Biography

John is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer representing businesses, individuals and institutions with a focus on real estate-related civil litigation. This includes eminent domain and other real estate and business valuation issues as well as land use, permitting, environmental and other regulatory matters.

Prior to joining the firm, John was an Assistant Massachusetts Attorney General for over 20 years, where he practiced as a trial lawyer defending state agencies in a variety of civil lawsuits. For much of that time, John’s practice centered on eminent domain and related land use matters. John was appointed Senior Counsel and Supervisor responsible for overseeing and supervising the defense of all real estate cases filed against the state, including claims in Land Court and eminent domain jury claims in Superior Court.

Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, John practiced for over five years at Burns & Levinson in the General Trial Department, where he represented clients facing complex commercial and civil litigation in state and federal courts.

While John’s legal experience is predominantly in civil litigation, he has also handled criminal litigation, including trial and appellate work, both as a defense attorney and, for a short time, as a prosecutor.

John has lectured and given presentations about eminent domain to various groups and was invited by the Federal Highway Administration’s National Highway Institute to be a “Subject Matter Expert” as part of a team designing an eminent domain course to be offered nationwide to real estate professionals.

John attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine for his Freshman and Sophomore years. He then attended the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, for his Junior year, after which he took a “gap year” when he was awarded a one-year teaching fellowship by the German Academic Exchange Program. As part of that fellowship, John taught full time for a year in a German secondary school. He then completed his undergraduate education by attending the University of Rhode Island for his final year, from which he received his bachelor’s degree.

Services/Industries

Education

  • Northeastern University School of Law  (J.D.)
  • University of Rhode Island  (B.A.)

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts

Memberships

  • Boston Bar Association
  • Economic Development Committee, Roslindale Village Main Streets

Clerkships

  • The Massachusetts Superior Court

Firm Highlights

Publication/Podcast

Corporate Transparency Act—Considerations Affecting Entities That Are Exempt or Excluded from Reporting Company Status

The Corporate Transparency Act ( CTA ) takes effect starting January 1, 2024. The Act is administered by FinCEN , a bureau of U.S. Treasury charged with combatting money laundering and other financial crimes...

Publication/Podcast

Determining Whether Your Entity is a Reporting Company: Selected Issues

Under the Corporate Transparency Act ( CTA ), more than 30 million “ Reporting Companies ” will need to register with FinCEN (a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department) and file Beneficial Ownership Information...

Blog

HIPAA Privacy Rule Changes: Just in time for the New Year?

In 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed changes to the Privacy Rule under the Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act of 1996 (HIPAA) that would significantly alter the current regulations...

Matter

Elections and Constitutional Law: Successfully Challenged Certification of Initiative Petition

In a victory for consumers and the ride-hailing public, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently barred the Secretary of State from placing on the November ballot initiative petitions proposed by companies such as Uber...

Event

Annual Employment Law Update

More details coming soon!

Matter

Successful Representation of Insurer before U.S. District Court for the District of Maine

Verrill successfully represented an insurer before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine in an insurance coverage matter alleging that the insurer improperly denied a defense and indemnification to a landlord under...

Blog

The Donation Sweepstakes

Tis the season. Some people like to use the phrase “Doing Well by Doing Good.” Early U.S. business magnates knew that financial benefits can come from philanthropy. In 1888, Cornealius Vanderbilt donated $250,000 (that’s...

Blog

HR Power Hour with Heather Hansen

News

Verrill Recognized Nationally for Health Care, Land Use and Zoning, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, and Trust & Estates by Best Lawyers®

News

Expanded 2024 Maine Diversity Summer Associate Program Now Accepting Applications

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700