Education

University of Maine School of Law
J.D. | 1983
Law Review

Hampshire College, University of Massachusetts
B.A. | 1977
Honors Program

Admissions

  • Vermont | 2010
  • U.S. District Court, District of Vermont | 2005
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts | 2003
  • District of Columbia | 1988
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit | 1986
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maine | 1985
  • Massachusetts | 1985
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit | 1984
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims | 1984
  • Maine | 1983

ABOUT John

John Hobson’s cross-disciplinary practice includes commercial litigation, complex products liability litigation, and personal injury litigation. He has an extensive trial practice representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Mr. Hobson also writes, lectures, and practices extensively in the area of construction law.

For over thirty years, Mr. Hobson has litigated in the state and federal courts in the Northern New England states. His extensive litigation practice consists of complex commercial disputes, construction litigation and arbitration, products liability and personal injury litigation, as well as insurance litigation. Utilizing his litigation experience, he is also able to advise clients in construction and commercial contract negotiations how to structure transactions to avoid the pitfalls which, unless considered in the drafting process, often lead to litigation later in the transaction.

Mr. Hobson is Peer Review Rated for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability by Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© since 2006 in the field of Construction Law for Maine. He is admitted to practice in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and the District of Columbia, as well as in the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Hobson served as Judicial Law Clerk at the United States Court of Federal Claims, Washington, D.C. (1983-1984).

Publications / Seminars

Mr. Hobson is the author of the State of Maine section for Lien Law Online (available at lienlawonline.com), an authoritative website devoted to mechanics’ lien law for all fifty states. He is the author of a chapter in Inside the Minds: Construction Laws, Settlement and Negotiation (Aspatore Books, 2007). He is the co-author of Maine State Construction Law handbook and State Public Construction Law Source Book (CCH, 2002), as well as a lecturer at numerous construction law seminars involving topics related to construction contracts with both public and private entities.

Membership

Mr. Hobson is a past President and a member of the Board of Governors of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association. He has served as Chair of the Governor’s Select Committee on Judicial Appointments, appointed by Governor John Baldacci (2005-2011; Vice-Chair 2002-2005). In April, 2011, he was appointed by Governor Paul LePage and also serves as a member of the current administration’s Judicial Selection Committee. He is a member of both the American Board of Trial Advocates and The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Mr. Hobson is a former member and Chairman of the Falmouth Town Council. Mr. Hobson is a member of the American Bar Association, Maine State Bar Association, Vermont Bar Association and Cumberland Bar Association.