Experience

Attorney Elizabeth Lane has nearly 30 years of experience in municipal law, specializing in land use law across a broad spectrum, including zoning, subdivision control, wetlands and environmental protection. In addition, Attorney Lane is a highly experienced general municipal law practitioner, who has represented municipalities both large and small, with the resultant diversity of issues and problems such communities present. As a counselor, she has written numerous opinions on land use and general municipal topics, and as a litigator, has represented numerous municipal clients in litigation before state and federal courts and agencies, including appeals, dispute resolution and settlement negotiation, and has won clients appellate decisions establishing favorable precedent for municipalities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Attorney Lane’s experience also includes negotiation of complex land development agreements, land use planning assistance and agreements for lease, sale and acquisition of real estate, and the transfer and restriction of development rights. A particular area of concentration is the drafting of local zoning and general legislation and regulations to suit novel or complex situations, and Attorney Lane specializes in analyzing clients’ existing bylaws and ordinances and crafting amendments to modernize or streamline such local laws tailored to better serve each community. She has specialized in the drafting and amendment of local law in the area of signs, as well as in earth removal, both of which are highly sensitive and demanding areas.

In the area of general municipal law, Attorney Lane specializes in municipal finance; open meeting and public records law; conflict of interest; town meeting and local regulatory enforcement. She has particular expertise in drafting local legislation and in drafting and obtaining special state legislation.

Association & Professional Memberships

• Massachusetts Bar Association
• Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
• Massachusetts Federation of Zoning and Planning Officials
• Past Associate Member, Milton Conservation Commission

Bar & Court Admissions

• Massachusetts Bar
• U.S. District Court (Mass.)
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• U.S. Tax Court

Education

Northeastern University School of Law
    Juris Doctor, 1978

Boston State College
    Master of Education with honors, 1969

Stonehill College
   Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, 1967
   Judge Stone Scholar

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Attorney Lane is a frequent speaker at conferences and association meetings. Topics include:

• “Zoning Exemptions”
• “Regulation of Nonconformities”
• “Municipal Law Basics – Open Meeting, Public Record and Conflict of Interest”
• “How to Hold Public Hearings and Draft Defensible Decisions”
• “Considerations in Local Regulation of Signs – Aesthetics and Grandfathering”
• “How to Work with your town counsel – distinctions in the Private and Public Practice of Law”
• “Zoning 201 – Current Issues and Hot Topics,” 2006
• “Laying the Groundwork: Zoning Planning and Subdivision Basics,” 2005
• “Zoning and Subdivision Control,” Citizen Planner Training Collaborative,” 1995 to present

“Application of Home Rule to Municipal Land Use Controls,” Boston Bar Association, 1995

• “Understanding the Local Regulatory Process,” Build Boston, 1991
• “The Municipal Perspective: Problems that Arise when the Pace of Development Slows Down,” Landlaw, 1989
• “Comprehensive Permits: Racing Against the Clock” with Leonard Kopelman and Barbara J. St. Andre, Municipal Forum, 1988
• “For Municipal Chief Executives: Managing the Local Planning Process” with Leonard Kopelman, Municipal Forum, 1986

< Prev		Next >