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Work History

John is recognized as a top municipal law attorney throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, as he serves as the solicitor for several diverse municipalities, boards, authorities, and commissions throughout the region. As emergencies, questions, and unique issues arise often in the municipal world, he offers 24-7 availability to his municipal clients with prompt responses and personal attention. Such exceptional municipal representation has earned him recognition as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2016-2020 and as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2022 and 2023 in the area of State, Local & Municipal Law. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

 

John is a frequent lecturer to local municipal, legal, and civic organizations and newly elected officials on zoning, land use, and municipal ethics issues. He also serves as the solicitor and organizer for the Montgomery County Zoning Officers’ Association and is the appointed Abington Township Red Light Camera Hearing Officer.

 

In addition to his municipal law focus, John represents residential, commercial, institutional, and religious-based clients in their real estate, zoning, and land use needs. He serves as legal counsel for landowners, homebuilders, Fortune 500 companies, homeowner associations, tenants, businesses, non-profit organizations, fire departments, churches, and schools that desire efficient, responsive, thorough, and cost-effective legal representation.

 

Prior to private practice, John served as a prosecutor with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office where he earned two commendations and formed a reputation as an honest, skilled, and prepared trial attorney. Ultimately, he was promoted to serve as Montgomery County’s Captain of Economic Crimes where he worked with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes. With such past experiences, John also assists clients with their criminal defense and estate planning needs, and was previously voted “Best of MontCo” in The Times Herald newspaper for Criminal Defense and Wills & Estates.

 

John is active in several local community groups and has received commendations from Abington Township and Cheltenham Township for his public service and volunteer work. Originally a native of Western Pennsylvania, John now resides with his beautiful wife and two children in Jenkintown.

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Professional Associations​

• Montgomery Bar Association, Municipal Law Committee

• Delaware County Bar Association, Municipal Law Committee

• Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, Member / Presenter

• Montgomery County Zoning Officers Association, Solicitor / Organizer / Presenter

• Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, Member

• Pennsylvania Boroughs Solicitors Association, Member

• Abington Health Foundation Business Council, Member

• Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, Member (2008-2013)

• Montgomery County Child Advocacy Project, Board of Advisors (2011-2013)

• Bryn Athyn College / Academy of the New Church, Trustee (2012-2015)

• Montgomery County LGBT Business Council, Founding Board Member (2017-2020)

 

Honors and Awards

• Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, State Local & Municipal Law, 2022-2024

• Pennsylvania Rising Star, State Local & Municipal Law, 2016-2020

• “Best of MontCo”, Times Herald, Criminal Defense and Wills & Estates, 2013

• Montgomery County District Attorney Commendations in 2012 (successful hit-and-run prosecution) and 2010 (successful homicide prosecution)

 

Representative Cases

• Coordinated public/private partnerships to assist a township with obtaining funding to save a significant historic landmark and open space from development while coordinating agreements related to the preservation and transfer of the historic property.

• Facilitated the sale of an open space property to a borough for parkland in lieu of a proposed development of the property pursuant to the seller’s pending land development application before the borough.

• Drafted the first municipal single-use plastic regulation ordinance in Pennsylvania that has been used as a model for other municipalities, environmental organizations, and proposed Commonwealth legislation.

• Successfully represented neighbors’ association in a land use appeal of a municipal approval of a land development that would adversely impact the neighbors.

• Represented landowner to obtain zoning approvals necessary to restore a historic, downtown building for the landowner to occupy for his business.

• Represented landowner in multiyear litigation with adjoining property owner to obtain access easement rights necessary for the development of the landowner’s property. 

• Designed and created a nonprofit organization for a municipality to facilitate the preservation of a historic theater and revitalization of its downtown district.       

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Publications and Speeches

• Land Use, Zoning, and Planning Basics for Newly Elected Supervisors, Presenter, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, 2024

• Roads? Where We're Going We Don't Need Roads!, Presenter on dedication and vacation of roads, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, 2023

• Navigating Municipal and Ethical Gray for Zoning Officers, Presenter, Pennsylvania Association of Zoning Officials, 2023

• Navigating Municipal Ethical and Legal Gray Areas for Municipal Officials, Presenter, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, 2022 and 2024

• Police Officer Social Media and Electronic Device Usage, Presenter, Police Chiefs’ Association of Montgomery County, October 2019

• Phone, Email & Social Media Etiquette to Avoid Legal Pitfalls, Presenter, Montgomery County Association of Township Officials, January 2018

• Medical Marijuana Legislation and the Impact on Municipalities, Presenter, Montgomery County Association of Township Officials, February 2017

• Municipal Planning for Medical Marijuana, Presenter, Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management, January 2017

• Coauthored “‘Moran’ Decision Has Big Implications for Municipal Officials”, Legal Intelligencer, March 17, 2015 and Pennsylvania Law Weekly, March 2015