Gary S. Fentin

For businesses, developers, and individuals across Massachusetts, navigating the intricate worlds of commercial finance, real estate development, and tax-exempt bonds requires a legal professional with deep experience and a proven track record. Gary S. Fentin, a prominent shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., stands as such an attorney. While the firm has a primary office in Springfield, the listing for Gary S. Fentin at 39 Main Street in Northampton, MA, indicates a significant local presence and convenient access for clients throughout Western Massachusetts. With a career spanning decades, Attorney Fentin has become a respected authority in his fields, known for his comprehensive understanding of complex transactions and regulatory landscapes.

His practice is highly specialized, concentrating on areas that are critical to economic development and growth within the Commonwealth. This includes expertly handling commercial and real estate finance, the management of the firm's tax-exempt bond practice—where he has served as bond counsel and/or purchaser's counsel in hundreds of issues since 1978—and a dedicated focus on affordable housing development and finance. Attorney Fentin’s long-standing success is not just measured by the volume of his cases but also by the consistent recognition he receives from peers and legal organizations, cementing his status as a top-rated lawyer in Massachusetts. For local users, this means access to a legal professional who not only understands the intricacies of the law but also the specific economic and community contexts of Massachusetts.

Gary S. Fentin is listed at the address 39 Main St, Northampton, MA 01060, USA. This location is a key point of contact for his practice, which operates as part of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a firm with a significant presence across Massachusetts. Northampton is a vibrant and central city in the Pioneer Valley, making this Main Street address easily accessible for clients from various parts of Western Massachusetts. For those traveling by car, Main Street is a well-known artery in the city, providing straightforward directions to the office. As with any downtown area, it's advisable for local users to consider parking availability and potentially allow extra time or inquire about convenient parking options when planning their visit.

The accessibility of this Northampton location extends beyond private vehicles. Northampton is well-served by local public transportation networks, placing the office within reach for individuals who rely on buses or prefer to avoid driving. This makes it a practical option for clients from neighboring communities such as Amherst, Hadley, Easthampton, and other towns throughout Hampshire and Franklin Counties, as well as those willing to travel from further afield in the Commonwealth. The presence of a highly experienced attorney like Gary S. Fentin in a prominent Western Massachusetts city like Northampton reinforces the firm's commitment to providing localized and convenient legal services to the region's businesses and residents.

Gary S. Fentin's practice is primarily focused on sophisticated areas of commercial and real estate law, serving a diverse range of clients. His key service areas include:

• Commercial and Real Estate Finance: Representing institutional lenders, borrowers, purchasers, and developers in various financing transactions, including construction and permanent financing.
• Tax-Exempt Bonds: Managing the firm's tax-exempt bond practice, acting as bond counsel and/or purchaser's counsel in a multitude of issues for governmental agencies, banks, and other lenders. He is noted as the only approved bond counsel to the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency with offices west of Worcester.
• Affordable Housing Development and Finance: Providing legal counsel for the development, financing, refinancing, and syndication of affordable housing projects, often involving state and federal funding programs.
• Business Law: Offering general business counseling, including business organizations, transactions, and related legal needs for profit and not-for-profit companies.
• Business Foreclosures and Workouts: Representing secured lenders in navigating complex commercial foreclosures and workout agreements.
• Estate Planning: While his primary focus is commercial, the broader firm also engages in estate planning, and his background includes an LL.M. in Taxation, which can be beneficial in business and estate contexts.
• Real Estate Development: Advising on various aspects of real estate development, encompassing acquisitions, sales, and complex project requirements.

