John Refermat is an experienced trial lawyer with an AV (Preeminent) rating from Martindale Hubbell.  His practice includes complex civil and commercial litigation, real property tax certiorari/condemnation/eminent domain, zoning and municipal/land use litigation, environmental matters, securities arbitration and construction litigation. An experienced appellate advocate, John has successfully prepared and argued appeals before various departments of the New York State Appellate Division and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 

John’s litigation and strategic counseling practice includes a wide variety of shareholder/partner/limited liability entity disputes, contested dissolutions, trademark, licensing, unfair competition, warranty and Uniform Commercial Code issues, and restrictive covenants/non-compete/solicitation agreements; he also has experience with international trade/commerce. John has an expansive practice representing property owners, school districts and municipalities in a wide range of real property assessment matters, including energy generation and emissions credits, and issues involving tax exemptions and unique properties.  John handles numerous diverse matters in federal and state court, and before the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). He also has experience with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). 

John is a member of the Monoe County Bar Association and former member of its Litigation Council.  In 2004, John received the Special Service Award from the United States District Court for the Western District of New York.

At various points during the last twenty-five years, John has volunteered for a number of charitable, community and civic organizations, including the George Eastman Legacy Committee, the Eastman House Council, the Rochester-Monroe County Youth Bureau, and Birthright.  John is a former Director of the Polish Heritage Society of Rochester, and is currently a member of its Finance Committee.  He previously served as Treasurer of the Monroe County Republican Committee, Counsel to the Broome County Republican Committee, and as Special Counsel to a New York State Senator.  John is a former Trustee and Finance Council member of St. Thomas More Church, where he and his family have been parishioners for more than twenty years.

When not practicing law, John enjoys hiking, rafting and doing almost anything else in the Finger Lakes and Adirondacks with Stacy, his wife of twenty years, and their four children.    

Attorney Advertising

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.