James E. Vallee
Partner / Boston Office Managing Partner / Practice Group Leader, Government Relations & Public Policy Group
Introduction
James Vallee is the practice group leader of the Government Relations & Public Policy group and a member of the Real Estate practice group. Jim works with large and mid-size corporate and non-profit clients providing strategic advice on government relations matters, including executive branch and legislative lobbying on policy, regulatory, and procurement matters at both the state and federal levels. Jim also serves as managing partner of the Boston office.
My focus
I draw on my 30 years of experience as a real estate and corporate lawyer, a Massachusetts legislator and leader, and my military experience to provide strategic counsel to large and mid-size publicly and privately held companies, nonprofit entities, and associations on complex government relations, legal, policy, regulatory, and compliance matters that affect their industries and their companies. I help shape clients’ goals and agenda to ensure that they are well positioned under existing state and federal laws and regulations, as well as lobby the legislative and executive branches to achieve my clients’ objectives.
I leverage my years of experience in government to help my clients anticipate legislative policy and regulatory changes that may affect their industry and their companies’ goals in the future. I work with my clients to deepen their understanding of public policy to help them make good, strategic business decisions for their companies’ state, national, and international operations.
I also have a robust real estate practice and work with real estate clients on complex transactions, including large zoning and permitting matters, ground and master leases, development and management agreements, acquisitions, dispositions, and financings.
Looking ahead
The growing intersection between the public and private sector provides both opportunities and challenges for companies in shaping their strategic growth goals.
In the news
- Law360
Nixon Peabody taps fintech-focused attorneys
June 17, 2025The following article covers the NP arrivals of Boston and New York City Complex Disputes partners Andrew Glass and Greg Blase. The coverage quotes Chicago partner and CDPG practice group leader John Ruskusky and Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee from the firm’s press release.
- Bloomberg Law
Nixon Peabody adds Andrew Glass, Greg Blase as partners
June 17, 2025The following article covers the NP arrivals of Boston and New York City Complex Disputes partners Andrew Glass and Greg Blase. The coverage quotes Chicago partner and CDPG practice group leader John Ruskusky and Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee from the firm’s press release.
- Reuters
The Daily Docket
June 17, 2025The following article covers the NP arrivals of Boston and New York City Complex Disputes partners Andrew Glass and Greg Blase. The coverage quotes Chicago partner and CDPG practice group leader John Ruskusky and Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee from the firm’s press release.
- New England Real Estate Journal
Fallon joins Nixon Peabody’s real estate practice as a partner in Boston
Oct 27, 2023This article highlights the NP arrival of Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Kristen Fallon. The article also quotes Boston partner and AHRE practice leader Chris Froeb and Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody gains threat response pro from Massachusetts DHS
Sep 29, 2023This article covers the NP arrival of Director of National Security and Resiliency Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe, noting her previous role as Massachusetts Undersecretary for Homeland Security. The article also quotes Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee and Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody adds REIT partner
Sep 7, 2023The following article highlights Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Kristen Fallon’s arrival to NP. Kristen is quoted in the Law360 article, which also quotes Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb and Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee.
- Bloomberg Law
Nixon Peabody adds real estate partner Kristen Fallon in Boston
Sep 7, 2023The following article highlights Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Kristen Fallon’s arrival to NP. Kristen is quoted in the Law360 article, which also quotes Boston partner and Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice leader Chris Froeb and Boston Office Managing Partner Jim Vallee.
- Boston Business Journal
Nixon Peabody names Jim Vallee managing partner in Boston
This article highlights the appointment of Jim Vallee as managing partner of the firm’s Boston office, mentioning his military service and details of his time on Beacon Hill as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The article also quotes Managing Partner and CEO Steve Zubiago and mentions former Boston office managing partner Chris Froeb, and his selection to lead the firm’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.July 25, 2022 - Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Nixon Peabody appoints former legislator to lead Boston office
This article highlights the appointment of Jim Vallee as managing partner of the firm’s Boston office, noting his military service and details of his time on Beacon Hill as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.July 25, 2022 - Bloomberg Law
Wake up call
This roundup of legal industry news includes the selection of Jim Vallee as the new managing partner of the firm’s Boston office. The article notes Jim’s previous role as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.July 21, 2022 - MetroWest Daily News
Former rep Fernandes joins law firm Nixon Peabody
This article features the arrival of Boston public finance counsel John Fernandes to Nixon Peabody. The coverage mentions that John was introduced to the firm through public finance partner Jim Vallee and quotes Boston office managing partner Ruth Silman.July 21, 2017 - Law360
Law360 names attys who moved up the firm ranks in Q1
This article mentions recent leadership promotions at the firm including David Brown, Jared Lusk, Jim Vallee, Graham Beck, Kathleen Ceglarski Burns, Emily Crandall Harlan, Daniel Gibbons, Linda Huber, Ilana Kameros, Haydon Keitner, Darren Miller, Neal Pandozzi, Edward Puerta, Stephen Reil, and Elizabeth Young.April 28, 2017
Admitted to practice
Massachusetts
Education
New England School of Law, J.D.
Providence College, B.A.
Syracuse University, National Security Fellow, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas
U.S. Army Infantry School, Ft. Benning, Georgia
U.S. Army Judge Advocate General School, University of Virginia
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the field of Real Estate Law; listed in Best Lawyers since 2023
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllDeborah VanAmerongen
Strategic Policy Advisor / Deputy Practice Group Leader, Affordable Housing & Real Estate- New York City
- Office:+1 212.940.3054
- dvanamerongen@nixonpeabody.com
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