Benjamin Fierro III

Bio

Benjamin Fierro III has more than 40 years’ experience in the field of legislative,
regulatory and public policy law. He was named one of the “25 Most Influential Lawyers
of the Past 25 Years” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in 1997 with the accolade
“. . . [he] has quietly exerted more leverage on legislation than perhaps any lawyer
in the commonwealth.”

In his book, “This Land, The Battle over Sprawl and the Future of America,”
author Anthony Flint, in writing about the debate at the State House over amending
the Zoning Act, cited the opposition of the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts
for the bill going nowhere. He credited, in part, the work of Mr. Fierro, writing:

The tactics of the homebuilders’ attorney, Ben Fierro III, well versed in the ways
of the Massachusetts statehouse, were typical of the opposition. One of the reforms
in the bill would have cut back on the kinds of nonprofit organizations that are
completely exempt from zoning restrictions ... The disability community also enjoys
the exemption, and Fierro helped handicapped people testify that any change in the
rules would ruin their lives.

“This Land, The Battle over Sprawl and the Future of America”
2006 John Hopkins University Press, p. 164

Representing social service providers of all kinds, Mr. Fierro has helped dozens of
such organizations obtain zoning relief under state and federal anti-discrimination
laws to site their programs and residences throughout Massachusetts. He is widely
recognized as having particular expertise in the Dover Amendment to the Zoning Act,
which grants special protections to non-profit educational corporations.

Mr. Fierro is the former general counsel of the Massachusetts Bar Association, where
he served as its chief legal advisor and legislative liaison. Mr. Fierro also supervised
the activities of both the Committee on Professional Ethics and Legal Fee Arbitration
Board. He was the secretary to the Joint Bar Committee on Judicial Appointments and
editor-in-chief of Lawyers Journal.

Mr. Fierro began his career as associate counsel for the Home Builders Association
of Massachusetts, where his duties included providing legal advice, lobbying and
regulatory advocacy.

Significant Legislation

During his career, Mr. Fierro has been a key player in some of the most important laws
enacted on Beacon Hill, including:

• Automobile Insurance Reform Act
• Condominium Conversion Act
• Court Reform Act
• Electricity Deregulation Act
• Human Services and Rate Reform Act
• Judicial Conduct Commission Reform Act
• Judicial Needs Act
• Lobbying Law Reform Act
• Medical Malpractice Reform Act
• Permit Extension Act
• Sales Tax on Professional Services Act
• State Board of Building Regulations and Standards Act
• Workers Compensation Reform Act

Professional Recognitions, Affiliations and Appointments>

• Selected as one of “Boston’s Top Rated Lawyers” for Government Practice,
  ALM Media LLC (2012 Edition, 2014 Edition)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated. AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating
  (highest rating for legal ability and professional ethics)
• Named one of the “25 Most Influential Lawyers of the Past 25 Years” by
  Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (1997)
• Recipient, New England Society of Association Executives’ Outstanding
  Achievement in Government Affairs Award (1993)
• Co-Editor, MCLE, Inc. publication
  “Massachusetts Election Administration, Campaign Finance, and Lobbying Law”
  (3rd Edition 2012; 4th Edition 2016; 5th Edition 2020)
• Founder, Massachusetts Association of Professional Lobbyists (1995)
• Founder, Citizens for Public Policy Participation (2013)
• Member, Advisory Board, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
  (1991–1995)
• Member, Advisory Board, Banker & Tradesman (1999–2009)
• Member, Editorial Board, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (1998–2001)
• Member, Zoning Reform Task Force, Executive Office of Housing and Community
  Development (2007–2011)
• Member, Master Plan Commission, Town of Ipswich (1985–1991)
• Member, Zoning Subcommittee to the Planning Board, Town of Ipswich
  (1982–1985)
• Member, Zoning Board of Appeals, Town of Ipswich, Massachusetts (2004–)
• Lecturer, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
• Lecturer, Suffolk University Law School