John F. Tocci

• Guided a client through a difficult multi-state layoff, crafting numerous state-specific separation and release agreements for separating employees.
• Defeated a municipal employer’s attempt to dismiss claims by an executive employee asserted along with whistleblower claims.
• Obtained a summary dismissal of an OSHA retaliation claim, sparing the client a federal administrative trial.
• Obtained a dismissal of an MCAD discrimination and retaliation complaint filed by a former human resources director. A novel issue in this case was whether an HR employee report, in the usual course of duties, could be considered an assertion of rights.
• Successfully defended a municipal employee accused of defaming a superior by asserting sexual harassment allegations. A two-week jury trial resulted in a defense verdict.
• Successfully prosecuted business litigation claims by a partner and a corporation against a former partner for breach of fiduciary duties. After a bench trial in the Superior Court Business Litigation Session, obtained a favorable verdict which included an attorneys’ fee award based upon Ch. 93A unfair and deceptive act claims.
• In a test of the Massachusetts Anti-SLAPP statute, secured a dismissal of complaint against a community organizer opposed to a development project. Obtained attorney fee award for client.
• Numerous and varied dismissals of administrative discrimination/retaliation claims, successfully demonstrating legitimate non-discriminatory/non-retaliatory bases for terminations.

Distinctions:

• Named a Massachusetts “Go To Employment Lawyer” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 2025
• Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2008-present
• New England Super Lawyers, 2011-present

Admitted:

• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
• S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Member:

• Massachusetts Bar Association (House of Delegates, 2023-present; Paid Family Medical Leave Working Group, 2023-present; Judicial Administration Section Council, 2022-present; the Labor & Employment Section Council, ten-year member and Chair, 2013-2014); Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, Parental Leave Regulations Committee Chair, 2016-2020; Disability, Discrimination and Guidelines Committee, 1996-2000)
• Justinian Law Society/Massachusetts Italian Bar Association (Board Member, 2004-present, President, 2012-2014)
• Boston Bar Association
• International Lawyers Network
• Dedham Commission on Disability, Member (2010-2020), Chair (2014-2020)
• Dedham School Building Rehabilitation Committee, Member (2017-2025), Chair (2021-2025)
• Institute for Health and Recovery, Board Member (1996-present)

Outside the office, John is a lifelong student of history with a voracious appetite for original texts. He was thrilled to help facilitate the loaning of an original bound transcript of Day 1 of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial from the Justinian Law Society to the Dedham Museum and Archive.

A devoted Boston sports fan and long-time Patriots season ticket holder, John also enjoys cooking and claims his grilled cheese is the stuff of legend. He is the current guardian of the First Church (Dedham) baked bean recipe and beanpots— local treasures passed down through generations—and occasionally slow-cooks a batch the traditional way.

Known for his encyclopedic recall of song lyrics, John is always up for a conversation about Neil Young.