Atty. Philip S. Lapatin

Atty. Philip S. Lapatin

Philip S. Lapatin is a member of the Real Estate Department and concentrates his practice in the representation of landlords and tenants in commercial leasing transactions.

Call (617) 523-2700 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Philip S. Lapatin at a glance

Philip S. Lapatin is a real estate attorney based in Boston, Massachusetts, practicing at Holland & Knight LLP. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association. Educated at Cornell University (BA). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Medallion of Service, Omega Tau Rho (National Association of Realtors) (2026). Serands clients in Boston, MA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Philip S. Lapatin is a member of the Real Estate Department and concentrates his practice in the representation of landlords and tenants in commercial leasing transactions
  • In particular, Mr. Lapatin is counsel to owners of several downtown Boston office buildings
  • Mr. Lapatin has been providing legal advice as general counsel to the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and its divisions since 1973, including suits in which rent control ordinances and condominium conversion restrictions were invalidated
  • the state licensing agency was barred from enforcing a regulation which obligated brokers to become involved in the resolution of deposit disputes
  • and the City of Boston was prevented from taxing the owners of large buildings in order to fund fire department costs
  • His work for the Real Estate Board has also brought him before legislative committees and various regulatory agencies
  • Mr. Lapatin is the author of The Massachusetts Landlord Survival Guide, a regularly updated explanation of apartment leasing, and the Real Estate Board's Standard Forms Guide and Legal Desk Book
  • In addition, he has written a series of pamphlets on brokerage law and contributes monthly legal articles to newsletters published by the Real Estate Board's various divisions
  • He lectures frequently and has been a guest on television and radio programs discussing real estate topics
  • He also serves as case commentator for the Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts, reviewing and analyzing new court decisions of interest to practitioners

Practice Areas Explained

Philip S. Lapatin's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Philip S. Lapatin handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Philip S. Lapatin is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Massachusetts →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Massachusetts

Practicing law in Massachusetts. Legal matters in Massachusetts are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Boston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Massachusetts state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Massachusetts brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Massachusetts courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Massachusetts attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Boston or all attorneys in Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Philip S. Lapatin

Where is Philip S. Lapatin's law office located?
Philip S. Lapatin's law practice is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm is Holland & Knight LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Philip S. Lapatin handle?
Philip S. Lapatin focuses on real estate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Massachusetts.
Where did Philip S. Lapatin go to law school?
Philip S. Lapatin earned their education at (BA).
How can I contact Philip S. Lapatin for a consultation?
You can contact Philip S. Lapatin directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Philip S. Lapatin received?
Philip S. Lapatin's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — Medallion of Service, Omega Tau Rho (National Association of Realtors); Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Counsel Edition, Super Lawyers magazine, May 2009; Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Bar Association's Richard B. Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008.

Practice Areas

Education

BA
Cornell University
- In Progress

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Medallion of Service, Omega Tau Rho (National Association of Realtors)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Counsel Edition, Super Lawyers magazine, May 2009
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Bar Association's Richard B. Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Massachusetts Super Lawyers magazine, 2005-2013
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers guide, Real Estate, 2013
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association

Reviews

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.