About John

John is Counsel in the St. John’s office of McInnes Cooper whose practice is primarily focused on the construction industry. In addition, his practice includes corporate and commercial litigation and insurance defence. He is a member of McInnes Cooper’s Business Dispute Resolution, Litigation, Insurance and Construction Industry groups.

He represents consulting engineers, architects, owners and contractors on contract matters concerning civil construction, municipal works, offshore projects, commercial and residential developments, and equipment and technology acquisitions and installations. His work has included advising on front end terms for tenders, drafting construction contracts and evaluating construction claims, design issues, change order disputes, extras, delay, contractual interference, and termination. The nature of the matters range from complex construction issues, multi-contractor claims dealing with large scale structures, bridges, water treatment plants, food manufacturing and road, railway and airport construction.

He is appointed counsel to a number of professional groups and has acted on a number of professional disciplinary matters. John also has an interest in business start-ups and has served as legal counsel on several film and television productions.

John has been featured in Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory. He is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland, Canadian Bar Association, American Bar Association, ADR Institute of Canada, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (mediation), Canadian Association of University Solicitors and the Newfoundland Construction Association. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Health Regional Authority, and the Appeal Commissioner for the NL Public Service Pension Act.  John received his Queen’s Counsel appointment in 2014.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Repeatedly Recommended by The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for Construction Law (2023)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® Canada for his practice in Corporate Governance Practice (since 2012), in Construction Law (since 2014) and in Corporate and Commercial Litigation (since 2016)

Appointments & Community Involvement

  • Board Member of Eastern Health
  • Advisory Board of the Canadian Society of Decorative Arts
  • Board of Directors at the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complains Commission, 2017-2022
  • Board of Directors for Business & Arts NL
  • Board of Directors for Concept Management Inc.
  • Board Member of the MUN Faculty of Medicine Development Council
  • Director on the Board of Directors at Northern Radar
  • Chair of The Rooms Foundation of Newfoundland & Labrador Corporation
  • Board Member of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Advisory Council
  • Board Member of the Health Research Ethics Board

Education

  • Mediation Course, Harvard (2012)
  • J.D., Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University (1981)
  • B.A., Memorial University of Newfoundland (1968)

Bar Admissions

  • Newfoundland & Labrador (1981)

Languages

  • English