John counsels clients in the acquisition, development, sale, leasing and financing of commercial real estate throughout the Northeast. A significant portion of John’s practice involves negotiating ground leases, retail leases and office leases, as well as the formation, negotiation, structuring and governance of sophisticated real estate joint ventures. John also regularly advises developers on the requirements for satisfying the complex land use regulations applicable to large-scale commercial projects.
Professionals The Team Behind the Results
Arsenal Yards
- Lead counsel for major Boston-area mixed use re-development project. This project transforms an existing enclosed mall to New England’s premier mixed-use retail, office, residential and hotel project, including JV formation, creation of complex condominium structure and retail leasing with cutting edge retailers. Read more about the Arsenal Yards case study here.
Retail Leasing Counsel for Nine Property Retail Power Center Portfolio
- Lead all leasing efforts with the top national and regional retailer for a portfolio of nine power and lifestyle centers situated in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
New York Ground-Up Development
- Represent client in structuring a joint venture for the development of an open-air shopping center that will, once completed, comprise over 650,000 square fee of retail.
Pittsburgh Area Power Center
- Provide complete retail leasing services for 475,000 square foot open-air regional shopping center.
Iconic Boston Area Regional Mall
- Represent client in a multi-party joint venture for the development of a regional mall, including drafting the LLC Agreement for the joint venture partner as well as the manager entity and the offering documents for the private offering.
Mixed Use Center in Southern Massachusetts
- Represent the developer in connection with construction financing, construction, subdivision (including creating the legal foundation for an integrated center covering separate real estate parcels owned by distinct entities), and leasing (including in-line retail and stand-alone ground leases) for a mixed use development.
Permitting of a new national pharmacy store
- Hinckley Allen represented a national pharmacy chain in the permitting of a new store in Woonsocket, RI that was met with significant neighborhood opposition. Our work includes successful representation of our client before the City Council, Zoning Board of Review and Planning Board. We also successfully defended project approvals against numerous appeals brought by neighbors.
Work Experience
- Hinckley Allen
- Chair, Retail
- Partner (2015-Present)
- Associate (2006-2015)
- Summer Associate (2004)
- Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Flaherty
- Law Clerk (2005-2006)
Honors & Awards
-
Best Lawyers in America® (2021-2026)
- Real Estate Law
-
Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA (2024-2026)
- Real Estate
-
Legal 500, US Elite: New England (2026)
- Real Estate
- Super Lawyers, New England, Rising Star (2012-2015)
Charitable & Civic Involvement
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Moses Brown School Alumni Association
- Board of Directors, Clerk (2025-Present)
- Board of Directors, Assistant Clerk (2022-2025)
- Board of Trustees, Member
- Save The Bay, Member and Annual Swim Participant
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Boston Bar Association
-
International Council of Shopping Centers
- National Next Generation Leadership Board
- Rhode Island Bar Association
Bar Memberships
- Massachusetts, 2005
- Rhode Island, 2005
Languages
- Spanish
Publication
Real Estate Ownership and Digital Media Rights in the Age of Extended Reality Technology
Extended reality is a broad term used to describe immersive technologies, which are software and applications that create immersive environments that merge computer-generated, digital content with the actual contours of our physical…
Publication
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Legal Changes in 2025 Affecting Commercial Real Estate Operations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island
Throughout the past year, state legislatures and regulatory agencies across New England have enacted new laws and regulations set to impact the future operations of commercial real estate located in the region.…
Firm News
Hinckley Allen Earns Strong Recognition in Chambers USA 2026 Guide
Hinckley Allen has once again earned prominent recognition in the Chambers USA 2026 Guide. This year, 10 practice areas and more than 30 attorneys across the firm’s offices in the Northeast and…
Firm News
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Excellence Across Practices: Legal 500 Recognizes Hinckley Allen Attorneys in US Elite
Fourteen Hinckley Allen partners across the firm’s core practice areas have been recognized in Legal 500’s US Elite rankings—another significant milestone reflecting strategic growth, unwavering commitment to client service, and strong market…
Case Study
Victory in Case of First Impression: Zoning Restrictions and Short-term Rentals in RI
When the Town of Barrington (the "Town") told the Rhode Island School of Design (“RISD”) that its use of certain property as a short-term rental violated the Town Zoning Ordinance, RISD turned…
Case Study
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Counsel for Unique Mixed-Use Development
Rock Row is an experiential mixed-use development thoughtfully designed to fuse the newest building innovations and open green-spaces with its iconic natural features. Through careful planning, Rock Row combines healthy urban living,…
Upcoming Event
ICSC@NEW ENGLAND
July 13, 2026Hinckley Allen is pleased to attend ICSC@NEW ENGLAND, taking place July 13–14, 2026, at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport in Boston, Massachusetts. ICSC@NEW ENGLAND brings together the innovators, dealmakers, and…
Past Event
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Information Management Network: Real Estate Private Fund Forum
June 24, 2026Hinckley Allen is proud to sponsor Information Management Network’s (IMN) Real Estate Private Fund Forum, widely recognized as the East Coast’s premier summer gathering of real estate private funds, private equity firms,…