Ira H. Zaleznik

Firm: Lawson & Weitzen
Location: Boston - MA

  • 88 Black Falcon Avenue Suite 345
    Boston, Massachusetts 02210
    USA
  • Tel : (617) 439-4990
  • Fax : (617) 439-3987
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Described by his clients as sharp, creative, and zealous, Ira Zaleznik is a civil litigator and appellate advocate with over forty years of experience. A litigation specialist for his entire career, Ira has successfully brought and defended cases and appeals in all courts and administrative agencies, from local district courts all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The breadth of his experience is shown by his diverse clientele. Ira has represented individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations, and municipalities in a variety of settings. His areas of focus include general litigation, municipal law, administrative law, civil rights, discrimination, and zoning and planning. With over sixty reported cases in the federal and state courts, few lawyers can boast more experience and knowledge than Ira.

A lifelong resident of the Boston area, Ira is a Boston sports fan and an avid golfer.

Education

  • Cornell Law School, JD, 1977
  • Harvard University, BA, magna cum laude, 1974

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts (state and federal)
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • Supreme Court of the United States

Awards & Recognitions

  • Premier Appellate Lawyers Featured Attorney Representing  Boston 2023
  • AV Preeminent attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Super Lawyer 2013-2022

Representative Cases

  • City of Revere v. Massachusetts General Hosp., 103 S. Ct. 2979 (U.S. 1983)
  • Marshfield Family Skateland, Inc. v. Town of Marshfield, 450 N.E.2d 605 (Mass. 1983)
  • Bordanaro v. McLeod, 871 F.2d 1151 (C.A.1 (Mass.) 1989)
  • Fox v. Planning Bd. of Milton, 511 N.E.2d 30 (Mass.App.Ct. 1987)
  • Herwins v. City of Revere, 163 F.3d 15 (1st Cir. 1998)
  • Revere Retirement Board v. Contributory Retirement Appeal Board, 36 Mass.App.Ct. 99 (Mass.App.Ct. 1991)
  • Mayor of Revere v. Civil Service Commission, 31 Mass.App.Ct. 315 (Mass.App.Ct. 1991)
  • Cinelli v. Revere, 820 F.2d 474 (1st Cir 1987)
  • Gennari v. City of Revere, 23 Mass.App.Ct. 979 (Mass.App.Ct. 1987)
  • Gans Tire Sale v. City of Chelsea, 16 Mass.App.Ct. 947 (Mass.App.Ct. 1983)
  • Shell Oil Co. v. City of Revere, 383 Mass 682 (1981)
  • Park Drive Towing v. City of Revere, 60 Mass. App. Ct 173 (2003), s.c. 442 Mass. 80 (2004)
  • Bellin v. Kelley, 48 Mass. App. Ct. 573 (2000), s.c. 435 Mass 261 (2001)
  • T&D Video v. City of Revere, 62 Mass. App. Ct. 461 (2006), s.c. 450 Mass. 107 (2007)
  • Denver Street LLC v. Town of Saugus, 462 Mass. 651 (2012)
  • Town of Barnstable v. O’Connor, 786 F.3d 130 (1st Cir. 2015)
  • King v. Town Clerk of Townsend, 480 Mass. 7 (2018)

Publications

“Select Civil Rights Issues Pertaining to Licensing and Permitting.” 12th Annual Municipal Law Conference, MCLE, March 12, 2014. Lecture and assembly of materials for publication.

“When is a Fee an Illegal Tax?” l 5th Annual Real Estate Conference, MCLE, April 11, 2013. Lecture and assembly of materials for publication.

“Legality of Federal, State, & Local Laws & Regulations: Challenges & Defenses.” 8th Annual Municipal Law Conference, MCLE, March 18, 2010. Lecture and assembly of materials for publication.

“Federal Non-Intervention: Areas Where the Federal Constitution Will Not Preempt Local Business Regulation.” Lecture at City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association, October 14, 2000 and assembly of written materials.

“Appeals Court Procedure, Single Justice Appeals and Appeals to the Supreme Judicial Court.” Lecture at City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association, April 26, 2000 and assembly of written materials.

“Regulation of Adult Entertainment – An Overview of the Law.” Lecture at the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association, February 28, 1996 and assembly of written materials.

“SJC Allows Municipalities to Create Sewer Banks” Massachusetts Municipal Association Advocate Magazine, Volume 28, No. 1, p. 30.

“Stays of Money Judgments Pending Appeal in Federal Court: A Particular Problem for Municipal Defendants,” Vol. 3, Number 2, Governmental Liability Reporter, September 1989.

Lawson & Weitzen

Since 1973, our full-service firm has identified opportunities, surmounted challenges, and optimized results for our clients at reasonable rates. As a medium-sized law firm, Lawson & Weitzen has the ability to meet our clients’ needs with flexibility while providing top-notch legal services. We have worked hard to earn our reputation for excellence and quality legal representation.

Lawson & Weitzen has a considerable practice representing individuals and businesses in all types of civil litigation. We appear in state and federal courts in Massachusetts and throughout the country, handling prefiling and pretrial matters, trials and appeals. We also assist clients appearing before both state and federal administrative agencies. Our practice also extends to other forms of dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration.