About Me
Jesse A. Bell is a Nantucket-based attorney with a longstanding focus on real estate, land use, and local governance. She began her legal career at Reade, Gullicksen, Hanley & Gifford, where she gained hands-on experience in title work and researched various property records across all Town Departments. Additionally, she completed the remaining credits of her environmental master’s program through an internship at the Sconset Trust, assisting the organization with analyzing Conservation Commission regulations for several projects. Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2007, Jesse shortly thereafter founded Nantucket Paper Chase, LLC, an independent title examination company she operated for over 15 years.
Jesse also spent 17 years with the Nantucket Islands Land Bank, a public agency dedicated to land conservation and management. She served in multiple roles there, ultimately becoming the organization’s Executive Director for the last three years of her tenure, an experience that deepened her knowledge of local land use and regulatory frameworks.
After many years in the public sector, Jesse decided that the time was right to move to private practice. Following a valuable year practicing at a prominent local firm, Jesse was inspired to launch her own law practice—the Law Office of Jesse A. Bell—where she could focus on building meaningful, direct relationships with clients and offer a personalized, hands-on approach to legal services.
In addition to her legal practice, Jesse serves on the Real Estate Assessment Committee for the Town of Nantucket, where she helps review proposed public property transactions and provides recommendations to the Select Board on land use and disposition matters.
With a deep connection to the Nantucket community, strong working relationships with local officials and professionals, and a practical understanding of both public and private sector dynamics, Jesse is committed to serving her clients with integrity, clarity, and care.
How I Serve Clients
My connection to Nantucket began decades ago, and from the moment I arrived, I knew I wanted to call it home. The island’s rich culture, shaped by its conservation efforts and history of the whaling era, abolitionist movement, and women’s suffrage, is deeply valued by the community. As an attorney, I’ve always enjoyed helping people, and one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is building personal relationships with clients, many of whom have become friends. Effective communication and responsiveness are key to providing quality legal service. Living in a small, close-knit community, I appreciate the unique sense of solidarity and enjoy meeting familiar faces around town. Serving the Nantucket community has been an honor, and I look forward to continuing to assist with their legal needs for many years to come.
David C. Miller
CONSULTANT
David C. Miller is a senior consultant for the firm. He is a retired partner from a major NYC law firm, where he worked for 47 years, 40 as a partner. During his career, he specialized in tax and business matters related to real estate investments, partnerships, mortgage finance, and securitization. Noteworthy matters included working on the statutes that created real estate mortgage investment conduits, and planning and negotiating the tax aspects of the $38 billion sale of the Equity Office Properties portfolio to Blackstone. In retirement, David visits family on Nantucket often and enjoys playing competitive chess, duplicate bridge, and mediocre golf.
EDUCATION
- L.L.M. in Taxation, New York University
- J.D., University of Michigan
- B.A. in Mathematics, University of Michigan
Mary Ard
Mary Ard provides administrative support and bookkeeping services for the firm. Her keen attention to detail ensures smooth transactions, while her personable nature fosters long-standing client relationships.
As a project manager for several local contracting businesses, she knows her way around town permitting departments and has a depth of knowledge when it comes to dealing with property management issues. All this, along with her extensive community connections and resourcefulness, make her a valuable asset to our team.
Beyond her professional expertise, Mary is a triathlete and a member of the Nantucket Athletic Association, conquering races in the New England area. She is an avid dog lover (known by some to be a dog whisperer), affectionately known as “mother Mary” to all who use her pet sitting services. She also enjoys walking, running, and mountain biking on the trails, inspired by the island’s natural beauty, which she loves to photograph in all its seasons.