Boston, MA. Nixon Peabody LLP has further strengthened its counsel ranks with the addition of five new counsel during the first quarter of 2025.
“We are excited to have welcomed this talented group of attorneys, each of whom is committed to providing exceptional client service, and we look forward to the many contributions they will make at our firm,” said Stacie B. Collier, Nixon Peabody Chief Talent Officer. “Nixon Peabody’s counsel program is an integral part of our professional development initiatives and offers attorneys a pathway to partnership.”
The five attorneys who joined Nixon Peabody during the quarter represent various practice areas, including affordable housing and real estate, community development finance, and corporate transactions. Learn more about the new counsel and their practices below.
Business and Finance Department
Tiana Walters, Corporate, Washington, DC
Tiana helps companies expand to new markets, streamline resources, acquire new technologies, and access capital through mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and private placement transactions. She brings more than 15 years of experience working in both private practice and in-house counsel roles. Tiana has worked across a variety of industries, including healthcare, software, technology, automotive, sports, entertainment and media, and esports. She earned her JD from American University Washington College of Law and her BA from The George Washington University.
Project Finance, Infrastructure, and Real Estate Department
Alejandro Amezcua, Community Development Finance, Chicago
Alejandro represents clients in the community development financing space, with a primary focus on federal and state new markets tax credit (NMTC) programs. He helps structure complex tax-advantaged transactions that often combine NMTC funds with private financing sources and public subsidies, including governmental grants, bond financing, and private donations. Alejandro also has extensive experience in acquisitions and dispositions, commercial lending, and development. He has helped clients achieve success on a wide variety of projects, including mixed-use developments, healthcare facilities, community centers, and food banks. Alejandro earned his JD from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and his BA from DePauw University.
Schuyler Armstrong, Affordable Housing & Real Estate, Washington, DC
Schuyler represents developers and owners in all aspects of complex multifamily residential, affordable residential, and commercial real estate transactions, including joint ventures, acquisitions, construction, rehabilitation, financing, and dispositions. She is experienced in representing owners in negotiating development agreements, drafting purchase and sale agreements, securing tax credit allocations and rental subsidies, reviewing due diligence, and negotiating financial documents. Schuyler frequently represents owners in their communications with, and requests to, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), state housing financing agencies, and local governments. She earned her JD from American University Washington College of Law and her BA from Tufts University.
Chris Schlag, Environmental and ESG, Boston
Chris provides strategic and practical guidance to business and industry clients on a wide range of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, including sustainability strategy and reporting, environmental stewardship, packaging, supply chain risk management, and regulatory compliance. She helps clients navigate emerging challenges by finding policy, regulatory, and transactional solutions to manage complex business risks. Chris also helps clients overcome obstacles to business resiliency and improve stakeholder relationships by finding solutions to complex disputes. She brings a unique blend of legal and technical experience to help clients across industries such as agriculture, food and beverage, packaging, manufacturing, and retail. Chris earned her JD from University of Pittsburgh School of Law, her MS from Columbia Southern University, and her BS from Colorado State University.
Laura Smith, Affordable Housing & Real Estate, Rochester
Laura’s practice focuses on real estate, land use, environmental, and general municipal matters. As former Chief Deputy County Attorney for Monroe County (New York), she drafted local laws, advised on procurement, ensured compliance, and provided legal support for public works projects. Laura is experienced in representing municipalities, public authorities, businesses, and developers on a wide range of issues, including zoning and planning, municipal law, governance, real estate matters, permitting, hazardous waste and petroleum spill cleanup, brownfield development, and solar energy. Laura earned her JD from University of Pennsylvania Law School and her BA from College of Wooster.
