John H. Sokul is a partner with the law firm of Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP and is Chair of the Firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. Mr. Sokul focuses on commercial real estate transactions, zoning and land use. He represents owners, developers, retailers and investors in the acquisition, permitting, development, financing, leasing and operations of commercial properties and shopping centers throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Mr. Sokul regularly appears before planning and zoning boards and other regulatory agencies in connection with commercial and residential real estate projects. He has handled numerous complex matters involving the intersection of real estate and municipal law, including public-private partnerships, development agreements, impact fees, tax abatements, betterment assessments and exactions. Mr. Sokul also has significant experience in negotiating and drafting purchase and sale agreements, leases, development agreements, restrictive covenants and related documents for complex commercial real estate transactions.
He is a long-term member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, where he serves on the Planning Committee for the Annual New England Idea Exchange. He is also a Member of the prestigious international Counselors of Real Estate. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from the College of the Holy Cross, and his J.D. degree, with highest honors, from Duke University School of Law. Mr. Sokul is a member of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Bar Associations.
Education
- Duke University School of Law, J.D., 1984
- Holy Cross College, B.A., 1981
Bar Memberships
- Massachusetts, 1985
- New Hampshire, 1990
Work Experience
- Hinckley Allen
- Chair, Real Estate Law Group
- Co-Chair, Retail Law Group
- Partner (2007-Present)
- Cleveland, Waters and Bass, P.A.
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association: Natural Resources and Environmental Law; and Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Sections
- Boston College Club
- International Council of Shopping Centers (1995-Present)
- New England Idea Exchange Planning Committee, Member
- New Hampshire Governmental Affairs Chairman (1995-1998)
- New Hampshire Bar Association: Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Sections
- New Hampshire Commercial Investment Board of REALTORS® (NH CIBOR)
Honors & Awards
- Best Lawyers in America® (2007-2019) Lawyer of the Year (2014), Recognized for Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning and Real Estate Law
- Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for the categories of Real Estate and Real Estate: Land Use
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Peer Review Rating, Recipient
Charitable & Civic Involvement
- Babe Ruth World Series Advisory Committee (1993)
- Bishop Brady High School Advisory Board (2011-2014)
- City of Concord Economic Development Advisory Committee (2002-2006)
- Concord, New Hampshire Citizens Zoning Advisory Committee, Member (1999-2001)
- Concord YMCA, Board of Directors (1998-2008): President, 2006 & 2007; Vice President 2005
- Concord Business Group, President (1996 - 1998); Board of Directors (1995-2005)
- Concord Area Student Leadership Program, Chairman (1995-1997)
- Government Affairs Committee (2010-Present)
- Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Board of Direction (2010-Present); Local Government Affairs Committee, Chairperson (2014 - Present)
- ICSC, New England Idea Exchange, Planning Committee (2013); Government Relations, Chair in New Hampshire and Rhode Island (2010)
- Leadership Greater Concord: Class of 1994
- The Counselors of Real Estate, Board of Directors - Boston Chapter (2016)
Speaking Engagements
- National Business Institute – Real Estate Development, A Legal Primer – Manchester, NH, June 12, 2013
