Highlights

Johnson & Borenstein LLC is a mid-sized law firm located 20 miles north of Boston in Andover, Massachusetts. The firm concentrates its practice geographically in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, Southern & Central New Hampshire, and Southern & Central Maine. The firm has attorneys admitted to practice in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, California and the District of Columbia.

Johnson & Borenstein's team has superior experience and qualifications in all aspects of real estate transactions, litigation and land development. In addition, the firm also focuses its practice on business and construction litigation, foreclosures and work-outs; and counsels corporations and individuals in closely held business matters.

Our practice areas include:
Real Estate Development/Permitting ● Real Estate Financing & Conveyancing ● Civil Litigation
Condominium, Leasing and Contractual counseling ● Title Litigation & Insurance Defense
Business & Corporate Representation

Johnson & Borenstein has established a reputation for providing the highest quality legal representation in a cost effective and client-focused manner regardless of the size or scope of the matter. From simple residential closings to large-scale construction financing or complex land or business litigation, the Johnson & Borenstein team applies its practical and personal approach to produce successful results for its clients.

News

• Sales of new single-family homes up!
  Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 11% nationally in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000 units, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures released on July 27.  Coming on the heels of an upwardly revised number for May, the gain marks a third consecutive month of improved sales activity.  New-home sales for June rose by double-digits in the Northeast at 29.2%.
  Click for more information
  
  
• Housing Appeals Committee grants Summary Decision in Developer's favor
  Johnson & Borenstein successfully appealled the Andover Zoning Board's denial of a Comprehensive Permit for the 32-unit Taylor Cove townhouse project.  The Zoning Board had rejected the project in February 2009, based on several legal positions taken by the Board, including its assertion that a 1980's cluster subdivision permit prohibited the development of a condominium on a portion of the project site.  In deciding the appeal, the HAC rejected all of the Board's arguments and found that the Comprehensive Permit Statute gave ample authority to override any adverse provisions in the old subdivision permit.   Johnson & Borenstein expects to continue with its permitting of the Taylor Cove project immediately.  (7/2009)
  Click for more information
  
  
• Long-time paralegal, Kathryn Morin, admitted as Massachusetts attorney
  Johnson & Borenstein is pleased to announce that Kathryn M. Morin has been admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.  Kathryn has been with the firm as a paralegal and Director of Administration for many years.  For the past four years she has also been working towards her law degree at the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, MA.  Earlier this year, Kathryn received her Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude, passed the Massachusetts bar exam, and was recently sworn in as a Massachusetts attorney.  She also intends to seek admission to the bar in her home state of New Hampshire.  Kathryn will continue to focus on real estate transactions, where she will now draw on her legal education, as well as, over 24 years of paralegal experience.  Kathryn will also be expanding her practice into the areas of estate planning, counseling closely held businesses and commercial litigation.  Kathryn’s proven dedication to the firm’s clients, along with her exceptional organizational skills and unique legal experience will surely serve her well in her “new” career as an attorney.  Congratulations Kathryn!  (6/2009)
  
  
• Johnson & Borenstein, LLC welcomes Attorney Lorri S. Covitz to team
  Johnson & Borenstein, LLC is pleased to announce that Attorney Lorri S. Covitz of Andover, Massachusetts has joined the firm.  Lorri is a cum laude graduate of Suffolk University Law School and the University of Massachusetts’ School of Business Administration.  For nearly twenty years, Lorri has been the principle of Lorri S. Covitz, P.C., a successful real estate conveyancing firm formerly located at 90 Main Street in Andover.  As an associate of Johnson & Borenstein, she will continue to serve her existing clients and will also utilize her extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of real estate transactions, real estate financing, and conveyancing to support clients of Johnson & Borenstein.  Given her long-time, personal dedication to the needs of her clients and her proven skills in handling various types of real estate transactions, Lorri will be an integral part of the Johnson & Borenstein team.  She is the latest example of the firm’s commitment to maintaining an exceptional legal staff and providing the highest quality representation to its clients. (2/2009)
  Click for more information
  
  
• Planning Board forced to endorse “ANR” subdivision plan following landowner’s appeal
  Johnson & Borenstein successfully appealed the refusal of the Boxford, MA Planning Board to endorse its client’s “Approval Not Required” subdivision plan.  The MA Land Court decided the case on Johnson & Borenstein’s motion for summary judgment and found that the presence of significant wetland areas on the property and the necessity of a wetlands crossing did not justify the Planning Board’s refusal to endorse the plan.  The decision completes a series of successful appeals brought by Johnson & Borenstein that were necessary to address several municipal board decisions initially refusing approval to subdivide or develop the property. (5/2009).
  
  
• Claims against commercial equipment leasing company dismissed as a result of Johnson & Borenstein's summary judgment motion.
  Johnson & Borenstein successfully defended the leasing company in a case brought by its former customer.  The customer had alleged six-figure claims for breach of contract, implied warranties, negligence and ch. 93A for alleged damage to its property.  Johnson & Borenstein achieved a dismissal of the action on a summary basis and without requiring a trial.  The leasing company was represented by Don Borenstein.  (3/2009)
  Click for more information
  
  
• Land owner successfully defended against building inspector's order and abutter's appeal.
  Johnson & Borenstein successfully defended the land owner against an order of the building inspector and an abutter's subsequent appeal.  The property owner was alleged to have unlawfully violated the Town's earth removal zoning bylaw and was issued a cease and desist order.  Johnson & Borenstein secured a reversal of the order from the Town's zoning board and then successfully moved to dismiss an abutter's appeal of that action by way of a summary judgment decision entered in the MA Superior Court.  Mark B. Johnson and Denise Brogna represented the land owner.  (3/2009)
  Click for more information
  
  
• Mark B. Johnson joins faculty of Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education's 11th annual Real Estate Law Conference
  Mark B. Johnson has been asked to join the faculty of Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education's 11th annual Real Estate Law Conference.  The Conference features workshops presented by expert real estate attorneys from around the state.  Mark will be presenting a workshop on issues faced by escrow agents in real estate closings and methods for safeguarding client escrow funds.  This topic is particularly important in today's financial market, where decisions regarding escrow deposits require a greater depth of consideration than may have been common in the past. (2/2009)
  Click for more information