Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2027 
John serves as Managing Partner of Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP, where he also sits on the firm's Management Committee. For more than three decades, he has advised public and private sector clients on sophisticated finance transactions, governance matters, and strategic legal issues involving tax-exempt and taxable financings.
His practice encompasses municipal finance, governance, nonprofit organizations, tax, and disclosure, with experience representing organizations in the health care, affordable housing, higher education, and cultural institution sectors. Throughout his career, John has served as lead counsel to issuers, borrowers, underwriters, lenders, and credit enhancement providers in financings exceeding $30 billion, including several that were recognized by The Bond Buyer as "Deal of the Year."
In addition to transactional work, John provides ongoing counsel to governmental entities on constitutional authority, statutory interpretation, procurement and contracting, regulatory developments, tax matters, and compliance obligations. He also advises nonprofit organizations and other private entities on organizational structure, tax-exempt status, mergers and affiliations, public-private partnerships, joint ventures, governance, and day-to-day legal matters.
A frequent speaker and author on public finance topics, John has presented at conferences sponsored by the National Association of Bond Lawyers, the American Bar Association, and other industry associations. He has also written extensively on municipal finance, securities disclosure, and tax-related issues affecting public and nonprofit organizations.
