John L. Whitlock

Counsel

617.239.0284

More ways to contact John L. Whitlock

Overview
Representative Matters
Insights
Awards

John brings extensive experience in finance law, representing a diverse range of clients, including lenders, indenture trustees, and borrowers. His practice encompasses secured and unsecured financing transactions, syndicated bank loans, stand-by letters of credit, and both subordinated and senior bonds, including tax-exempt bonds.

John also advises on structured financing transactions, workouts, and bankruptcy matters. Additionally, he acts as a bankruptcy trustee and examiner, providing insights into the intricacies of bankruptcy law.

  • Represented public utility companies in public debt offerings and private debt placements for an aggregate of more than $3.2 billion of investment-grade debt and in syndicated bank credit facilities with aggregate commitments of more than $1.175 billion.
  • Represented creditors, trustees, creditors’ committees, and debtors in complex bankruptcy and workout matters, including asset transactions and debt restructuring.
  • Advised financial institutions on consumer compliance, including document design and loan procedures, ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations.
  • Acted as a bankruptcy trustee and examiner in various cases, providing critical oversight and ensuring compliance with the Bankruptcy Code.
  • Represented investors in the workout of a failed structured financing arrangement in the oil and gas services sector.
  • Represented a publicly held energy company in a $2.6 billion project financing for the development of two electric power plants.
  • Represented an indenture trustee in the bankruptcy proceedings of an energy and waste disposal company, managing foreclosures and sales of assets.
  • Represented a state in a municipal bankruptcy proceeding under Chapter 9.
  • The Best Lawyers in America®: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Overview

John brings extensive experience in finance law, representing a diverse range of clients, including lenders, indenture trustees, and borrowers. His practice encompasses secured and unsecured financing transactions, syndicated bank loans, stand-by letters of credit, and both subordinated and senior bonds, including tax-exempt bonds.

John also advises on structured financing transactions, workouts, and bankruptcy matters. Additionally, he acts as a bankruptcy trustee and examiner, providing insights into the intricacies of bankruptcy law.

Representation Matters
  • Represented public utility companies in public debt offerings and private debt placements for an aggregate of more than $3.2 billion of investment-grade debt and in syndicated bank credit facilities with aggregate commitments of more than $1.175 billion.
  • Represented creditors, trustees, creditors’ committees, and debtors in complex bankruptcy and workout matters, including asset transactions and debt restructuring.
  • Advised financial institutions on consumer compliance, including document design and loan procedures, ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations.
  • Acted as a bankruptcy trustee and examiner in various cases, providing critical oversight and ensuring compliance with the Bankruptcy Code.
  • Represented investors in the workout of a failed structured financing arrangement in the oil and gas services sector.
  • Represented a publicly held energy company in a $2.6 billion project financing for the development of two electric power plants.
  • Represented an indenture trustee in the bankruptcy proceedings of an energy and waste disposal company, managing foreclosures and sales of assets.
  • Represented a state in a municipal bankruptcy proceeding under Chapter 9.
Insights

Firm News

179 Locke Lord Lawyers Named to The Best Lawyers in ‎America® ‎‎2025 List‎, 45 Recognized as Ones to Watch

Firm News

‎173 Locke Lord Lawyers Named to The Best Lawyers in ‎America® ‎‎2024 List‎, 39 Recognized as Ones to Watch

Firm News

‎152 Locke Lord Lawyers Named to The Best Lawyers in ‎America® ‎‎2023 List‎, 38 Recognized as Ones to Watch

Articles + Publications

Opinions on Margin Regulations

See all insights from John L. Whitlock

Awards
  • The Best Lawyers in America®: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Top areas of focus

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Boston Bar Association

Bankruptcy Law Section

Former chair, Business Law Section

Former chair, Ethics Committee

  • Member, American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers
  • Chair, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Advisory Committee on Rules of Professional Conduct
  • Member, Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers
  • Trustee and secretary, Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum Foundation, Inc.
  • Former president and director, and former treasurer and director, The Boston Cecilia, Inc.
  • Chair, budget committee, Christ Lutheran Church, Natick, MA

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1973
  • Harvard College, B.A., cum laude, 1968

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • Author, “Opinions on Margin Regulations,” Business Law Today, February 17, 2022.
  • Author, “United States District Court Accepts the ‘Valid When Made’ Doctrine,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, May 3, 2021.
  • Author, “States Sue OCC, Challenging its ‘True Lender’ Rule,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, January 7, 2021.
  • Author, “OCC Issues Final Rule Addressing the ‘True Lender’ Problem,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, November 2, 2020.
  • Author, “FDIC Follows OCC and Clarifies ‘Valid When Made’ Doctrine,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, July 1, 2020.
  • Author, “OCC Issues Final Rule Clarifying the ‘Valid When Made’ Doctrine,” Locke Lord QuickStudy, June 4, 2020.