Biography
John D. Hanify
Shareholder / 617 226-3450 / Email / PDF
Office : Boston :
Experience
John is a trial lawyer, co-founder of the firm, and a practice leader in the firm’s commercial litigation practice. He has been ranked by Chambers USA as among the top commercial litigators in Boston (Band #1).For successive years, he has been named in Best Lawyers in America and as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer. He has tried cases and represented business clients in state and federal courts, before federal and state agencies, and in arbitration. He has served as a mediator in complex civil cases and as an arbitrator in commercial arbitration. He has written and lectured on topics involving business litigation and corporate risk management.
John and his team have represented businesses, officers, directors and managers in a broad array of state and federal court disputes, including class actions, patent infringement and trade secret claims, energy, health law and ERISA disputes.
Before founding Hanify & King, John served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, defending the constitutionality of various federal statutes and challenges to the Defense Department’s phased array early warning systems. For these and other assignments, John received the Justice Department’s Outstanding Performance Award.
John has tried cases involving business fraud, unfair and deceptive trade practices, professional and fiduciary duties, representations and warranties in connection with the sale of businesses, lender liability, and shareholder and partnership disputes.
He has also served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, litigating the constitutionality of financial powers reserved to the Executive Branch of The Commonwealth.
Representative Engagements
- Judgment for defendants, sellers of business, in defense of multi-million claim for fraud, breaches of financial representations and warranties in business purchase and sale agreement.
- Judgment after trial in favor of defendants, former partners, in defense of multimillion dollar partnership claims.
- Judgment for plaintiff in the first jury trial conducted in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts, respecting disputed property interests.
- Jury trials and multiple damages awards involving claims of business fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, fraud and unfair and deceptive acts and practices. Verdict for plaintiffs, including exoneration from multimillion dollar commercial liabilities, and damages for unfair and deceptive business practices. Verdict for defendants in defense of unfair business practice and fraud claim for breach of commercial lending commitment.
- Multimillion dollar judgment for claimant in commercial arbitration proceedings claiming unfair and deceptive practices and breach of warranty in connection with the sale of defective business software.
Professional Involvement
- Former Member, Council of the Boston Bar Association
- Fellow of the American, Boston, and Massachusetts Bar Foundations
- Trustee of the Boston Bar Foundation
- Overseer, Boston College Law School
- Boston College Law School Dean Search Committee
Recognition
- In 2009, Chambers USA described John as "The shining star of the practice" who brings "vast experience in mediation, arbitration and litigation to disputes." "Clients are emphatic in their praise for John Hanify. Described as 'a ferocious advocate who works quickly and efficiently,' he wins praise for his succinct style and authoritative presence in court."
- In 2010, Chambers USA gave John its #1 ranking, noting and quoting client references: Superb lawyer John Hanify is "aggressive when necessary, and hugely capable."
