Gawthrop Greenwood Names John Rafferty Partner

Gawthrop Greenwood, PC is pleased to announce that litigator John Rafferty has been named a partner.

Rafferty is based in the firm’s West Chester office, where he focuses his practice on civil litigation, including commercial and emerging tech matters. He and the firm’s Litigation Department also represent survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation, including recovering damages for the traumas that adults experienced as children. Rafferty supports clients during every stage of dispute resolution, including pre-litigation negotiation, mediation and jury trials. He serves as a mediator for the Chester County Bar Association and as an Arbitrator for the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. Rafferty is also appointed on an as-needed basis by Chester County judges to represent vulnerable senior citizens in guardianship actions.

Rafferty joined Gawthrop Greenwood in 2017 as an associate, following his service in the Chester County District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit. As an Assistant District Attorney, he managed multiple cases from investigation through trial, prosecuting serious criminal matters, including homicides and sexual assaults.

“As a litigator, John has demonstrated an unflagging dedication to his clients from day one, coupled with a passion for community service and outreach that is highly valued by our firm,” says Patrick McKenna, Chair of the Management Committee at Gawthrop Greenwood. “We are thrilled to welcome him as our partner.”

Rafferty’s career began in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a naval officer in southeast Asia, southern California and the Middle East. While stationed in Bahrain, he volunteered as the Assistant General Secretary for the Migrant Workers Protection Society, which addressed the housing needs of the area’s migrant workforce. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for meritorious shipboard accomplishments, as well as the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for exemplary public-service efforts.

Rafferty 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 his work as a law student. Upon graduation, he received a Fulbright Fellowship, which enabled him to live in Ecuador for 10 months, where he conducted field research on the scope of human trafficking.

A frequent speaker and instructor in Continuing Legal Education, Rafferty is often invited to speak on emerging legal issues including blockchain and drone technology.

Rafferty currently serves on the board of advisors for the Villanova Law School’s Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation. He also serves on the board of community health provider La Comunidad Hispana, co-chairing its Risk Management Committee while also serving on LCH’s Executive Committee.