Jennifer R. Schultz
Partner / Leader, National Permitting & Land Use Practice
Introduction
My focus
Real Estate Development
I help clients permit their real estate development projects from local to state to federal approvals, including community and government relations, tax abatements, and government subsidies and funding. I am a traditional dirt lawyer, which makes my practice part law, part politics, and part grassroots organizing.
Life Sciences Development
For my sub specialty in life sciences development, I have permitted over one dozen significant life science developments in and around the Boston area in the last several years, including a collaboration between a large life sciences developer and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council to create a first-of-its-kind workforce training program providing stackable certificates to create a new pathway into life science careers for high school graduates.
Land-Use and Zoning
As part of my practice, I also advise clients on and negotiate land-use agreements, including complex long-term ground and air rights leases and development, abutter, and reciprocal easement agreements. My land use practice also includes resolving complex easement issues and preparing land use-related agreements. It is important that I stay abreast of all relevant political issues in each neighborhood in which we work that will affect our clients in bigger-pictures ways.
Looking ahead
I look forward to finding opportunities for developer clients to cost-effectively manage the transition to clean energy.
/Insights
- “Delivering Affordable Housing: Development Strategies for Achieving True Affordability,” Boston Affordable Housing Summit, August 1, 2024
- “Investing in Renewable Energy to reach Boston's Long Term Sustainability Metrics,” Building a Sustainable Boston: Carbon Footprint, Berdo 2.0 & Emerging Green Technology, April 24, 2024
- "Member Spotlight: Jennifer Schultz, Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP," Boston / New England ULI, March 22, 2024
- "In The Boston Life Sciences Market, There's Always A Need For More: Bisnow’s Boston Life Sciences Real Estate Conference," Bisnow, March 8, 2024
- 2023 article & an update supplement on green hydrogen, environmental law journal (author)
- MCLE:
- Boston Zoning: A Lawyer’s Handbook (co-author)
- Boston Zoning Manual (author and co-author of multiple chapters)
In the news
- Banker & Tradesman
Empty Boston office towers have few options. Could housing be one?
April 2, 2025This article includes commentary from Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use practice, on the potential conversion of Boston office tower One Lincoln’s vacant floor space. Jenn coordinated a study of the tower’s potential alternative use with a team from Gensler, AECOM Tishman, and Collaborative RED.
- Boston Real Estate Times
Boston Real Estate Times presents Outstanding Women of Commercial Real Estate in 2025
March 13, 2025This article mentions Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use practice, for being recognized as one of the publication’s 2025 “Outstanding Women of Commercial Real Estate” honorees.
- Boston Real Estate Times
Jennifer Schultz: Leading Nixon Peabody’s national Permitting & Land Use practice
Jan 31, 2025This article profiles Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use practice, as part of her 2025 “Outstanding Women of Commercial Real Estate” recognition. Jenn discusses what she enjoys about her work, charitable and professional groups she belongs to, and how she helps create positive impact in the community, as well as some of her favorite interests and inspirations.
- Bisnow
New proposals create confusion for Boston’s historic districts and properties
Jan 28, 2025This article covers confusion arising from recent zoning changes in Boston. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s National Permitting & Land Use practice, is quoted in the article discussing how the confusion is making it difficult for developers and investors to want to build and invest in the city.
- Boston Real Estate Times
Boston Real Estate Times announces 2025 ‘Outstanding Women of Commercial Real Estate’
Jan 14, 2025This article features Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use practice, for being named to the publication’s 2025 “Outstanding Women of Commercial Real Estate” list, recognizing trailblazers, visionaries, and innovators who are redefining the business landscape
- Bisnow
New solutions to the workforce housing crisis
Oct 28, 2024This article covers a shortage of workforce housing, specifically in urban centers in Massachusetts and other states. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use practice, is quoted in the article, discussing the various tools and solutions available to address the workforce housing shortage.
