Overview
With 15 years of experience in complex litigation, Matt Furman, a partner at the firm, primarily represents commercial real estate firms, developers and landowners in high-stakes disputes concerning land use, permitting, title, boundaries, commercial leases, purchase rights and other real estate related controversies. His practice emphasizes strategic advocacy in Land Court and other forums where real estate and land use issues are litigated.
Matt’s approach begins with a focus on his clients’ long-term business goals. Whether the matter calls for aggressive litigation or a more pragmatic tactic, he tailors his strategy to reflect what truly matters to the client.
He regularly tries cases before judges and juries in Massachusetts courts, including the Land Court and the Superior Court’s Business Litigation Session. He also represents clients in appellate matters before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Massachusetts Appeals Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Matt has been instrumental in securing several high-stakes, high-profile victories. For example, he obtained a defense judgment following a bench trial dismissing an adverse possession claim as to commercial property owned by the firm’s client. The plaintiff previously owned the full parcel adjoining the client’s property but conveyed the parcel to a condominium in 2004 – during the 20-year adverse possession period – retaining ownership of one of two units (buildings) on the parcel and a corresponding percentage interest in the common area.
A Massachusetts Superior Court judge ruled that under Massachusetts statutory law only the condominium association had the authority to pursue a claim for adding property to the common areas. The judge also determined that the plaintiff could not seek to tack on open and notorious acts of possession of the disputed parcel from prior to the creation of the condominium in 2004 – necessary to meet the 20-year period – as any tacking rights were conveyed to the condominium when it was created.
An active member in the professional community, Matt is currently a member of the Real Estate Bar Association, Litigation Section, Land Use and Zoning Law Section, and Commercial Leasing Section. He is also a frequent contributor to REBA News, the newspaper of the Real Estate Bar Association.