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

        Blog

        Working 9 to 5? It’s a Way to Make a Livin’, so Make Sure You’re Payin’ for Every Minute: A Maine Employer’s Guide to Stacked Wage & Hour Rules

        Four decades after Dolly Parton gave us both the namesake anthem of the American workday and the film about three fed-up office workers’ dreams of...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Can AI Pass the Doctor Test? FDA Considers Physician-Inspired Evaluation of GenAI Devices and Other Regulatory Measures

        AI is entering healthcare with indomitable will. It promises to increase efficiency, reduce administrative burden (which healthcare providers so...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Attorney Annabel Rodriguez Named Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez has been recognized as a Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and will be...
        Blog

        What Employee Benefits Lawyers Do (and How to Make the Best Use of Us)

        What do employee benefits lawyers do all day and how can clients make the best use of them? This post offers an overview of the kinds of things...
        Media Mentions

        Bloomberg Law Quotes Robert Keach on Expanded Access to Small Business Reorganization

        Verrill attorney Bob Keach was recently featured in Bloomberg Law, discussing legislation that would raise debt limits for bankruptcy relief and...
        Blog

        Phil Bartlett to Step Down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission

        On September 15, 2026, Governor Janet Mills announced that Phil Bartlett will step down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC)...
        Published Works

        Jay McCormack and Michael Fee Co-Author AHLA Article on Skin Substitute Enforcement Trends

        Verrill Partners Jay McCormack and Michael Fee co-authored an article for the American Health Law Association's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Health Care & Life Sciences Attorney Elpida Velmahos

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Elpida Velmahos has joined the firm’s Health Care & Life Sciences Group as an...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Litigation & Trial Attorney Emma Pooler

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to announce that Emma Pooler has joined the firm’s Litigation & Trial Group as an Associate, resident in...
        Published Works

        Four Verrill Attorneys Co-Author Massachusetts Trends and Developments Chapter for Chambers and Partners Child Relocation 2026 Guide

        Verrill attorneys Mary H. Schmidt, Rachel A. Deering, Hannah R. Zukoff, and Mariah G. Tappan co-authored the “Trends and Developments” chapter...
        Blog

        A New Protected Class in Maine: Holders of Final Protection Orders

        In the lead-up to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, employers may be taking a closer look at how their policies and practices respond to...
        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...