John Maher has more than 30 years of legal experience in private practice, specializing in civil litigation, contracts, real estate, zoning and land use, corporate and business counseling and alternative dispute resolution.  

Prior to joining the Highlands Council staff, John led his own law firm for many years. He has appeared on behalf of a wide range of clients in courts throughout New Jersey, as well as before zoning and planning boards, municipal courts and administrative agencies.  John has litigated major civil cases in both state and federal court in New Jersey and New York working on his own and as a partner with Hardin & Maher, and earlier as an associate at Carter, Ledyard & Milburn in New York City.   John has served since 1987 as a member of the American Arbitration Association’s National Panel of Arbitrators, which is comprised of retired judges, leading attorneys and business persons.  John served for many years as the prosecutor for the City of Summit.

A life-long resident of Summit, John served for six years on the Common Council for the City of Summit, including two years as Council President. He also served as a member of the Summit Community Dispute Resolution Committee, Summit Planning Board and Summit Master Plan Update Committee.  He has served on the boards of the Reeves-Reed Arboretum and the Family Service Association of Summit.

John holds a BA in History from the University of Vermont, and a JD from Fordham University School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review. He is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey.  John is also a member of the Justice Stewart G. Pollock Environmental Inn of Court.