and lenders on real estate matters in Massachusetts and nationwide. She has experience with a variety of different financing models for developments that include hotels, office buildings and golf courses.

Elliot Surkin is a hugely distinguished attorney whose long experience of the market makes him one of the most senior practitioners in the state. He is managing partner of the firm's Boston office, and has been involved in many high-profile retail, office and mixed-use developments in the city.

THE FIRM Goodwin Procter is widely regarded as something of a powerhouse in the Massachusetts real estate market, and acts on high-profile work across the state and the whole of the USA. Its lawyers have experience with the full range of deals in this sector, and are as comfortable advising clients on sophisticated financing structures as they are on straightforward acquisitions. The firm has the capacity to advise on permitting and land use matters in addition to its expertise in the transactional sphere, and its diverse client list includes such notable organizations as BlackRock Realty Advisors, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Rockwood Capital and Gallus BioPharmaceuticals.

Sources say: "Through personal, trusted relationships with the team, we access first-rate real estate-related legal expertise at a first-rate firm with deep and broad capabilities in virtually any area if needed."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Glazer is an experienced attorney with a great deal of expertise in advising investors on acquisitions and disposals in the real estate space. Clients consider him a valuable resource, and say he is "very good at providing business-appropriate advice that allows us to make appropriate judgments." 

Christopher Barker works with a variety of funds and REITs on the financing of major real estate projects and the acquisition of investment properties. Commentators say he is terrific, and point to his "combination of being a smart lawyer and a good businessman" as the key to his success. 

Minta Kay works on an interesting mix of real estate deals, including the financing of both acquisitions and developments. She advises lenders and borrowers on complex transactions, and has extensive experience of working with REITs.

Paul Schwartz specializes in financing matters in the real estate sector. Clients admire his efforts, and say he is "a dean in the field of institutional real estate investment funds and real estate investment trusts."

Andrew Sucoff is cochair of the firm's practice group in this area, and has a reputation as an attorney who is "remarkably effective in facilitating the process and creating consensus among the parties." Clients admire his "ability to focus on important and complex issues and highlight significant business and legal concerns."

Martin Healy specializes in permitting matters relating to major real estate developments. A recent highlight saw him work with an independent state authority on the environmental permitting aspects of a major new car rental facility at Logan Airport.

Lawrence Kaplan is known for his "great personality, coupled with great legal expertise and a willingness to get the job done." He focuses on permitting and land use matters, and works for a range of organizations, including retail chains, universities and insurance companies.

THE FIRM Goulston & Storrs has an impressive real estate practice that makes a consistently powerful impression on commentators, and which is routinely involved in major transactional and other work in the Boston area. It has a deep bench of attorneys with long experience in this sector, and is well equipped to handle sophisticated financings, developments, acquisitions and disposals on behalf of high-profile clients. Those clients include Centro Properties, The Blackstone Group and Morgan Stanley, and a notable recent highlight has been the team's work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on the development of a series of new laboratories and other facilities. 

Sources say: "Goulston & Storrs is a great firm. There aren't people who do real estate better."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jordan Krasnow is a "recognized leader in the Boston legal community," and continues to advise high-profile clients on real estate transactions in Massachusetts and nationwide. Commentators admire his ability to "combine a grasp of business with legal expertise."

Alan Rottenberg is a senior and very well-regarded figure with vast experience of complex real estate transactions. He advises businesses and individuals, lenders and tenants on a wide range of issues in this sector, and operates at a consistently impressive level.

Barry Green is a talented and increasingly influential attorney whose wide-ranging real estate practice sees him work with an interesting mix of clients on sophisticated transactions. He has recently advised Allianz Real Estate on investments in various joint ventures and real estate funds, and has assisted Beacon Capital Partners with various acquisitions and disposals nationwide.

Frank Litwin is an experienced real estate specialist with a great track record in this space. He has recently worked with Pembroke Properties on various leasings in Boston with a total area of some 400,000 sq ft.

William Dillon focuses his practice on the development of shopping centers and similar projects, and recently assisted IKEA with permitting and other issues relating to its new store in Somerville, MA.

Debbie Horwitz handles a variety of commercial real estate matters for developers and owners, and has recently advised the Mill Creek Residential Trust on the financing and development of a new multifamily project.

Raymond Kwasnick regularly appears on major leasing deals, and recently assisted Boston Properties with the leasing of 400,000 sq ft of office space at Atlantic Wharf on the Boston waterfront.

Douglas Husid has a great deal of experience in this sector, and is known for his expertise in permitting matters. He has recently worked with Harvard University on plans for a new campus in the North Allston neighborhood of Boston.

Matthew Kiefer has a great track record in land use and zoning matters, and teaches in the urban planning program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He has recently assisted the developers of the Seaport Seaport Square project, which aims to create a new urban neighborhood on a 23-acre site in South Boston.

John Twohig is an experienced real estate expert with an interesting and varied practice. He has recently been instructed by the Kraft family on leasing, permitting and development issues relating to the Patriot Place complex next to the Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.

