About Mr. John Schuyler
John Schuyler Keating studied political science at Brown University, earning a B.A. in 1980. He stayed in New England for law school and received his J.D. from Suffolk University in 1989. Those years set the course for a career that has combined private practice with local public service.
Keating is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He has handled matters in both state and federal forums, and his knowledge of procedural and appellate practice has been a consistent part of his work since joining the bar.
In 2008 he took the lead role at the Law Offices of John S. Keating, serving as principal. In that capacity he has managed the office, overseen client matters, and directed litigation strategy when cases moved beyond settlement discussions. The title reflects long-term ownership and responsibility for the firm’s operations and case handling.
Before and during his private practice years, Keating engaged in local government roles in Marshfield. He served on the Marshfield Planning Board from 1998 to 2002 and was chairman during part of that tenure. In 2001 he also held a seat on the Marshfield Community Preservation Committee. Those postings put him in the middle of municipal debates over land use, development and preservation.
Keating’s municipal experience shows in how he approaches cases touching on local regulations and community concerns. He draws on his time on planning and preservation bodies when advising clients about local permitting, zoning questions and the practical realities of working with town boards. The perspective of having been a local official informs his communications with municipal staff and elected members.
Colleagues and clients describe Keating as methodical in preparing cases and steady under pressure. He has combined courtroom practice with transactional work and client counseling, depending on what a matter required. His practice has involved litigation strategy as well as the negotiation and drafting that often precede court proceedings.
As principal of his eponymous firm, Keating continues to represent clients in Massachusetts and before the First Circuit. He maintains an active practice that draws on both his courtroom experience and his years of municipal service, particularly in matters involving local government and land-use issues.
