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

Blog

New Options for Retirement Plan Distributions Under SECURE 2.0

This post summarizes the new distribution options, including penalty-free withdrawals, applicable to defined contribution plans under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) and provides a timeline of their effective dates. The new...

News

Verrill Welcomes Partner Andrew M. Walsh to Firm’s Business Law Group

Publication/Podcast

State Trademark Registration

The United States has two levels of trademark registration: state and federal. A state trademark registration is issued by a state office and protects a trademark only in that state, whereas a federal trademark...

Matter

Advised Fortune 500 Company on Group Health and Welfare Benefit Plans

We were engaged by a Fortune 500 manufacturing company to provide legal and compliance services regarding its group health and welfare benefit plans. During the course of our representation, we have advised the company...

Event

Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups

Verrill associate Emily Waddell will be presenting at PROPEL 's Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups. In addition to presenters sharing their expertise, this session covers various Human Resource topics including...

Publication/Podcast

U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad with Ruth Mattson

Verrill partner Ruth Mattson was recently featured on The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel 's podcast series Trust and Estate Talk . In this podcast, U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad...

Blog

Tesla’s Cybertruck Raffle

On May 11, 2023, @BabyTesla3 sent out a Tweet: NEW: Tesla has revamped the Referral program and introduced a new loyalty program! Here’s what you need to know • S/X: 3,500 credits (referrer) &bull...

Blog

GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH!

Remember that old parody of the Battle Hymn of the Republic we used to sing before there was an Internet? There are apparently many versions, but they all generally involve children inflicting various types...

News

Jim Cohen Discusses “No Blank Checks” Citizen Initiative Before Maine Legislative Committee

Verrill Partner Jim Cohen was recently quoted in a Spectrum News article " Maine Ballot Initiative To Require Voter Approval For $1B Borrowing Gets Broad Support.” Maine LD 1772 is a citizen-initiated ballot question...

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...

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700