Professional Associations
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Montgomery County Bar Association, Member
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Delaware County Bar Association, Member
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Abington Health Foundation Business Council, Member
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Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, Member (2008-2013)
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Montgomery County Child Advocacy Project, Board of Advisors (2011-2013)
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Bryn Athyn College / Academy of the New Church, Trustee (2012-2015)
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Montgomery County LGBT Business Council, Founding Board Member (2017-2020)
Bar Admissions
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Pennsylvania
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New Jersey
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U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Education
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Villanova School of Law, J.D., Pro Bono Service Award Recipient
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Bryn Athyn College, M.A.
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West Virginia University, B.S., Summa Cum Laude
Work History
John is recognized as a top municipal law attorney throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, having served as solicitor for a number of diverse municipalities, boards, authorities, and commissions. Such exceptional municipal representation has earned his selection to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star List in the area of State, Local & Municipal Law for 2016-2020 and his recognition as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2022. 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 the subject of zoning and municipal ethic issues. He also serves as the solicitor for the Montgomery County Zoning Officer’s 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, developers, 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 a number of 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, Shannon, and two children in Jenkintown.
Publications and Speeches
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Police Officer Social Media and Electronic Device Usage, Presenter, Police Chiefs Association of Montgomery County, October 2019
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Phone, Email & Social Media Etiquette to Avoid Legal Pitfalls, Presenter, Montgomery County Association of Township Officials, January 2018
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Medical Marijuana Legislation and the Impact on Municipalities, Presenter, Montgomery County Association of Township Officials, February 2017
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Municipal Planning for Medical Marijuana, Presenter, Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management, January 2017
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Coauthored “‘Moran’ Decision Has Big Implications for Municipal Officials”, Legal Intelligencer, March 17, 2015 and Pennsylvania Law Weekly, March 2015
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Navigating Municipal and Ethical Gray Areas in Zoning, Presenter, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, 2022
