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PREMIUM
John Rafferty
Accomplished Contract Litigator! Skilled Advocacy to Solve Your Legal Dilemma!
Legal Knowledge
5.0/5.0
Legal Analysis
4.8/5.0
Communication Skills
5.0/5.0
Ethics and Professionalism
5.0/5.0
Evan Kelly
July 23, 2023
Rating:
10
John is very hardworking, thoughtful, a critical thinker and tenacious
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileOffers Video ConferencingQ&ALII Platinum
Biography
I am a litigator and focus my practice on Civil and Business Litigation matters. If there's a dispute brewing that may involve an agreement (even a handshake or verbal promise) or a contract, I'd love to help you identify a resolution, or if necessary, bring the case to trial before a judge or jury.
My extensive trial experience includes work at the Chester County District Attorney’s Office where, as an Assistant District Attorney, I managed multiple cases from investigation through trial, prosecuting serious criminal matters, including homicides and assaults.
My career began in the U.S. Navy, where I served as a naval officer in southeast Asia, Southern California and the Middle East. I was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for meritorious shipboard accomplishments, as well as the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for exemplary public service efforts.
I was awarded a full scholarship to Villanova Law School as a Public Interest Scholar, and received the Super Lawyers Pro Bono Award for exhibiting a significant and sustained commitment to public service through my work as a law student.
Practice Areas
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Animal & Dog Law
Video Conferencing
- Google Meet
- Skype
- Zoom
- FreeConferenceCall
- GoToMeeting
- Microsoft Teams
- WebEx
Fees
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Free Consultation
If you mention Justia, I will provide you a 30 minute consultation at no charge, before my hourly-rate is billed after that. -
Credit Cards Accepted
I accept payment via every major credit card. -
Contingent Fees
If you have been assaulted, abused or injured, I may be able to take your case on a contingent fee arrangement; meaning my firm is only paid if we win your case.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Pennsylvania
- Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
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Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
- Partner
- Gawthrop Greenwood, P.C.
- - Current
- Assistant District Attorney (Child Abuse Unit)
- Chester County District Attorney's Office
- -
- Independence Foundation Fellow
- Friends of Farmworkers, Inc.
- -
- Fulbright Research Fellow
- Fulbright Fellowship through the U.S. State Department
- -
- During a year in Quito, I researched the ways in which the Ecuadorian government was implementing its laws intended to prevent and punish human trafficking; and learned about what innovations were happening to restore survivors.
- Anti-Human Trafficking Intern
- IOM
- Senior Legal and Policy Fellow
- Polaris (formerly Polaris Project)
- Logistics Officer
- Mine Countermeasures Division 31
- -
- Lieutenant
- US Navy
- -
Education
- Villanova University School of Law
- J.D. (2012) | Law
- Honors: Full Scholarship to Villanova Law due to commitment to Public Interest & Human Rights
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- Boston College
- B.A. (2005) | Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Arts & Science: Honors Program; Navy ROTC midshipman
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Awards
- Rising Star
- Super Lawyers
- 2020-2023
- Top Lawyer
- Main Line Today
- 2018 - 2023
- 10.0 Superb Rating
- Avvo
- AV Preeminent Peer Rating
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Best Lawyers - Readers Choice Awards
- Daily Local News
- 2021-2022
Professional Associations
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Attorney
- Current
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- Chester County Bar Association
- Attorney
- Current
- Activities: Young Lawyers' Division, Mock Trial
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- La Comunidad Hispana
- Board Member and Chair of Risk Management
- Current
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- Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania
- Member
- Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
- Litigating Cryptocurrency: Is Bitcoin’s Future Doomed?
- The Legal Intelligencer
- Encyclopedia of Transnational Crime and Justice (Authored article for "Nongovernmental Organization")
- SAGE
- The Manama Declaration on Human Trafficking at the Crossroads (Co-Author)
- Human Trafficking at the Crossroads (Bahrain)
Speaking Engagements
- New Jersey & Pennsylvania Light a Beacon for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, NBC 10 News
- What You Need to Know about the New Pennsylvania Drone Laws, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Mastering Bitcoin, Digital Currency, & Blockchain Law, 24/7 On-demand Recording & Complimentary Podcast CLE
- Identifying & Representing Victims of Human Trafficking, Continuing Legal Education
- Blockchains and Bitcoin: What Lawyers Can't Afford to Ignore, Jenkins Law Library, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- My Website
A Quick Hello from John
Legal Answers
6 Questions Answered
- Q. What if a power of attorney is needed to make decisions but he can not be reached?
- A: You can file a petition in the Orphans' Court Division in the Court of Common Pleas of the County in which your grandfather resides, Petitioning the Court to Remove your brother as POA; for failing to perform the job he was appointed to perform. If your grandfather lacks cognitive capacity to make important decisions, you might also consider filing a Petition for Guardianship, which would enable a new, designated person (the guardian) to work with your grandfather to help him make important decisions and manage his money.
- Q. My friend's mom is near death and her sister, brothers and father are not allowing her necessary care and visitation.
- A: She might consider filing a petition for guardianship of her mother, alleging that she needs assistance caring for herself and determining who can see her, and her current care-situation is insufficient. An estates attorney should be able to help you prepare and file such a petition.
- Q. Is my son responsible for my nursing home payments should I have to be in one? My property is in his name also, \
- A: Your could be responsible for your nursing home payments if he signs a personal guarantee, or something similar for the nursing home, promising to make payment if you or your estate assets run out of funds. Alternatively, if you ran up a significant bill that the nursing filed a suit in order to get paid, their judgment would be against you and your assets, but not your son (if he doesn't sign a personal guarantee, or something similar) - so your property (if then titled in both your names) would not likely be subject to the judgment.
Social Media
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