Massachusetts State Capitol Building, completed in 1798.

Attorneys

Jon N. Bonsall 
Boston, Massachusetts
Partner

phone (617) 951-1400
fax (617) 951-0586
(617) 951-1354
email Email Me

Jon N. Bonsall is a partner in Keegan Werlin's governmental and legislative relations practice.  Mr. Bonsall's practice concentration is in the areas of governmental relations, legislative advocacy, and regulatory and public utility law.  A registered lobbyist in the Commonwealth for over twenty years, Mr. Bonsall has represented clients before the Massachusetts Legislature and the Executive Branch on a broad range of issues including taxes, environmental regulation, utility restructuring, energy policy, procurement and finance.  In addition, he has performed regulatory and permitting due diligence reviews for asset acquisitions of nuclear, oil and coal-fired electric generating facilities. 

Mr. Bonsall has also represented a significant number of energy project developers at all levels of government local, state and federal.  These projects have included natural gas- and coal-fired electric generating facilities, electric transmission lines, and interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.  During the course of these projects, Mr. Bonsall has structured and implemented a government relations strategy that is designed to support a project's overall permitting efforts.  The implementation of that strategy has encompassed representation before such entities as the Massachusetts Legislature, state regulatory bodies, the Congressional delegation, municipal elected bodies and local Conservation Commissions. 
 
Mr. Bonsall was elected Chair of the State Capital Global Law Firm Group (the State Capital Group) for the 2005-2006 term.  An association of approximately 130 independent law firms, State Capital Group members are located in all 50 U.S. state capitals and in business markets and financial centers around the world Europe, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa and the Middle East.  The legal services provided by member firms range from standard business issues to complex transactions.  Member firm attorneys work with leading and growing companies in every industry from software and pharmaceuticals to energy and transportation.  The State Capital Group provides an effective resource for identifying local counsel worldwide.  Keegan Werlin is the exclusive Massachusetts member of the State Capital Group.
 
Before joining the firm in 1989, Mr. Bonsall served as State Director-Government Relations for AT&T.  Previously, he served as Chairman of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.  Mr. Bonsall also worked for the House Leadership in the Massachusetts Legislature for over nine years prior to his term at the Department.  Prior to receiving his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School, Mr. Bonsall completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Holy Cross College.

Mr. Bonsall is admitted to practice before the bars of Massachusetts and the United States District Court.

Areas of Practice:
Government Relations & Lobbying
Public Utilities Regulation
Bar Admissions:
Massachusetts, 1973
U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1974
Education:
Boston College Law School, Boston, Massachusetts, 1973
J.D.


Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1970
B.A., Bachelor of Arts
Major:  History


Published Works:
50 State Handbook: Lobbying, PAC's and Campaign Finance, 1994-1999, West Publishing Company


Classes/Seminars Taught:
Speaker, energy, electric industry restructuring and gas unbundling, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, 1994 - Present


Honors and Awards:
Who's Who in American Law, 4th and 6th editions


Best Lawyers in America


Professional Associations and Memberships:
Associated Industries of MA, 1991 - Present
Chairman, Energy Committee


Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, 1987 - 1993
Member, Board of Directors


New England Sports Museum, 1979 - Present
Member, Board of Directors


Past Employment Positions:
AT&T, State Director-Government Relations, 1983 - 1989


Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, Chairman, 1981 - 1983


Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, Commissioner, 1979 - 1981


Massachusetts House of Representatives, Legal Counsel, 1973 - 1979


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265 Franklin Street Boston, MA 02110-3113 Phone: (617) 951-1400 Fax: (617) 951-1354 E-Mail Us

Keegan Werlin LLP is the Massachusetts representative to the State Capital Global Law Firm Group. The State Capital Global Law Firm Group consists of one law firm located in provincial and other capitals around the globe. The primary purpose of the Group is to provide an organized and efficient system and a central source for the collection and dissemination of information and techniques about the practice of law in their common areas of practice.