THE FIRM This well-regarded firm has a real estate team that attracts the consistent praise of clients. Its attorneys are known for their expertise in handling major development projects in Boston and beyond, and have recently assisted such high-profile clients as Colony Realty Partners, Lincoln Property Company and Bristol-Myers Squibb. A particular highlight saw the team assist Development Management with a major mixed-use project at Battery Wharf in Boston's North End, a matter that included permitting and contract negotiation issues.

Sources say: "They are experienced and seasoned attorneys who provide reliable and sound counsel."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frederick Pittaro chairs the firm's real estate section, and is a hugely experienced practitioner with the capacity to handle the most sophisticated deals. A recent highlight has been his work with the First Church of Christ, Scientist on the redevelopment plans for its global headquarters complex in Boston.

Andrew Urban is the firm's vice chairman, and a former managing member. His real estate practice is centered on complex development financing and acquisition work, and he recently assisted CVS Caremark with a $375 million sale and leaseback scheme involving over 100 stores in 25 states.

Dan Gaquin "has a strong real estate background and is excellent at keeping a deal on track and solving problems." He has an extremely varied practice, and is adept at the purchase, sale and leasing of commercial properties, and all aspects of the development of new projects.

THE FIRM Nutter McClennen's real estate practice in Boston is noted for the dedication and quality of its attorneys. They are active on both the financing and development sides of real estate matters, and are increasingly involved in new building projects as well as the workouts that were so prevalent at the lowest points of the downturn. The group's client list is an interesting mix of organizations, reflecting the diversity of its practice, and includes RREEF, South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation, Sovereign Bank, and TD Bank of Canada.

Sources say: "What has impressed me is that they help address questions I didn't even know to ask. They are my go-to team when things get challenging."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Fishman chairs the land use practice group, and his broad-ranging practice covers a variety of real estate matters, from zoning and permitting to development finance, acquisitions and leasing. He is known as a "good, solid lawyer who won't miss any details and is good to deal with."

Beth Mitchell has long experience of working with a variety of clients on complex real estate matters in the region and nationwide. She recently worked with Boston Private Financial Holdings on leasing issues relating to its expansion in eastern Massachusetts.

Michael Zabowsky is known as a "dedicated and knowledgeable" attorney who has a high-quality practice with a focus on real estate financing. In recent times he has advised a number of lender clients on both distressed and new construction loans.  

Paul Ayoub is an experienced and highly able practitioner whose work on behalf of lending institutions in the real estate sector continues to impress. He has recently devoted much time to working on complex financial matters, including the workout of loans in the aftermath of the economic collapse.

THE FIRM The real estate group at WilmerHale is well thought of by market commentators, who are quick to praise the quality of its attorneys and the effectiveness of its practice. The team's lawyers work closely with colleagues in New York and Washington, DC to provide a service that spans the financing and development sides of various types of real estate. Recent highlights include assisting Benchmark Senior Living on an $890 million joint venture with Health Care REIT to purchase and run 34 housing facilities across six states, and advising a consortium of Boston hospitals on the development of various new clinical care and medical research buildings. 

Sources say: "WilmerHale is an excellent firm with very bright, talented real estate attorneys who consistently produce excellent work in an efficient, practical and skilled manner."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Katharine Bachman is known and respected throughout the market for her expertise in the real estate sector. She recently worked with Eaton Vance Management on the high-value refinancing of portfolios of multifamily properties held by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

William O'Reilly  heads the real estate practice group, and has a broad-ranging practice in the sector. Clients appreciate the fact that he is "very thoughtful and deliberate in his approach, and explains things very clearly."

Joel Sirkin has taken a step back after a long and distinguished career in Massachusetts real estate. He remains an important member of the team, lending his decades of experience to the firm's work on major projects of all types. 

Doug Burton is new to the rankings, and has a strong and well-regarded practice that takes in the financing and development of all types of real estate project. Clients are pleased to report that he is "an outstanding attorney with excellent attention to detail. He is a very effective negotiator who has good judgment and creativity."

Robert Tuchmann is a senior member of the team, with a great deal of accumulated expertise in the field of real estate. He is very highly regarded for his work on environmental permitting matters, and especially on the purchase, sale and remediation of contaminated sites. 

THE FIRM The Boston real estate offering of this prominent national firm provides its clients with a strong and impressive service. Its lawyers have great expertise in refinancing and restructuring matters, and routinely handle the complex, high-value leasing of large office buildings. Notable clients of the group include Equity One, Gillette, TD Bank and SatCon Technology.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christopher Milton is an experienced practitioner whose work includes acquisitions, disposals, leases and various complex financial transactions. A recent highlight has been his work with the First Church of Christ, Scientist, which has been centered on its attempts to have its Boston headquarters designated a landmark.

THE FIRM This well-regarded firm has a team of talented and highly able attorneys conducting its real estate work out of Boston. They are known for their capacity to handle the financing and development of all types of project in this space.

Sources say: "They certainly have talent over there; nationally they are good, as well."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The name Philip Notopoulos is regularly heard throughout the Boston real estate market. He is expert in a range of work, including financing, transactions and land use law, and regularly advises on the development of residential, office and retail projects.