John P. Connelly is a partner in the Boston office, where he serves as Vice Chair of the Construction & Public Contracts Group. John represents clients in construction, real estate, and business litigation. In his construction practice, John represents construction managers, subcontractors, developers, and owners in state and federal courts and arbitration proceedings. He is also involved in drafting and negotiating all types of construction contracts, development agreements, and project labor agreements. He has significant experience advising clients through all phases of business issues, litigation, and risk management to resolve matters efficiently and effectively.
John’s representative matters include contract negotiation and disputes involving large-scale public and private building projects, transportation and public works projects, commercial real estate developments, complex design and construction defect claims, and surety and insurance coverage matters.
He has been recognized for his excellence in the field by Best Lawyers in America® (2016–2025) in Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, and Real Estate Law, and was named Lawyer of the Year in 2020. He is ranked by Chambers USA (2020–2025) as a Senior Statesperson in Construction Law and holds an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®. He has also been named to Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2020–2024) and Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers list for Construction Law (2022–2024).
John is actively involved in professional and industry organizations. He is a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Construction Industry, Litigation Section, Construction Litigation Committee, Tort and Insurance Practice Section, and the Fidelity & Surety Law Committee, where he served as Vice-Chair from 2001 to 2007. He is also a member of the Boston Bar Association’s Real Estate Section and served as Co-Chair of its Construction Law Committee from 2007 to 2009. His affiliations include the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, the Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts (REBA), and the Urban Land Institute.
In addition to his legal practice, John is deeply engaged in civic and charitable work. He serves on the Board of Advisors of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Needham and is a Trustee of the Cotting School and North Hill Communities. A longtime Town Meeting Member for the Town of Needham, he has chaired both the Town’s Finance Committee and Permanent Public Building Committee. He was the recipient of the Town of Needham’s Richard P. Melick Foundation Award in 2004.
John is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He is a graduate of Yale University and Boston College Law School.