Biography

John has an active litigation practice centered on creditors' rights, commercial disputes, landlord-tenant, intellectual property and bankruptcy matters. John has substantial expertise in turning a judgment into real money, and has brought numerous fraudulent transfer actions. He also has significant experience in hydroelectric facility permitting and water rights litigation, along with expertise in the interplay between environmental and bankruptcy law. He also provides preemptive advice to businesses seeking to avoid or minimize litigation.

John taught American literature at the University of Virginia for 10 years, prior to launching his legal career with Preti Flaherty in 1987. He resides in Portland, Maine.

Professional Activities

  • Maine State Bar Association
  • Former Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
  • National Business Institute, Inc.
    • Former Member of seminar faculty, speaking annually on foreclosures and security interests

Honors & Recognition

  • Recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Volunteer Lawyers Project
  • Port Veritas, Board Member
  • Former Volunteer Judge in the National Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition
  • Former Board Member, Coastal Conservation Association, Casco Bay Chapter

Firm Highlights

Publication

Maine Workers’ Compensation Update - November 2023

The following is an overview of developments with respect to proposed legislation as well as new procedures on independent contractor determinations, medical fee schedule updates, and the use of updated Board forms, including medical...

Publication

November 7, 2023 Election Results

Maine’s November 2023 statewide elections were exclusively referendum questions, four were citizen initiatives, and four were proposed amendments to the Maine Constitution. Of these, Questions 5, 7 and 8 were placed on the ballot...

News

Remembering Preti Flaherty Founder Robert F. Preti

We at Preti Flaherty are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our founding partners and longtime friend, Robert Preti. Bob was not just a part of our firm; he was a part...

News

Preti Flaherty Ranked Among Best Lawyers 2024 Best Law Firms

Best Lawyers has ranked Preti Flaherty among the Best Law Firms for 2024. To be eligible for ranking, a law firm must have at least one attorney named in the 2024 Best Lawyers in...

News

Preti Flaherty Welcomes Employment Law Attorney Brooke K. Haley to the Firm

Preti Flaherty is pleased to announce that attorney Brooke K. Haley has joined the firm’s Employment Law Practice Group as a Partner. Brooke will work primarily from the firm’s Portland office. Brooke’s practice centers...

Event

Eric Osterberg Presents Webinar on IP Rights and Infringement With Podcasts and Livestreaming

Eric Osterberg joins a panel of industry experts to present “IP Rights and Infringement With Podcasts and Livestreaming.” The panel focuses on guiding intellectual property counsel on the IP issues that arise when creating...

Press Coverage

Maine Media Organizations Oppose Foreign Electioneering Ban

Question 2 on Maine’s November ballot asserts that corporations owned or controlled by foreign governments do not have the same rights to political speech as companies here in the U.S. and that foreign governments should be prohibited...

Press Coverage

Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting Wins Public Records Dispute with York County Jail

Publication

FRBP 9006 Doesn't Take Vacations

Bodie Colwell of Preti Flaherty’s Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy Group, has authored the article "FRBP 9006 Doesn't Take Vacations," appearing in the October 2023 issue of the American Bankruptcy Institute's Young & New Members Committee newsletter...

Press Coverage

Bangor Releases Unredacted Files on Effort to Close Homeless Encampment

Following a five-month effort by local media, represented by attorney Sigmund Schutz, chair of Preti Flaherty's Media Law Practice Group, the City of Bangor finally released unredacted records related to its attempts to close a...