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, 2024-2026)
        • 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

        Will the Knicks Beat the Spurs? (Are Prediction Market Event Contracts Gambling?)

        For those of you who like to keep score, currently 18 states are engaged in litigation over prediction markets, such as Kalshi and Polymarket,...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        DOJ Announces Faster Review and Enhanced Enforcement for Benefits-Fraud FCA Matters

        On May 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Division issued a new memorandum, “Accelerating Review and Enhancing Enforcement in...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        DOJ Announces Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown; Signals Intensified Medicaid Enforcement Nationwide

        On May 21, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced a first-of-its kind Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown charging 15 defendants, including...
        Media Mentions

        Lauren Galvin Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on Arbitration and Anti-SLAPP Protections

        Verrill Partner Lauren Galvin was recently featured in a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article highlighting a notable Superior Court decision...
        Blog

        Section 530A Accounts: What Employers Should Consider Before Offering Contributions to “Trump” Accounts

        Section 530A accounts, commonly referred to as Trump accounts, have attracted attention since the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in...
        Blog

        Navigating PBM Reform: Regulatory Changes, Market Shifts, and Practical Guidance for ERISA Fiduciaries

        Pharmacy Benefit Manager (“PBM”) arrangements have long relied on rebates with limited transparency into true drug costs. Recent regulatory and...
        Blog

        DOL’s Proposed Regulation on Selecting Alternative Investments: Broad Implications for 401(k) and 403(b) Plan Fiduciaries

        On March 30, 2026, the Department of Labor issued a proposed regulation purporting to implement an executive order to expand access to “alternative...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Attorney Gracie Castle

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to welcome Gracie Castle to the firm’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group as an Associate,...
        Published Works

        Francesco De Vito Authors Article in the Journal of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys

        Verrill Partner Frank De Vito authored an article featured in the Spring 2026 issue of The Abstract, the journal of the American College of Mortgage...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Recent FinCEN Advisory Highlights Rising Health Care Fraud Risk for Financial Institutions

        As the federal government intensifies its “whole of government” approach to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, particularly in Federal Health Care...
        Press Releases

        Two Verrill Attorneys Featured in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers List

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill attorneys Roger A. Clement, Jr. and Robert J. Keach have been featured in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global...
        Published Works

        Verrill Attorney Mark Googins Co-Authors Maine Commercial Lending Handbook

        Verrill attorney Mark Googins has co-authored the Maine Commercial Lending Handbook (Second Edition), published March 2026.  A trusted, practical...