James B. Heffernan
Massachusetts
Rich May, P.C.
176 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110-2223
United States
Tel: 617-556-3881
Email:
jheffernan@richmaylaw.com
Web:
www.richmaylaw.com
Jim Heffernan is a seasoned attorney representing local, national, and international clients, with a particular emphasis on commercial real estate developers. They provide comprehensive counsel across all aspects of corporate and real estate law, including property acquisitions and dispositions, complex development projects, and a full spectrum of zoning and permitting matters.
Jim has extensive experience guiding clients through state and local zoning processes, securing land use entitlements, navigating permitting requirements, and representing clients before municipal boards and regulatory agencies. They advise on rezoning applications, special permits, variances, site plan approvals, and compliance with environmental and building regulations—ensuring that projects move forward efficiently and in full compliance with applicable laws.
In addition to their zoning and permitting work, Jim counsels clients on leasing for both landlords and tenants, joint venture development agreements, construction contracts, and a wide range of commercial and private financing transactions. They also regularly support individuals and small businesses with company formation, capital structuring, contract negotiation, restructuring, and business permitting.
Jim’s industry experience spans multifamily, retail, industrial, hospitality, entertainment, and technology sectors, allowing them to deliver strategic, business-oriented solutions tailored to each client’s objectives.
Jim also serves as co-chair for the Real Estate Advisory Committee for ULI Boston/New England, working with cities and towns throughout the region on technical assistance panels to address complex land use and development challenges.
Having lived and worked in Beijing, Jim brings a nuanced cultural perspective to cross-border transactions and provides valuable guidance to businesses navigating international business environments. Jim is proficient in both written and spoken Mandarin, and conversational in Spanish, Italian, and French.
- Represented a regional developer in the development, management and sale of Brunswick Station in Brunswick, Maine, which included mixed use of apartments, offices, and retail/restaurants.
- Represented a regional bank in the $40 million dollar acquisition financing for a prominent building in Chinatown, Boston.
- Represented Emerald Place Development Company in the $76 million dollar sale of a 238-unit apartment building in Lunenburg, Massachusetts.
- Represented Navem West Broadway in the development, construction, conversion to condominium, and sale of a 44-unit condominium building in South Boston, Massachusetts.
- Represented a large regional bank in the $13 million dollar refinancing of apartment buildings in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Represented a Chinese investor in a joint venture with a local developer for the acquisition and development of a $120 million mixed use development in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
- Represented a joint venture development of 16 condominium units in South Boston.
- Represented a local developer in their $7 million dollar acquisition of a ground lease development in Quincy, Massachusetts.
- Represented a regional developer in their $10 million sale of a light industrial property in Portland, ME.
- Represented a restaurant tenant with a complex lease regarding a boutique hotel in Boston.
At Rich May, P.C., our real estate attorneys focus on creating value. We approach real estate transactions strategically and creatively, working with our clients to develop the most advantageous plan to gain the maximum value from their investments. We are not just “dirt lawyers,” but trusted advisors addressing investment objectives, risk management, tax, and exit strategies.
- Acquisition and disposition of commercial and industrial properties throughout the United States
- Real estate and commercial finance, including debt, equity and conduit financing
- Development of residential, commercial, office, retail and industrial projects
- Leasing for commercial, office, retail and restaurant landlords and tenants
- Franchise leasing and development
- Strategic planning and risk management for real estate ownership, management and development
- Real estate joint ventures, private equity, investment management and securities law compliance
- Restructuring and repositioning distressed projects
- Multi-family projects, including affordable housing under 40B
- Commercial and residential condominium development
- Solar and other green energy development and leasing
We offer a full range of legal services to the real estate industry, and to our corporate clients with real estate needs. Our clients include owners, developers and lenders active in development, acquisitions, sales and financing. We also help our business clients meet their real estate needs, from leases and acquisitions to construction and development of corporate campuses.
Our legal expertise, commitment to service, and steadfast integrity combine to enable us to achieve outstanding results. Our objective is to solve client problems effectively and efficiently, creating value at every opportunity.
We represent the newest technology businesses, and the most established regulated industries. We embrace high-tech and low-tech. We negotiate and we litigate. From start-ups to multi-nationals, our clients are our lifeblood. Delivering excellence is our objective.
“Jim Heffernan is widely regarded for their ability to guide complex real estate and development projects from concept through completion. Clients value their strategic oversight across zoning, permitting, and transactional matters, while peers highlight their depth of experience navigating regulatory frameworks and securing approvals for sophisticated developments.”