Joshua M. Alper is a partner in the firm's Real Estate Department and co-chair of the firm's Environmental Law Group.
Josh is interested in tangible results, problem solving, and effecting sustainable change, crafting practical, creative, and flexible solutions to challenges posed by transactions and disputes. He practices primarily in the areas of commercial real estate, environmental and zoning matters, and all aspects of land use development.
Josh is the Editor of Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education’s “Commercial Real Estate Practice in Massachusetts,” a comprehensive guide covering all aspects of Massachusetts real estate practice, including purchase contracts; due diligence; zoning and environmental matters; financing; rights of first refusal; specific issues encountered in hospitality-sector transactions and solar facilities; and essential drafting guidance for both beginners and seasoned practitioners.
Experience
- Outside real estate counsel to The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC (including Giant Food Supermarkets), which has over 500 locations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
- Represents purchasers, sellers, landlords and tenants in negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, leases and environmental issues as part of acquisition or disposition of real estate
- Represents parties in sophisticated real estate transactions and regularly advises developers of commercial projects in connection with the acquisition, by purchase or lease, and development of property
- Represented seller in simultaneous sale of twenty-eight shopping centers
- Title and environmental counsel in the simultaneously securitized financing of forty-three shopping centers with collateral value of $250M
- Represented major retailer in connection with title and environmental due diligence for acquisition of 180 store chain in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi
Accolades
Speaking Engagements & Publications
- “Op-ed: Navigating New York’s new LLC transparency act,” co-author, Crain’s New York Business, July 10, 2024
- “Commercial Real Estate Practice in Massachusetts,” editor, MCLE, 2nd Edition 2023
- “Drafting & Negotiating Reciprocal Easement Agreements (REAs),” speaker, MCLE, June 9, 2021
- “Commercial Real Estate Practice in Massachusetts,” editor, MCLE, 1st Edition 2020
- Massachusetts Law Review, former member, Editorial Board
- Published in a broad spectrum of legal and business publications
- Frequent lecturer and panelist for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
- Environmental Law and Policy, adjunct professor, Brandeis University, 1991 and 1993
Related Blog Posts
- To Disclose, or Not to Disclose, That Is the Question: An Introduction to the NY LLC Transparency Act, April 22, 2024
- SJC Decision Permits Solicitation of Nominating Signatures at Supermarket Entrance, October 14, 2014
- Broker Awarded Fees Where Lease Was Not Signed, March 3, 2014
- Lender’s Title Insurance Coverage Does Not Extend to Lender Liability Claims, August 23, 2013
- Former Railroad Rights-of-Way, March 25, 2013
- Importance of Carefully Drafting Commercial Leases, May 16, 2012
Memberships
- The Abstract Club
- Boston Bar Association
- Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers
- Hearing Officer, 2015
- International Council of Shopping Centers
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Massachusetts Real Estate Bar Association
Community Involvement
- Town of Winchester Zoning Board of Appeals, 1993-1997; 2000-2009
- Town of Winchester Board of Selectmen, 1997-2000
- Town of Winchester Conservation Commission, 1989-1993
- Appalachian Mountain Club,
- Board of Advisors, 2012 – present
- North Country Board, 1980 -1990
