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

• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Connecticut
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court, Massachusetts
• U.S. District Court, New Hampshire
• U.S. District Court, Connecticut
• U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

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