Gary S. Fentin’s professional profile is distinguished by a remarkable array of features and highlights, cementing his reputation as a leading attorney in Massachusetts:

• Highly Awarded and Recognized: Consistently selected to the prestigious Super Lawyers list (2004, 2006-2009, 2011-2025) and The Best Lawyers in America© list (since 2013). He was also recognized as Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year in Banking and Financial Law and Commercial Transactions/Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Law in 2024, highlighting his exceptional standing among peers.
• Extensive Experience in Tax-Exempt Bonds: He manages Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C.’s highly regarded tax-exempt bond practice, having served as counsel in hundreds of issues since 1978. Notably, he is the only attorney approved as bond counsel to the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency with offices west of Worcester, making him a unique resource for regional projects.
• Deep Expertise in Commercial Finance and Real Estate: With over thirty-five years of experience, he possesses a profound understanding of complex commercial and real estate finance and development matters, representing a wide range of clients from lenders to developers.
• Involvement in Affordable Housing: Actively engaged in the development, financing, refinancing, and syndication of affordable housing, demonstrating a commitment to addressing critical community needs in Massachusetts.
• Strong Academic Background: Holds a J.D. from Boston College Law School (Order of the Coif, Editor of Boston College Law Review) and an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University, along with having completed an Intensive Mediation Workshop at Harvard Law School, showcasing a comprehensive legal education.
• Community-Minded: His past community activities include serving on the Conway, MA Housing Committee and Finance Committee, and as former President of Friends of WFCR, Inc., illustrating his dedication to local community welfare.

As a highly experienced and specialized attorney focusing on complex commercial finance and real estate matters, Gary S. Fentin's professional engagements typically do not involve consumer-style "promotions" or "special offers." However, for businesses and individuals in Massachusetts seeking his expert counsel, the standard practice for legal professionals of his caliber is to offer an initial consultation. This meeting serves as a crucial opportunity for prospective clients to discuss the specifics of their commercial finance, real estate, or bond-related legal needs. During this consultation, Attorney Fentin and his team can provide an initial assessment of the situation, outline potential legal strategies, and clarify the fee structure for the engagement. While specific fee arrangements will depend on the complexity and scope of the legal work involved, transparency in billing is a professional standard. For the most accurate and current information regarding his availability, consultation process, and any applicable fee structures, Massachusetts locals are strongly encouraged to contact his office directly using the phone numbers provided. This direct approach ensures that you receive tailored information relevant to your unique legal requirements.

To inquire about legal services in commercial finance, real estate, tax-exempt bonds, or related business matters, Massachusetts residents can contact Gary S. Fentin at the following details:

Address: 39 Main St, Northampton, MA 01060, USA

Phone: (413) 517-0145

Mobile Phone: +1 413-517-0145

It's important to note that while this Northampton address serves as a convenient local point of contact, Gary S. Fentin is a shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a firm with a main office in Springfield, MA. When reaching out, be prepared to briefly describe your legal needs, which will help his team efficiently direct your inquiry and facilitate a productive initial discussion. Connecting directly by phone is the most effective way to learn how his extensive experience and specialized knowledge can benefit your business or real estate endeavors within Massachusetts.

For businesses, developers, and municipalities throughout Massachusetts, particularly in the Western and Central regions, Gary S. Fentin offers unparalleled expertise in critical legal areas that directly impact local growth and development. His established presence at 39 Main Street in Northampton provides a conveniently accessible hub for specialized legal services, allowing local users to consult with a highly respected attorney without the need to travel to larger metropolitan centers. This local accessibility is invaluable for managing complex, long-term projects like real estate developments or bond financing.

What makes Gary S. Fentin exceptionally suitable for Massachusetts locals is his specific and deep expertise in areas such as tax-exempt bonds, where he holds a unique position as the only approved bond counsel to the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency with offices west of Worcester. This niche specialization means that local governmental bodies and private entities engaging in public-private partnerships or seeking specific financing mechanisms can find expert, localized guidance. His extensive experience in affordable housing development also directly benefits Massachusetts communities striving to address housing needs, showcasing a lawyer who is not just adept at legal theory but also deeply involved in practical solutions that enhance local quality of life.

Furthermore, his consistent recognition as a "Super Lawyer" and "Best Lawyer" by esteemed legal publications underscores his professional excellence and ethical standing within the Massachusetts legal community. This peer recognition provides an added layer of assurance for local clients seeking reliable and effective legal representation. By choosing Gary S. Fentin, Massachusetts locals gain a legal partner who is not only a leading expert in his field but also intimately familiar with the economic landscape and regulatory environment of the Commonwealth, dedicated to fostering successful outcomes for his clients and the broader community.