John has retired from active practice and is now Counsel to Burchell MacDougall LLP.
Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, John Rafferty moved to Nova Scotia to attend Saint Mary’s University. It was there he earned his Bachelor of Arts, which he followed up with a year of graduate studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, before returning to SMU for his Bachelor of Education.
John spent a little over a year teaching math before deciding to pursue the law at Dalhousie University. He articled with Burchell MacDougall LLP’s Truro office, and joined the firm as an associate in 1977.
“Burchell MacDougall appealed to me because I wanted to get out of the city, but not too far. My friend John MacDougall, son of founding partner Lorne MacDougall, was working here and had great things to say about the firm.”
John was appointed Kings Counsel in 1995.
He has been involved with the Meals on Wheels program in Truro since its inception. He also enjoys gardening, playing duplicate bridge, and sailing a small boat.
Professional Qualifications & Education
Kings Counsel Appointment (1995)
Nova Scotia Bar Admission (1977)
Bachelor of Education - Saint Mary's University (1973)
Bachelor of Arts - Saint Mary's University (1971)
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) - Dalhousie University (1977)
Professional Associations & Membership in Community Organizations
Member, Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
Former Director and Past Chair, Nova Scotia Barristers' Liability Claims Fund
Former Director, Canadian Lawyers Insurance Association
Treasurer, East End Meals on Wheels
Past Secretary and Director, Colchester Community Workshops Foundation