- Bisnow
Shen's return as Boston planning chief hailed as ‘beacon of hope’ for developers
Oct 3, 2024This article covers Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s decision to appoint Kairos Shen as the city’s chief of planning. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use practice, is quoted in the coverage discussing the real estate industry’s reaction. Jenn notes that developers feel a level of comfort with Shen as someone they have worked with before and many on the private side see him as a beacon of hope.
- Bisnow
As Boston’s students face annual housing crunch, universities pursue new solutions
Sep 5, 2024This article covers a push from Boston-area universities to help alleviate the housing shortage by moving forward with a series of new proposals for universities to build more student housing. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use practice, discusses how public-private partnerships have attracted new developers to work with universities and created significant opportunities.
- Bisnow
‘Start a new lane’: Developers want to bring more workforce housing to Cape Cod and the islands
Aug 13, 2024This article covers the serious housing shortage in Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use team, is quoted in the coverage from a panel discussion at the publication’s Affordable Housing Summit. She discusses the unique geographic challenges in Cape Cod and the islands, as well as the region’s high land and home values that are often barriers to bringing more workforce housing to the region.
- Law360
Hub hires: Nixon Peabody
This roundup of Boston’s notable legal moves since the start of April includes the NP arrivals of Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use team, senior counsel Adam Weisenberg and counsel Jordan Smith, and Global Finance partners Jonathan Winnick and Mike Tentindo, all of the Boston office.May 1, 2024 - Bisnow
Boston CRE raises alarm as Mayor Wu proposes sharp increase in commercial property taxes
April 23, 2024This article covers Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposal to increase commercial property taxes and the criticism it’s generating in the real estate community. Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use team, is quoted in the coverage, discussing the proposal’s impact on a sector that is still challenged by an unstable market with significantly higher interest rates.
- Bisnow
This week’s Boston deal sheet
April 15, 2024This roundup of commercial real estate news in Boston includes the NP arrivals of Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use team, senior counsel Adam Weisenberg, and counsel Jordan Smith.
- Bloomberg Law
Nixon Peabody adds Jennifer Schultz to Boston office
April 11, 2024The following article features the NP arrivals of Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use team, senior counsel Adam Weisenberg, and counsel Jordan Smith.
- Boston Real Estate Times
Nixon Peabody adds real estate team focused on land use, permitting, and zoning
April 11, 2024The following article features the NP arrivals of Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Jenn Schultz, leader of the firm’s Permitting & Land Use team, senior counsel Adam Weisenberg, and counsel Jordan Smith.
Admitted to practice
Massachusetts
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D.
Middlebury College, B.A., magna cum laude
Professional activities
- Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
- ULI Boston Market Product Council, co-chair 2023–2025
- CREW Boston, member
- NAIOP Government Affairs Committee, New England, member
- Massachusetts Chapter of NAIOP, member
- Cohasset Zoning Board of Appeals, former board member
Recognition
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, "Top Women of Law" 2023
- Connect CRE Conference, “Boston & New England Women in Real Estate Award” 2023
- Business Today, “Top 10 Massachusetts Influencers in Real Estate Zoning and Land Use” 2023
- Recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2024 editorial for Next Generation Partners, Real estate - Land use/zoning; also recognized in 2023-2022
- Boston Magazine, “Top Lawyers, Land Use Environment” 2021–2023
- Chambers USA, Real Estate - Zoning/Land Use 2021–2024
- The Legal 500 U.S., "Rising Star" 2021
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, "Rising Star" 2019, 2021
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, "Up & Coming Lawyer in Real Estate Development Law” and "Legal Excellence Award” 2017
Pro bono services
- Friends of Holly Hill Farm
Languages
French
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllChristopher R. Froeb
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Real Estate & Affordable Housing- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.1137
- cfroeb@nixonpeabody.com
-
Ian T. O'Banion
Partner / AIA / LEED®AP- San Francisco
- Office:+1 415.984.8313
- iobanion@nixonpeabody.com
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