Lenox Lawyer Acknowledged in the Massachusetts Super Lawyers List

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LENOX, Mass. Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds announce that Giovanna Fessenden-Fairbank has been recognized as one of the Best Layers in America for her expertise in Patent Law and named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list. 
 
This marks the sixth year that Giovanna has earned both recognitions.
 
Based in Lenox, Giovanna plays a role in maintaining Intellectual Property law firm, Hamilton Brook Smith Reynold's presence in western Massachusetts, personally serving clients in the region. In addition to her role at the firm, she serves as a Board Member at the Berkshire Innovation Center, is an Executive Producer of TEDx Berkshires, and is Co-chair of Internet and Technology Subcommittee for the Boston Bar Association.
 
Giovanna has 20+ years of work experience in counseling clients on intellectual property (IP), engineering, startups, innovation, branding and strategy with a successful track-record in driving business IP asset growth and building global innovation focused patent, trademark and copyright portfolios.
 
Giovanna is a computer scientist, intellectual property attorney, and AI/blockchain specialist. Giovanna is passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship in Berkshire County.
 
"The Berkshires is an arts and technology innovation hub. I am fortunate to live the Berkshires and have a career that I am passionate about, which enables me to foster cutting-edge innovations," Fessenden-Fairbank said. "I am excited about the growth of technology focused businesses and innovation happening now in the Berkshires. As an IP attorney and a Board Member at the Berkshire Innovation Center, I have a unique opportunity to help steward innovation and entrepreneurship in our region and help ensure that the Berkshire tech industry thrives for future
generations."
 
She advises high-tech companies and startups on software patents, product development, licensing, open-source software compliance, trademark branding, post-grant patent challenges, litigation, and IP strategy.
 
Best Lawyers recognition is based on peer-reviewed listings and is the legal industry's oldest and most respected publication. The publication, compiled from more than 6.7 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers, is distributed worldwide in almost 75 countries. 
 
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas with a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Each year, only 5 percent of
attorneys in the state are selected to the Super Lawyers list.
 
Super Lawyers recognizes the top attorneys nationwide, across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes, using a patented process of independent research and peer input. The lawyers selected
include those with many years of experience, as well as the Rising Stars of the profession.
 
Super Lawyers is a resource designed to aid those needing an attorney and has grown over three decades with an unparalleled reach in print magazines and online.
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Pennrose Breaks Ground in Lenox, Bringing 68 Units of Affordable Housing

Staff Reports

LENOX, Mass. — Pennrose announced the groundbreaking of 238 Pittsfield Road, a 68-unit affordable rental community.

The development will bring much-needed affordable, family-friendly housing options to the area.

The community will consist of 10 residential buildings offering a mix of 23 one-bedroom, 38 two-bedroom, and seven three-bedroom apartments. Of the 68 total homes, 57 will be affordable for households earning from 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) up to 80 percent AMI, with the remaining 11 units available at market rate rents.

A community building at the entrance of the development will offer resident-focused amenities, including event space and a fitness center, along with on-site offices for Pennrose management and resident services staff.

"238 Pittsfield Road builds on the progress that the Town of Lenox has made in addressing the region's pressing needs for affordable, family-sized rental housing," said Karmen Cheung, Regional Vice President at Pennrose. "This partnership with the Town of Lenox continues to deliver communities that give families of all sizes a place to call home. Together with Forge, these two communities reflect our long-term commitment to meeting the diverse housing needs of Berkshire families."

Currently only 7 percent of Lenox's housing stock is deed-restricted affordable, falling short of the 10 percent goal established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Additionally, approximately 90 percent of the town's existing affordable housing is limited to seniors, and market-rate rental options remain sparse.

238 Pittsfield Road is located a mile down the road from Forge,  a mixed-income community that celebrated its grand opening in August. Together, the two sister developments will add a total of 133 new affordable units to the town.

The project continues Pennrose's collaboration with the Town of Lenox and is guided by the goals of the Town's 2017 Housing Production Plan, 2021 Master Plan, and 2002 Gateway Redevelopment Plan.

The project is financed via federal 4 percent tax credit and state tax credit allocations from the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), with the National Equity Fund as the syndicator and Rockland Trust and US Bank as the investors. Rockland also provided construction debt, and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) provided both permanent debt and Workforce Housing Funds. MassDevelopment is the bond issuer, and EOHLC provided additional soft sources and operating subsidy. Finally, the Town of Lenox provided local Affordable Housing Trust and Community Preservation Act funds, as well as funds through the Commonwealth's HousingWorks Infrastructure Program (HWIP).

Haynes Construction is serving as general contractor and The Architectural Team as architect for the development.

Construction is underway and is expected to be completed in early 2028.

 

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