Jennifer Dopazo Gilbert joined the firm in July 2013.  Prior to her joining the firm she was in-house Town Counsel for the Town of Brookline.  Currently, Attorney Gilbert acts as Special Town Counsel to Brookline on a variety of complex matters involving land use and development, investigations and the leasing of town property.  Her twenty three years of experience in local government combined with Attorney Allen’s years of experience as Chair of the Board of Selectmen, member of the Park and Recreation Commission and Town Meeting Member provide over 50 years of combined local government and municipal expertise.

Attorney Gilbert had tremendous success in both defending the Town of Brookline in a variety of cases in both State and Federal Court as well as recovering significant settlements for the Town in breach of contract and other recovery claims.  Prior to being appointed Town Counsel, Attorney Gilbert was an Associate Town Counsel and was involved in complex litigation, negotiations and public construction matters.  She successfully defended a challenge brought by a developer to the Town’s Zoning By-Law which uses limits on floor area ratio to regulate the bulk and density of single family homes.  The case was decided by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.  81 Spooner Road LLC v. Town of Brookline, 452 Mass. 109 (2008).

Attorney Gilbert is available as Special Counsel to assist communities and public agencies in a variety of matters including:

• Defense of claims brought under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act
• Public Construction disputes and bid protests
• Tax Collection and Foreclosures
• Discreet Internal Investigations
• To serve as Hearing Officer
• Training for local officials in the requirements of the Open Meeting and Public Records Law
• Enforcement of Local By-Laws and Regulations
• Representation at Administrative Hearings
• Negotiating and drafting Agreements with Developers
• General Zoning and Land Use matters
• Drafting and Implementing Personnel Policies and Procedures
• Town Meeting representation and drafting Warrant Articles and Home Rule Petitions
• General Litigation