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Matthew Snell, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP Photo

Matthew H. Snell

Co-Chair, Development, Land Use and Permitting / Boston

Overview

Matthew H. Snell is a partner in Nutter's Real Estate Department and co-chair of the Development, Land Use and Permitting practice group. He focuses his practice on the development and use of land, with a concentration in zoning and permitting matters, environmental enforcement and compliance, and real estate transactions. He has significant experience practicing in front of local, state, and federal boards and agencies in matters involving zoning and land use, regulatory permitting and enforcement matters, and the development of contaminated properties.

He represents individuals and corporate clients at all phases of the zoning and land use process as well as environmental compliance and litigation matters, including G.L. c. 21E litigation, CERCLA, planning, and enforcement defense. He has experience counseling developer clients in all aspects of Brownfields redevelopment and tax credits.

Matt’s practice also includes the representation of business entities and municipalities in infrastructure development, permitting and siting of renewable projects, waterfront development, solid and hazardous waste compliance, and other regulatory matters.

His recent and current matters include:

  • Working as part of the project team to modify prior zoning and land use approvals, including Article 80 (Boston zoning), MEPA, M.G.L. c. 91, and wetlands, for a large mixed-use project in Boston’s Seaport District;
  • Working with a Nutter team to complete the permitting of the first phase of an office/laboratory/residential multi-phase project in Somerville, MA;
  • Supporting the zoning and permitting for the ongoing development of Assembly Row in Somerville, MA;
  • Working with national multi-family developers with the permitting and land use approvals for projects throughout Greater Boston;
  • Representing national developers in permitting and zoning of mixed use developments in the City of Boston, including a large workforce housing project; the development of a former wharf on Boston Harbor as office and residential space; and the development of a core real estate block in Downtown Boston for office and hotel uses;
  • Assisting municipalities with compliance with Clean Water Act Consent Decrees;
  • Permitting and compliance assistance for national petroleum terminal client;
  • Representing national supermarket chains with compliance, solid waste enforcement, and permitting activities throughout New England;
  • Permitting of a wind data tower and wind farm in western Massachusetts and supported litigation regarding the construction; and
  • Solid and hazardous waste matters, including site assignment, brownfields tax credits, and permitting of landfills.

Prior to joining Nutter, Matt practiced with other law firms in Boston where he represented clients in a wide array of areas including development, toxic torts, premise liability, product liability, and maritime/admiralty matters before state and federal courts.

Matt is a member of the Boston Bar Association, NAIOP, the Environmental Business Council, and the Licensed Site Professional Association.

During law school, Matt served as executive comment and note editor at the New England Law Review and published “Major Modifications and Routine Maintenance: Does the EPA’s New Exclusion Equal More Pollution?” in the New England Law Review, Volume 39, Fall 2004. Matt served as law clerk to Magistrate Judge Robert B. Collings at the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Prior to entering the legal profession, he worked as a geologist and environmental scientist with ENSR Corporation and Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation.

Experience

Experience

  • Centreville Bank

    Nutter served as sole outside legal counsel to Centreville Bank in connection with its agreement to acquire Putnam Bank and its holding company, PB Bancorp, Inc., in a transaction valued at approximately $115.5 million.

  • Veracross LLC

    Represented Veracross LLC, a provider of software and services to independent primary and secondary schools, in its majority recapitalization by BV Investment Partners, a middle-market private equity firm focused on the business services, software, and IT services sectors.

  • Lallemand USA, Inc.

    Nutter represented Lallemand USA, Inc. in its acquisition of the Hutchinson, MN yeast manufacturing operations of Ohly. 

  • Phoenix Property Company/Lincoln Property Company

    Nutter represented Lincoln Property Company and Phoenix Property Company in a joint venture with an institutional capital partner in connection with the acquisition of development rights and the permitting and transactional aspects relating to this multi-party mixed-used development. 

    New construction mixed-use development project totaling 499,500 square feet. The project includes a 12-story multi-family apartment building containing approximately 300,000 square feet and 304 first-class rental apartment residences, including 22 on-site affordable units and additional off-site contributions to Boston’s affordable housing stock. Resident amenities include a rooftop pool, Skydeck, gym and wellness studio. The apartment building also contains 22,816 square feet of space that can be used for retail, restaurant and/or office space. The adjacent Hotel Component, located a shared podium, was developed into a 12-story Hyatt Place hotel with 294 rooms. There is a one-level underground parking garage beneath the apartment building and garage that can accommodate up to 450 cars. The mixed-use development is situated on Massport’s “Parcel K” and was constructed pursuant to 3 separate 99-year ground leases entered with Massport.

  • Private Investment Firm

    Nutter represented a private investment firm specializing in energy infrastructure investments when it sought to purchase two natural gas power plants. Nutter assisted with the due diligence review and negotiation of the purchase and sale agreement. The private investment firm initially engaged Nutter to focus on state environmental, real estate, and energy issues. As negotiations progressed, Nutter advised the firm on tax, labor, employee benefits, and other contractual issues as well.

  • First Commons Bank, N.A.

    Nutter advised First Commons Bank, N.A., in its merger with Brookline Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: BRKL). The total value of the transaction was approximately $55.958 million. 

  • Eastprint Incorporated

    Nutter served as legal counsel to Eastprint Incorporated, a printed electronics solutions provider, in connection with its acquisition by East West Manufacturing, LLC, an integrated design, engineering, manufacturing, and distribution services partner for original equipment manufacturers and distributors throughout North America and Europe.

  • Griffith Properties, LLC and DRA Advisors

    Nutter served as legal counsel to Griffith Properties, LLC and DRA Advisors in a joint venture in the acquisition, financing, and permitting for redevelopment of 580 Pleasant Street in Watertown, MA.

  • T.F. Boyle Transportation, Inc.

    Nutter served as legal counsel to T.F. Boyle Transportation, Inc. in its acquisition by Toronto-based Andlauer Healthcare Group Inc. (TSX: AND).

News & Insights

News

Publications

Honors

Honors

  • Chambers USA, Leading U.S. Environmental Attorney, 2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2023-2024
  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, "Go To Environmental/Energy Lawyer," 2023
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2009-2015

Education & Admissions

Education

New England Law | Boston, J.D., magna cum laude, 2005
Excelsior College, B.S., 1997

Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • Supreme Judicial Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Industry Expertise

Matt represents individuals and corporate clients on zoning and land use issues as well as environmental compliance and litigation matters including G.L. c. 21E litigation, CERCLA, planning and enforcement defense. He has experience counseling developer clients in all aspects of Brownfields redevelopment and tax credits.

Noteworthy

  • Chambers USA, Leading U.S. Environmental Attorney, 2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2023-2024
  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, "Go To Environmental/Energy Lawyer," 2023
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2009-2015
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