Rohrbeck, J. Frederick

"Our clients often need immediate assistance in matters of great urgency. We are a team of professionals accustomed to time pressure, who are prepared to advocate for our clients on short notice. We pride ourselves on responding quickly, efficiently, and effectively when a client contacts us with a pressing need."

Jennifer E. Greaney is experienced in all phases of litigation – from pre-litigation negotiation through trial and appeal.  Jennifer has appeared on behalf of clients in courts throughout the Commonwealth, including Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Worcester Counties.  She regularly argues substantive motions in Superior and District Courts.  In 2010 she completed a jury trial in Middlesex County in a commercial contract case.  Jennifer has also argued before a three-member panel of the Massachusetts Appeals Court.  She is admitted to practice law in both Massachusetts and Maine.

Jennifer’s varied litigation practice has included a range of contractual and business disputes as well as the defense of a utility company in serious personal injury actions.  Although Jennifer is available to handle a variety of commercial disputes, the bulk of her practice is currently focused in the areas of real estate litigation and bank defense.

Real Estate Matters

Jennifer represents landlords and tenants in both complex and simple commercial lease disputes, including eviction proceedings brought in summary process sessions.  Jennifer has also handled a variety of title problems, such as those involving easements and adverse possession of land.  She handles planning and zoning appeals, including representation of parties in appeals from rulings of Historic District Commissions.  Jennifer has handled conveyancing disputes, most typically cases involving attempts to enforce purchase and sale agreements.  Matters representative of Jennifer’s real estate dispute practice include:

•Winning a motion to dismiss that fully disposed of an appeal from a Historic District Commission’s ruling in favor of her client, which had been brought by her client’s neighbor in an attempt to prevent a home renovation;

•Successfully opposing a motion for lis pendens on the ground that a purchase and sale agreement was not enforceable against her client, resulting in the plaintiff’s voluntary dismissal of the case at its outset;

•Serving as lead author of an Appeals Court brief in a complicated title case involving unusual restrictive covenants and a claim for adverse possession;

•Representing commercial landlords and tenants in a variety of complex and/or time sensitive commercial lease disputes;

•Bringing non-payment claims on behalf of a subcontractor for recovery against a payment bond and for enforcement of a mechanic’s lien.

•Representing a commercial landowner regarding an easement for a shared driveway in a densely-developed urban area; and

•Representing the proposed purchaser of a hotel property who sought to enforce a purchase and sale agreement.

Bank Defense

Jennifer has defended banks in numerous disputes involving checks, wire transfers, and automated clearing house transfers.  She is also experienced in representing banks in their capacity as trustee process defendants.  She has successfully argued summary judgment motions disposing of claims against banks in several matters involving allegations of fraudulent or unauthorized transactions of various types.  Jennifer also represents bank clients in connection with disputes related to real estate, such as foreclosure-related claims brought by mortgagors.  

Educational and Professional Background

Jennifer spent two years as a litigation associate with Goulston & Storrs, P.C. prior to joining Sally & Fitch in 2001.  A lifelong resident of Massachusetts who grew up in the Pioneer Valley, Jennifer is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross.  Prior to beginning law school, she worked as a daily newspaper reporter for four years, including more than three years spent covering the Blackstone Valley for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.  Jennifer earned her law degree from Boston University School of Law, magna cum laude, in 1999.  At graduation, she was awarded the Melville M. Bigelow Scholarship Award, presented to her as the student in her graduating class showing the greatest promise as a scholar and teacher in law. 

Public and Community Service

In February 2011, Governor Deval Patrick appointed Jennifer to the Judicial Nominating Commission, which recommends judicial appointments at all levels through the Commonwealth.

In her community, Jennifer is an elected Town Meeting member and a dedicated youth sports coach.

Jennifer is active in the Women’s Bar Association, having participated as a senior mentor in a mentoring circle and as a past co-chair of the WBA’s Business Development Committee.
  
Associations and Memberships
 
Jennifer is a director of the Holy Cross Lawyers Association, and a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, New England Women in Real Estate, the Real Estate Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association.