Partner

John Rafferty

BIOGRAPHY

John Rafferty is a litigator who focuses his practice on civil and business litigation matters. His extensive trial experience includes his work at the Chester County District Attorney’s office where, as an Assistant District Attorney, he managed multiple cases from investigation through trial, prosecuting serious criminal matters, including homicides and assaults.

John’s career began in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a naval officer in southeast Asia, southern California and the Middle East. In Bahrain, he served 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.

John 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, John 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. When he returned to the U.S., he fought for immigration benefits for victims of human trafficking with the Philadelphia non-profit law firm Justice at Work. John also initiated civil suits under federal and state law to recover unpaid wages for victims of trafficking.

John currently serves on the board of advisors for the Villanova Law School’s Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation. He serves on the board of the Barn at Springbrook Farm and chairs the Barn’s Governance Committee. He also serves on the board of La Comunidad Hispana, while chairing its Risk Management Committee.

John is often invited to speak about the vulnerabilities that lead to situations of human trafficking, including at events hosted by state senators in the Chester County region. Other speaking engagements include:

New Jersey & Pennsylvania Light a Beacon for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse – NBC10 News (December 2019)
What You Need to Know About New Drone Laws in Pennsylvania – Continuing Legal Education (January 2019)
Identifying & Representing Victims of Human Trafficking – Continuing Legal Education (October 2018)
Mastering Bitcoin, Blockchain and Digital Currency Law – Webinar (October 2018)
Assisting Survivors of Sex Trafficking – Temple University School of Public Health (Mar 2017)
Labor Trafficking & Its Challenges – Luzerne County Family Services Association (Jan 2017)
International Human Rights Guest Lecturer – Villanova Law School & Chestnut Hill College (Ongoing since 2014)
Best Practices in Crime Scene Photography – Pennsylvania State Police & Centre County Police (2015-2016)

John was also recently invited to present a Continuing Legal Education course on “Blockchains and Bitcoin: What Lawyers Can’t Afford to Ignore” at the nation’s oldest law library, Jenkins Law Library in Center City Philadelphia.

John lives with his wife, Sarah, in the borough of West Chester. Together, they enjoy cooking, mountain biking and developing side businesses.

CREDENTIALS

COURT ADMISSIONS

Pennsylvania Supreme Court, 2013
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 2012
Boston College, B.A., Philosophy, 2005

MEMBERSHIPS & SERVICE

Villanova Law School’s Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation, board of directors
Barn at Springbrook Farm, board member and chair of governance committee
La Comunidad Hispana, board member and chair of risk management committee

ADDITIONAL DISTINCTIONS

VISTA.Today Millennial Superstar, 2021
Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2020
Top Lawyers, Main Line Today, 2018-2020
Fulbright Research Fellow in Ecuador
Super Lawyers Pro Bono Award
Independence Foundation Legal Fellow
Dorothy Day Award for Excellence in the Provision of Pro Bono Legal Services
Walter-Lucas Public Interest Fellow
Villanova Award for Advancing Equality of Opportunity & Treatment of Women

NEWS & INSIGHTS

Avoiding a Lawsuit Trap for Overtime Pay Rules

Employers are hungry for skilled workers they can promote to positions of responsibility. When they do, the promoted employee’s compensation is often switched from an hourly wage to a salary.

Is Your Business Taking Advantage of Section 139 Disaster Relief Payments?

As businesses continue to deal with the pandemic and look for ways to assist their employees, Section 139 payments are a great way to benefit both the employee and the employer.

New Pennsylvania Bill Aligns with Federal Tax Treatment of Forgiven PPP Loans

On February 5, 2021, Governor Wolf signed into law Act 1 of 2021 (SB 109), which, among other things, provides clarity and relief for Pennsylvanians who received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds. It was made clear the forgiveness of a PPP loan will not result in Pennsylvania personal taxable income.

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…

Gawthrop Greenwood Litigator John Rafferty Featured as Millennial Superstar by VISTA.Today

After combing through more than 190 nominations highlighting the achievements of local millennials, VISTA.Today has named Gawthrop Greenwood attorney John Rafferty a 2021 VISTA Millennial Superstar. Rafferty is profiled today…

PRACTICE AREAS