John F. Rooney III

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John F. Rooney III has tried to verdict over 100 cases in state and federal court. His practice focuses on defending asbestos, talc and benzene cases, complex products liability, environmental damage, utility company litigation, aviation law, contract actions, insurance fraud, sexual abuse matters, premises liability, and criminal law. Prior to joining the firm, John was an Assistant District Attorney in the largest county in Massachusetts where he was a Senior Trial Attorney representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in major felony prosecutions.

He represents numerous Fortune 500 companies in New England, and currently represents over 40 companies in the asbestos and talc litigation throughout New England. John also serves as National Coordinating Counsel for a number of clients. In that capacity he coordinates global defense strategies, prepares cases for trial, manages expert development, and coordinates the overall defense of those clients.

Additionally, as lead defense counsel, John managed all civil litigation related to a series of natural gas explosions in three neighboring Massachusetts towns, including numerous wrongful death cases, personal injury cases, business interruption claims, and property claims, along with the successful resolution of seven consolidated class action cases.

John has been named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer, honored as a Top Lawyer by The Boston Globe, and has been awarded Martindale-Hubbell’s highest AV rating.

When away from the office, John is an active participant in local town government for the town of Southborough, previously sitting as the Chair of the Board of Selectmen and a member of the town’s Finance Committee. He is an avid reader of classic literature and philosophy, a diehard Red Sox fan, and has competed in competitive boxing tournaments since age ten.

Admissions

Memberships

State Bar of Massachusetts
State Bar of New Hampshire
State Bar of Connecticut
District of Columbia Bar Association
Defense Research Institute (DRI)

Community Involvement

Children’s Law Center
Yale University Mock Trial Competition (Presiding Judge)
Member, Southborough Advisory Committee

Education

J.D., New England School of Law
- Class Rank 1/244
B.S., summa cum laude, Government, Suffolk University

Honors

Massachusetts Super Lawyers
New England School of Law Trustee Scholarship
The American Jurisprudence Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Constitutional Law, Evidence, Antitrust, and Conflict of Laws
Best Lawyers in America® distinction in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants (2023-2025)
Who’s Who in America
Super Lawyers®, distinction in Personal Injury – Products, Utilities, Class Action/Mass Torts and Construction Litigation, (2006, 2011-2024)