Johanna W. Schneider

Director 

jschneider@rackemann.com

vCard

Tel: 617-951-1162

- Litigation

 

Education

Bar and Court Admissions

• Massachusetts
• Washington D.C.
• U.S. District Court, Massachusetts

Practice Focus

Ms. Schneider focuses her practice on real estate development permitting, land use and environmental litigation, and green building and sustainability issues.
She represents public and private entity clients at the trial and appellate levels on a variety of matters including zoning, subdivision, wetlands and land use permitting appeals, environmental contamination disputes, and eminent domain claims. She guides clients through local, state, and federal permitting processes for complex real estate development projects, and counsels clients in the development of “green” buildings with respect to compliance with state and local requirements for sustainable real estate development.

Background

Ms. Schneider joined Rackemann as a Director in 2011.  Prior to joining the firm, she was a partner at Choate, Hall & Stewart in Boston.  Before entering law school, she worked for two Washington, D.C.–area consulting firms providing contract support to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

She has been recognized as a Massachusetts SuperLawyer “Rising Star” in a research project conducted jointly by Boston and Law & Politics magazines.

Notable Experience

• Assisted national REIT in obtaining state and local permits for Archstone Boston Common, 440-unit residential development in Boston.
• Assisted in permitting and approvals process for redevelopment of Charles River Park, Boston.
• Represented regional land use planning authorities in numerous permit appeals in Land Court and Superior Court.
• Represented financial institution and charitable foundation in mediation to resolve CERCLA liability arising from hazardous waste activities of predecessor entities.
• Represented clients in eminent domain trials in State and Federal Court.

Professional Activities

• Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate
• Urban Land Institute, Programs Committee
• National Association of Office and Industrial Properties, Municipal Bylaw Review Subcommittee
• University of Virginia Law School Foundation, Class Agent
• Co-Chair, Boston Bar Association Land Use and Development Committee
  

Publications

“Capturing the Renewable Energy Potential of Commercial Buildings,” speaker, Developing the Community: A Conference on New Markets, Historic, and Energy Tax Credits, Grants and Programs, American Bar Association, Newport, RI, October 2009.

Honors and Awards

• Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2009-2010)