Johanna W. Schneider advises clients on real estate development permitting and land use and environmental disputes. She represents public and private clients in real estate disputes at all stages of litigation, including mediations and appeals. Her experience includes:

• Zoning, subdivision, wetlands and land use permitting appeals
• Real property disputes, including easement, adverse possession and construction claims
• Environmental contamination disputes
• Eminent domain claims

Working on complex real estate development projects, Johanna directs owners, developers and other entities through local, state and federal permitting processes. She frequently represents clients before permitting authorities, such as:

• Boston Planning and Development Agency
• Boston Zoning Commission
• Municipal Zoning Boards of Appeal
• City and Town Planning Boards
• Conservation Commissions
• MEPA

Johanna is active in industry associations and serves on her town’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Prior to practicing law, Johanna was a consultant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She is accredited as a LEED© Green Associate by the US Green Building Council.

• Assisted national REIT in obtaining state and municipal approvals for the development of 700+ apartment units in the West End of Boston
• Assisted national real estate developer in permitting of 85-unit apartment complex in Kendall Square, Cambridge
• Represented Boston-based developer in obtaining state and municipal approvals for development of more than 400 residential units in Brighton (Boston)
• Represented developer in securing planning board approval of 40+ lot residential subdivision
• Represented Fortune 100 company in multi-party real estate contract and construction litigation
• Assisted national REIT in obtaining state and local permits for 440-unit residential development in Chinatown neighborhood of 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
• Served on allocation team for Remedial Design phase of remediation of Gowanus Canal under CERCLA

Named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list and Rising Stars list

• Member, Massachusetts Land Court Working Group on Litigation Alternatives (2015-2017)
• Co-Chair, Boston Bar Association Land Use and Development Committee (2012-2014)
• Boston Bar Association Law Day Dinner Steering Committee Member (2014; 2016)
• Co-author, “Condo Developers Must Understand Building Defect Claims,” Law360 (March 2018)
• Frequent presenter on real estate permitting, land use, litigation, and renewable energy topics

• Town of Brookline Zoning Board of Appeals Member (2013-present)
• Town of Brookline Zoning By-Law Committee, Member
• University of Virginia Law School Foundation, Class Agent
• Board Member, Driscoll Extended Day Program
• PTO Room Parent, Michael Driscoll Elementary School, Brookline, MA

"Real estate development is complex. Achieving a client’s objectives requires an understanding of permitting requirements, the underlying real estate transaction, local political and community dynamics, and litigation risk. With a broad-based real estate background, I bring a combination of knowledge, experience, and practical advice to help my clients during every stage of a project."