BOSTON- With over 35 years of experience, Ligris’s Jo-Ann Marzullo, Esq. is a highly skilled attorney specializing in real estate with a passion for doing what’s right for her clients and community. She drives legal innovation and advocacy with the American Bar Association, leading efforts on remote notarization, rent relief, social justice in real estate law, and drone privacy protections.
Marzullo recently represented Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section of the American Bar Association as its Chair-Elect in its opposition to a proposed uniform law on the operation of drones over private property with the Uniform Laws Commission.
As a result of her work, along with the opposition of other real property groups, the proposed uniform act was withdrawn from consideration. Marzullo also led the effort by the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section to propose and persuade the American Bar Association to adopt a resolution that common law trespass and privacy rights should be protected with any legislation or regulation of drones operating over private property.
In her Q&A with BRET, Marzullo talked about what drives her work: “All of my grandparents emigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s, and I remember the struggles they endured to give their children and grandchildren a better life. Their struggles and triumphs have shaped how I view what we owe to society and what society owes to those who are struggling. One deal at a time, one issue at a time, I am striving to improve real estate law.”
On March 12, 2025, Jo-Ann Marzullo will be honored with the Outstanding Women of 2025 award at the annual Women of the Year awards gala at Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA.
To buy a ticket, please click here.
Before joining the team at Ligris, Marzullo worked at large law firms in Boston, where she represented clients in sophisticated real estate matters, including complex sales and acquisitions, financing transactions, leasing, construction, and due diligence reviews. She focuses on critical financial and timing issues and utilizes long-term professional relationships.
Marzullo received her JD magna cum laude from Boston University School of Law and her BA with highest honors from Northeastern University. Marzullo is a former chair of the Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Section of the American Bar Association and co-chair of the Sustainability Group of CREW Boston. She spends most of her free time with her husband and their two sons,enjoys visiting friends and spending time at her lakeside cottages.
Read our full Q&A with Jo-Ann Marzullo below.
Boston Real Estate Times: What do you enjoy most about your work?
Jo-Ann Marzullo: I enjoy providing sophisticated analysis, crafting a middle ground that can bring consensus to allow deals to be concluded, and providing advice to my clients for a wide variety of commercial real estate matters.
BRET: What is the one thing you attribute your success to?
JM: With over 40 years of experience, I am able to call upon my prior experiences to determine the best strategy and solution for each client’s issues. I’ve learned while working in commercial real estate that no two problems are the same, by leveraging my past experience I count on finding a range of possible solutions.
BRET: To which charitable, community and professional groups do you belong and why?
JM: I am proud to belong to the following community and professional organizations:
- Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section (RPTE) of the American Bar Association Member:
- Currently serving on a task force of RPTE to reform and improve residential appraisals which has caused RPTE to be submit comments to CFPB in support of using the Tidewater Initiative to process reconsideration of appraisal valuations and Jo-Ann again to serve as one of the prime drafters for a proposed resolution for the ABA 2025 Annual Meeting seeking to eliminate bias and disparate appraisals.
- Currently serving as a RPTE member of the Joint Editorial Board for Uniform Real Property Acts of the Uniform Law Commission (“ULC”) which is currently seeking to have the ULC appoint a study committee to combat abuses of contracts for deeds.
- As Chair of the Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate (RPTE) Law of the ABA in 2019-2020, I led an RPTE initiative to advocate for remote ink notarization and remote witnessing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working with the ABA Governmental Affairs Office, I collaborated with other RPTE leaders to draft a letter to state governors. The letter advocated for the issuance of executive orders and other types of legislation to allow for remote ink notarization and witnessing by other—simpler—means. The proposed rules were adopted, which allowed attorneys to serve clients that are or have family members susceptible to great risk to safely execute legal documents.
● In 2022, I served as one of the prime drafters for an American Bar Association (ABA) resolution, which was passed during the 2022 Mid-Year Meeting. This work authorized the ABA to urge all federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal legislative, and other governmental bodies to implement the ABA Ten Guidelines for Residential Eviction Laws.
BRET: In what way do you feel you have most positively influenced or served the local community, your company/organization or professional field?
JM: My client’s interests come first, if I accept an engagement, I am their advocate and treat their money as my money, but let the businesspeople make the business decisions once I am convinced they understand the issues involved. But, in my non-client activities I have had the luxury to advocate for what is fair. All of my grandparents emigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s, and I remember the struggles they endured to give their children and grandchildren a better life. Their struggles and triumphs have shaped how I view what we owe to society and what society owes to those who are struggling. One deal at a time, one issue at a time, I am striving to improve real estate law.
BRET: What are your hobbies and interests?
JM: When I take my “attorney hat” off, I cherish time with my family and friends on the lake. I also enjoy cruising to scenic views in a convertible on summer and autumn days. In the winter, I find joy in cheering on the Northeastern and Boston Fleet women’s hockey teams.
BRET: Your favorite books?
JM: I’m a history buff, so I particularly enjoy historical books. I enjoy trying to understand how what came before has influenced where we are today. Two examples are The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein and Influenza by Jeremy Brown, M.D. The first book deals with how redlining mandated decades ago still impacts neighborhoods, and the later book on how society dealt with the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918.
BRET: Your favorite quotes?
JM: “Fight for things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“I think it’s funny when you add a little bit of money to a sport and give girls attention about what they can do with it. I think everyone should take a page out of our book and really put some time and effort into everything about women’s everything.” – Lily Yovetich after scoring a game winning goal at 2025 Women’s Beanpot.
BRET: The one person you would like to meet and why?
JM: Segueing from the previous question, I would have loved to meet Ruth Bader Ginsburg. An attorney I mentored was lucky enough to spend time with her to discuss law, but also to attend opera with her. Her work had a huge influence on the modern legal landscape, and I deeply admire how she faced adversity with intellect and grace. She was a true trailblazer whose path I try to follow.
BRET: The core values you try to live by?
JM: Be an advocate, give credit where and when it is due, aim to inspire others, and help others when you can.
BRET: What inspires you?
JM: In addition to my husband, two sons, their significant others, and close friends, I am inspired by the determination and courage of women who break barriers, or who pave the way to opportunities for others. I am especially inspired by the innovative, committed, and forward-thinking women in the traditionally male-dominated areas – including commercial real estate industry and hockey. I am inspired that young women are speaking their truth sooner than us elders.
