Lydia G. Chesnick

Overview

Lydia Chesnick’s practice encompasses real estate and business law. In her over 25 years representing clients, she has become an authority in her chosen specialties of real estate acquisitions and sales, financing of properties, leasing of retail and office space, all aspects of the hospitality industry as well as working with small business owners. As a result of her commitment to cultivating an understanding of her clients’ day-to-day legal and business needs and focusing on producing client driven results, Lydia has not only earned their loyalty and respect, but also a unique reputation for building and maintaining long-term client relationships.

Lydia is very active in the community. She contributes a tremendous amount of time to various organizations. She is one of ten advisors on the Real Estate and Timber Advisory Committee of the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board, which sets investment policy within the real estate portfolio for the state’s pension fund.  She is also a member of 2Life Communities, which develops, builds, and provides housing for low and moderate-income seniors. One of her long-time clients established a nonprofit for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lydia serves on various committees for that nonprofit and assists, pro bono, with the organization’s operations and is actively involved in its ongoing and annual fundraising events.

Representative Matters & Significant Transactions

• $100 million dollar multiple hotel sale and associated 1031 acquisitions of several properties
• Representation of mid-sized Massachusetts University in connection with significant real estate acquisition and development of multi parcel assemblage
• Representation of international clients as principal United States counsel in a variety of business and real estate related matters
• $90 million dollar portfolio loan financing of 1200 plus apartment units in the Greater Boston Area
• Served as Massachusetts counsel to out-of-state lender in connection with construction and permanent financing of significant hotel and residential Boston waterfront project
• Representation of companies and individuals in varying facets of business and real estate matters in relation to the purchase, development, management, financing and sale of commercial properties and businesses, including hotels, office buildings, multi-unit residential buildings and retail properties
• Structured and closed multimillion-dollar financings collateralized by fine art collections and significant security portfolio

Memberships & Activities

Legal Memberships

• Boston Bar Association
• Massachusetts Bar Association

Professional & Civic Activities

• Committee Member, 2Life Communities
• Founding Member of the NE500/501 Giving Circle
• Board Member, Real Estate and Timber Advisory Committee of the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board
• The Boston Club
• Barry L. Price Rehabilitation Center – Angel
• Women’s Executive Group, Boston, Massachusetts
• USA 500 Club

Firm Activities

• Bernkopf Goodman LLP Executive Committee, Member
• Bernkopf Goodman LLP Compensation Committee, Member

Honors & Recognition

• Recognized by Connect Media one of the Top 10 Women in Boston Commercial Real Estate, 2019
• Honored as one of the 2018 Women of F.I.R.E., Banker & Tradesman
• Named to the list of Top 50 Women Attorneys in New England, Super Lawyers 2017 and 2018
• Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2017-2021
• Named to the list of Top 50 Women Attorneys in Massachusetts, Super Lawyers 2016 – 2020
• Selected for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers 2010-2020
• 2015 Top Women of Law, Mass Lawyers Weekly
• AV Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rating
• Selected for Inclusion in ALM Women Leaders in the Law 2015

Lectures & Seminars

• Provided Tenant Workshop for CWE (Center for Women & Enterprise)

News, Events & Publications