Biography
Philip H. Graeter
Associate / 617 226-3492 / Email / PDF
Office: Boston
Experience
Mr. Graeter is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer representing businesses, partnerships, and individuals in a wide range of disputes. He concentrates his practice on business, land use, complex commercial, insurance coverage, and professional liability litigation. He has represented clients at all levels of the State and Federal Courts in Massachusetts, in arbitration, and before administrative agencies.
Before joining Hanify & King, Mr. Graeter was an associate at the Boston firms of Todd & Weld LLP and Sherin and Lodgen LLP.
Representative Engagements
- Represented the purchaser of Nantucket land at trial and on appeal against a municipality that claimed right to the property pursuant to eminent domain takings dating from 1968, obtaining a judgment for the client invalidating the purported takings and quieting title to the land. On appeal, the judgment was affirmed in a unanimous opinion by the Supreme Judicial Court, Devine v. Nantucket, 449 Mass. 499 (2007).
- Represented multiple parties in federal class action litigation involving complex issues of standing, class representation, jurisdiction, and sovereign immunity.
- Represented real estate brokerage firm in fiduciary duty litigation against former officer who engaged in secret business ventures to deprive client of commissions and business opportunities, resulting in a favorable settlement.
- Successfully represented numerous large and small businesses, religious and educational institutions, a municipality, and individuals in insurance coverage disputes and litigation, resulting in favorable settlements and judgments.
- Successfully prosecuted and defended legal malpractice claims, resulting in favorable settlements and judgments.
- Successfully represented client in appeal to enforce the arbitration clause in a commercial contract, Kingstown Corp. v. Black Cat Cranberry Corp, 65 Mass. App. Ct. 154 (2005).
- Served as Special Counsel to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners regarding the character and fitness of a bar applicant.
- Represented clients in Land Court cases both prosecuting and defending adverse possession claims, resulting in favorable settlements.
- Successfully represented quick-service restaurant franchisee in contract dispute with franchisor.
- Obtained multimillion dollar settlement for property owners and heirs in eminent domain proceeding.
- Successfully represented property owner against a municipal authority for wrongfully withholding construction permit, resulting in summary judgment and appellate decision mandating issuance of the permit
- Represented attorney at trial of disciplinary charges before a hearing panel of the Board of Bar Overseers.
Bar and Court Admissions
- Massachusetts State Courts
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Professional Involvement
- Boston and Massachusetts Bar Associations
- Boston Bar Association Public Interest Leadership Program (2005-2006)
Recent Publications
- “State Court Invalidates Taking, Returns Private Land to Owner” Banker & Tradesman, August 27, 2007
- “From Unfair to Unconstitutional: Making a Federal Case of Permits” Banker & Tradesman, February 26, 2007
Honors
- Named 2005 and 2006 Massachusetts Super Lawyer “Rising Star” in Boston Magazine
- Recipient of the St. Thomas More Commencement Award
- Jessup International Law Moot Court Team (Northeast Region Best Brief Award)
