Atty. John M. Cornish

Atty. John M. Cornish

John M. Cornish is a lawyer practicing wealth management, taxation, trusts and estates and 3 other areas of law.

Boston Boston 53 yrs experience 53 year
Call (508) 786-8013 Book Appointment

Taxation & More Attorney · Serving Boston, MA · 53+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About John M. Cornish at a Glance

John M. Cornish is a Practice Group Leader based in Boston, Massachusetts, practicing at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP. They have 53+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1973. Their practice focuses on trusts, estate planning, business, and tax. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts (1973). Educated at Boston University School of Law (LL.M. Georgetown, 1977) and Harvard University (A.B., 1969). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in Boston, MA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About John M. Cornish

  • John M. Cornish is a lawyer practicing wealth management, taxation, trusts and estates and 3 other areas of law
  • John received a A.B. degree from Harvard University in 1969, and has been licensed for 53 years
  • John practices at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP in Boston, MA

Practice Areas Explained

John M. Cornish's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John M. Cornish handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Boston.

Trusts in Boston

John M. Cornish is one of 103,428 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Massachusetts →

Estate Planning & Probate in Boston

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

John M. Cornish is one of 224,789 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Massachusetts →

Business & Corporate Law in Boston

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

John M. Cornish is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Massachusetts →

Tax Law in Boston

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

John M. Cornish is one of 84,606 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in Massachusetts →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Boston

Practicing law in Massachusetts. Legal matters in Massachusetts are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Boston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Massachusetts state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Massachusetts brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Massachusetts courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Boston Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Boston-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Massachusetts attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Boston or all attorneys in Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About John M. Cornish

Where is John M. Cornish's law office located?
John M. Cornish's law practice is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm is Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does John M. Cornish handle?
John M. Cornish focuses on trusts, estate planning, business, tax. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Massachusetts.
How long has John M. Cornish practiced law?
John M. Cornish has 53+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1973.
Where did John M. Cornish go to law school?
John M. Cornish earned their education at (LL.M. Georgetown, 1977); (A.B., 1969).
How can I contact John M. Cornish for a consultation?
You can contact John M. Cornish directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has John M. Cornish received?
John M. Cornish's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Boston Choose John M. Cornish

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish John M. Cornish's practice in the field of trusts, estate planning, business, and tax.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

John M. Cornish brings 53+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering trusts, estate planning, and business, John M. Cornish can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Boston

A Boston-based practice means John M. Cornish attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues John M. Cornish Handles in Boston

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters John M. Cornish has experience with under Massachusetts law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Last wills and testaments
Estate Planning
Revocable living trusts
Estate Planning
Powers of attorney
Estate Planning
Probate proceedings
Estate Planning
Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business
IRS audit representation
Tax
Tax lien and levy defense
Tax
Offer in compromise
Tax
Business tax planning
Tax

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact John M. Cornish directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find John M. Cornish Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Boston commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like John M. Cornish.

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If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with John M. Cornish directly.

John M. Cornish's Practice Areas & Specializations

Education & Law School Background

LL.M. Georgetown
Boston University School of Law
- 1977
A.B.
Harvard University
- 1969

Awards & Professional Honors

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Massachusetts
Admitted: 1973

Client Reviews & Ratings — John M. Cornish

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