Profile
Sean P. Nehill focuses on real estate matters including zoning, permitting, and commercial transactions.
Sean draws from nearly 16 years of public sector experience with the Boston Planning Department (BPD) and the City of Boston.
At the BPD, Sean negotiated and structured permitting documents under Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code and the Inclusionary Development Policy. Notably, he was involved in the negotiation and sale of the City of Boston’s Winthrop Square Garage, a significant public land transfer resulting in over $150 million to support the City of Boston.
During his time at the BPD, Sean also advised on legal issues related to the management and disposition of the agency's real estate portfolio in the Charlestown Navy Yard and the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park. Further, he provided counsel on obligations arising under the Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, Conflict of Interest Law, and public procurement law.
Sean has represented public agencies before the Attorney General’s Division of Open Government, the Attorney General’s Bid Unit, the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Division of Public Records, and other investigatory bodies.
Prior to his role at the BPD, Sean served as an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Boston. His responsibilities included representing the city in tax litigation matters before the Land Court and providing in-house counsel to various city departments. He also defended these city departments in litigation matters ranging from breach of contract actions to complaints alleging violations of the Fair Housing Act.
Capabilities
Experience
- Negotiated, drafted, and closed a land disposition agreement that authorizes approximately 20,000 square feet of retail and over 300 residential units in a South Shore municipality.°
- Obtained Boston Planning Department approval and secured zoning relief from the City of Boston Board of Appeal for the new headquarters of a neighborhood health center.°
- Provided counsel on the implementation of a land disposition agreement that will result in the construction of a state-of-the-art ambulatory center in a South Shore municipality.°
- Negotiated, drafted, and closed the sale and construction agreement authorizing the conveyance and redevelopment of the Winthrop Square Garage that resulted in over $150 million in revenue to the City of Boston.°
- Served as lead in-house counsel on several complex commercial land transactions involving the ground lease of BPD-owned assets in the Charlestown Navy Yard (CNY), and the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (RLFMP) in South Boston.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Nehill prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- Boston Planning & Development Agency’s (BPDA) Office of General Counsel, 2015-2022
- Associate General Counsel, 2019-2022
- Senior Counsel, 2015-2019
- City of Boston, 2006-2015
- Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel, Law Department, 2012-2015
- Special Assistant Corporation Counsel, Department of Neighborhood Development, 2011-2012
- Assistant Corporation Counsel, Law Department, 2006-2011
Recognition & Leadership
- Member, Boston Bar Association
- Prior Member, Real Estate Section
- Co-Chair, Law School Outreach Sub-Committee
- Co-Chair, Legislation and Public Policy Sub-Committee
- Prior Member, Real Estate Section
Credentials
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J.D., The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
- Lead Article Editor, Journal of Communications Law and Policy
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B.A., cum laude, Boston College
- Member, Order of the Cross and Crown
- Law Clerk to the Justices, Massachusetts Superior Court, 2005-2006
- Massachusetts