John R. Blake, Jr.

John R. Blake, Jr. is a partner in Shipman’s Boston office. His practice is focused on real estate and commercial lending, and he has experience guiding developers, lenders, landlords, and tenants through the complex legal landscape of real estate planning, finance, leasing, permitting, and land use. Whether acquiring commercial property, structuring financing, or addressing zoning and environmental issues, John brings transactional clarity and risk management to every matter.

He works with both borrowers and lenders, representing clients in structuring debt, negotiating loan documents, and managing enforcement of secured interests. John’s facility with lending issues allows clients to proceed with confidence in real estate developments, ground-up projects, adaptive reuse, and mill conversions. He also advises on commercial leasing and handles due diligence and title matters, which helps clients avoid downstream surprises.

Clients benefit from John’s dual perspective as both a lawyer and a real estate business partner. He anticipates operational, environmental, regulatory, and contractual obstacles, providing strategic counsel to mitigate those risks. His responsiveness, depth of real estate law knowledge, and track record of navigating complex transactions make him a go-to resource for sophisticated real estate and finance engagements throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.