Francesco A. De Vito

        Partner
        Contact Info

        Frank is a trusted advisor to clients, providing practical advice to lenders, borrowers, developers, landlords, and tenants in a broad range of commercial transactions.

        As Co-Chair of the firm’s Real Estate Group, he maintains a sophisticated and diverse practice.  Frank has negotiated and closed all types of financing transactions in his 30 years of practice, including construction and permanent loans, senior and mezzanine financings, note financings, multistate portfolio loans, syndicated loans, lines of credit, intercreditor arrangements and participation agreements, loan restructurings, workouts, and foreclosures. He also has extensive experience in leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, sale-leaseback transactions, commercial condominiums, and zoning and permitting matters.

        Prior to the combination with Verrill, Frank was the Managing Director of Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster, P.C.

        Services/Industries

        Education

        • Boston College Law School (J.D.)
          • Supervising Editor, Uniform Commercial Code Reporter-Digest
        • Tufts University (B.A., cum laude)

        Bar Admissions

        • Massachusetts

        Memberships

        • Fellow, American College of Mortgage Attorneys (2019–present)
        • Real Estate Finance Association (REFA)
          • Board of Directors (2013–2016)
          • Mentor in REFA Mentor Program (2017–present)
          • Member (1999–present)
        • Boston Bar Association
          • Executive Committee Member (2020–2022)
          • Council (2019–2022)
          • Co-Chair of Real Estate Section (2016–2018)
          • Co-Chair of Real Estate Finance Committee of Real Estate Section (2006–2008)
          • Member (1996–present)
        • Boston Bar Foundation
          • Society of Fellows Recruitment Committee (2025-2026)
          • Society of Fellows (2022-present)
        • Member, The Abstract Club (2020–present)
        • Member, National Italian American Bar Association (2024–present)
        • Member, Justinian Law Society of Massachusetts (2024–present)
        • Board of Directors, Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo (2016–2021)
        • Member, NAIOP (1999–present)
        • Government Affairs Committee, Greater Boston Real Estate Board (2009–2013)
        • Master Plan Steering Committee, Town of Canton (2003–2004)
        • Zoning Board of Appeals, City of Newton (2000–2002)

        Honors

        • Named a 2021 “Go To Commercial Real Estate Lawyer” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
        • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® under Real Estate Law in Boston, Massachusetts (2015-2022, 2024-2027)
        • Selected by peers for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers for Real Estate (2012-2022, 2024-2025)
        • Recognized as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer Rising Star (2006-2008; 2010; 2011)
        • Received AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell

        Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.

        Firm Highlights

        Alerts and Newsletters

        Verrill Secures SJC Victory for Boston Legacy FC in White Stadium Litigation

        Verrill has secured a significant appellate victory for Boston Legacy FC in the litigation challenging the redevelopment of White Stadium in...
        Blog

        Hurry Up and Wait

        This is the third in a series of Verrill blog posts on Maine’s packaging extended producer responsibility (“EPR”) law[1]. In July we reported...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Discusses First Brands Chapter 11 Case in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article examining the rejection of First Brands Group's Chapter 11 plan and the...
        Media Mentions

        Cybersecurity and AI Governance: Scott Anderson Featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        Verrill Managing Partner Scott Anderson was recently featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly discussing how law firms can build attorney buy-in for...
        Blog

        Section 530A Account Update: ERISA Status of Trump Accounts

        The Department of Labor has issued important guidance addressing whether employer programs that permit contributions to Section 530A accounts (and...
        Press Releases

        97 Verrill Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2027, Including Four Named Lawyers of the Year

        AUGUSTA, Maine, BANGOR, Maine, BOSTON, Mass., PORTLAND, Maine, and WESTPORT, Conn., (August 20, 2026) – Verrill is proud to announce that 97...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        SEC’s Proposed “Reg Crypto”: What Founders Need to Know

        Startup founders and emerging-growth companies have a number of options for raising capital under the federal securities laws, including Regulation D...
        Blog

        After 45 Years, the IRS Speaks on DCAP Nondiscrimination Testing – And It’s Good News

        Employers that provide a Dependent Care Assistance Program will be pleased to learn that for the first time in 45 years, the IRS has issued guidance...
        Media Mentions

        U.S. Courts Highlights Annabel Rodriguez’s Journey from Fellow to Mentor

        Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez was featured in a recent U.S. Courts article titled “From Fellows to Mentors: Alumni Share Lasting Lessons from...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Discusses Bankruptcy Auction Strategy in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach spoke with Law360 article examining the complex bankruptcy auction process that resulted in the sale of 23 summer...
        Media Mentions

        Martha Gaythwaite Featured in Portland Press Herald Coverage of Sig Sauer Trial Victory

        Verrill attorney Martha Gaythwaite was highlighted in media coverage of a federal trial in Bangor involving firearm manufacturer Sig Sauer. As...
        Media Mentions

        Law360 Quotes Robert Keach on Senate Bill Affecting Small Business Restructurings

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article discussing federal legislation that would permanently restore the $7.5 million...