John Roddy

John represents consumers in class actions challenging unfair and deceptive business practices, and serves as relator’s counsel in qui tam “whistleblower” actions. In the last two decades the settlements in cases he has litigated have returned more than $1 billion to consumers harmed by marketplace misconduct.

John regularly writes and speaks on class action practice and consumer financial services law, and has published dozens of articles on these topics. He has co-chaired PLI’s Annual Consumer Financial Services Institute for the past 20 years. He was recently named to the 2020 Lawyers of the Year by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. 

Awards & Accolades

Lawyer of the Year, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2020)

Super Lawyers, Massachusetts, Class Action/Mass Torts (2011 - 2022)

Government Service / Previous Employment

• Legislative Counsel to the Attorney General (1986 - 1987)
• Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General (1980 - 1985)

Case Studies

Representative Matters

• Secured a $143 million settlement for residents of the Merrimack Valley devastated by explosions and fires caused by Columbia Gas pipeline leaks; work included successfully coordinating a dozen class actions, persuading Columbia Gas to mediate rather than litigate, and negotiating a global resolution, which, if it receives final approval, will be the capstone on a $1.6 billion restoration of the affected communities
• Obtained a $10.6 million settlement in a breach of fiduciary duty case against Bank of New York Mellon; BNY Mellon continued to fight even after class certification, and only settled on the eve of trial
• Mediated settlement in a case against Uber for charging riders to and from Boston’s airport an $8.50 “Logan Massport surcharge,” when the airport assessed no such fee; favorable ruling by the First Circuit included reversal of the dismissal and remand to the trial court, with Uber agreeing to refund all of the challenged fees in the final mediated settlement
• Pursuing an array of cases against payday lenders reinvented as “financial advisors,” as well as rent-a-tribe fronts hiding behind the sovereign immunity of Indian tribes

News & Insights

Selected Publications

“HomeCorps ~ Federal Court Practice: Representing Homeowners in Economic Distress” (National Consumer Law Center, January 2016)

“Food Labeling Litigation” (MBA Consumer Advocacy Symposium, November 2015)

“Class Action Settlements: Innovative Approaches to Class Notice, Objector Litigation, and Mediation” (Boston Bar Association, May 2014)

“The Evolution of Arbitration” in Consumer Financial Services Institute (Practising Law Institute, February 2010)

“Fallout From The Subprime Mortgage Crisis” (US Bankruptcy Court Foreclosure Mediation Symposium, June 2009)

“Foreclosure Avoidance Strategies” (Suffolk University Law School, Center for Advanced Legal Studies, May 2008)

"A Brief History of Refund Anticipation Loan Litigation " in Consumer Financial Services Litigation Institute (Practising Law Institute, March 2006)

Community and Professional Activities

Fellow, American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers

National Association of Consumer Advocates

Appleseed Foundation, Advisory Board

National Consumer Law Center, Partners’ Council

Consumer Financial Services Law Report, Board of Advisors

Volunteer Lawyers Project