Jed Nosal: A Point of View Like No Other

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Today, Jed Nosal is saved in “Contacts” for pretty much everyone with complex regulatory issues both inside and out of government in Massachusetts. But in 1996, Jed was not yet a trusted advisor and insider in Boston’s closely knit government circles.

Back then, he was just “The Bowtie Guy.”

Jed was right out of New England Law School and had started his career in the Boston Police Department’s legal office. With an easy laugh, he explains, “The police commissioner at the time could never remember my name! He would refer to me as ‘The short guy with the bowtie.’ It just sort of stuck. If that’s what it took to get the chance to prove myself as a lawyer, that’s fine with me.” 

Jed and his signature bowtie got that chance at several other municipal and state agencies in Boston, including the Massachusetts State Police, the state’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations, and the office of then-Gov. Jane Swift. He became General Counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy and finished his career in government service as Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Business and Labor Bureau, representing the Commonwealth in regulatory oversight and enforcement actions.

He worked on a wide range of legal issues during this span. At the state level, Jed dealt with issues that potentially impacted millions of people across the state. And at the local level, he handled matters that weren’t as sweeping in scope, but far more personal.

“One of my first roles at the Boston Police Department dealt with taxi regulations,” Jed said. “The work we did and the decisions we made had an immediate impact driver’s lives, passenger safety and overall access to mobility in the City of Boston.”

Along the way, Jed said he gained a tremendous amount of respect for the people who practice law for government agencies. 

“Not only were the people who serve the public interest incredibly dedicated to what they were doing, but they also were incredible lawyers,” he said. The level of professionalism, the devotion to solving big, complex problems in the public interest, the humility, and the commitment to doing things the right, ethical way were lessons that stuck with Jed.

“I was fortunate to have some incredible mentors and bosses in government, it really formulated how I approach the entire legal profession,” he said. 

It’s the same philosophy he brings to private practice, where he advises clients dealing with complex regulatory processes, government investigations, and enforcement litigation in Massachusetts. “Having respect for those who now serve in government and insight into government decision making, allows me to formulate strategies to align my client’s interest with the public interest and ensure that the Government is a positive for opportunity and growth.  

Quite a journey for a lawyer who once was just “The Bowtie Guy.” 

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