Atty. Tess Edwards
Tess Edwards advises clients on a broad range of land use matters. Tess specializes in zoning and permitting matters — from supporting commercial and residential developers in obtaining local and wetlands permits, to litigating those permits on appeal.
Land Use And Zoning Law & More Attorney · Serving Boston, MA
Profile Summary
About Tess Edwards at a Glance
Tess Edwards is a real estate and zoning attorney based in Boston, Massachusetts, practicing at Pierce Atwood LLP. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association. Educated at Boston College Law School (J.D., 2020). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Land Use and Zoning Law (2026) and Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law (2026). Serves clients in Boston, MA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Tess Edwards
- Tess Edwards advises clients on a broad range of land use matters
- Tess specializes in zoning and permitting matters — from supporting commercial and residential developers in obtaining local and wetlands permits, to litigating those permits on appeal
- She also advises clients on real estate transactions, including acquisitions, leasing, and development of residential subdivisions, multifamily residential, medical, industrial, marina, and hotel properties
- Tess has a passion for renewable energy development and supports utility-scale solar and battery energy storage developers in permitting, financing, and contracting
- She has also represented landowners and municipalities in leasing land to energy developers by reviewing leases, PPAs, and PILOT agreements
- Tess also regularly advises renewable energy investors by reviewing and advising on existing project portfolios
- Drawing on her prior experience at the Land Court, she also assists individual property owners with complex title matters, affordable housing law, municipal law, and property disputes, including withdrawing land from Article 97, Chapter 61, 61A, 61B, and permitting coastal structures under Chapter 91 and the Wetlands Protection Act
- Prior to joining Pierce Atwood, Tess spent two years as law clerk to the Honorable Robert B. Foster of the Land Court Department of the Massachusetts Trial Court
- During law school, Tess was president of the Environmental Law Society and an instructor at law in Boston College’s Environmental Law Teaching Program
- She gained experience in environmental and real estate law through her legal internships with Vineyard Wind, the Land Court (Hon
- Michael D. Vhay), the Environmental Protection Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S
- Department of Interior’s Solicitor’s Office in Boston
- Tess also served as a student attorney with the Boston College Civil Litigation Clinic, representing clients before the housing and family courts
Practice Areas Explained
Tess Edwards's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Tess Edwards handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Boston.
Real Estate Law in Boston
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Tess Edwards is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Massachusetts →
Land Use & Zoning in Boston
Tess Edwards is one of 39,875 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Massachusetts →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Boston
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 venue, 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.
Boston Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Boston-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Massachusetts attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Boston or all attorneys in Massachusetts.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Boston Choose Tess Edwards
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Tess Edwards's practice in the field of real estate and zoning.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering real estate and zoning, Tess Edwards can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Boston
A Boston-based practice means Tess Edwards attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Tess Edwards Handles in Boston
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Tess Edwards has experience with under Massachusetts law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Tess Edwards directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Tess Edwards Online
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Tess Edwards's Practice Areas & Specializations
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