Previous Law Firm Name

• LaChance & Whatley, September 1, 1994

Law Firm Overview

John H. LaChance, Esquire is an experienced criminal trial lawyer in Framingham, Massachusetts who restricts his practice to the representation of individuals who have either been accused of crimes or are under investigation for suspected criminal activity. Attorney LaChance is a criminal trial and criminal defense attorney serving clients throughout Massachusetts with a focus on Boston Metro West to include Framingham, Natick, Newton, Wellesley, and Sudbury Massachusetts.

John H. LaChance, Trial Lawyer, has represented many high-profile clients over the past 30 years.  He has been interviewed on primetime TV programs such as Dateline, Court TV, and 48 Hours.  Mr. LaChance represents clients involved in complex litigation at both the state and federal levels. As a former assistant U.S. Attorney, he is highly proficient at investigating all angles of a case, and he is skilled at deducing the direction federal investigators are likely to take a case. He is familiar with the use of forensic evidence, wire-tapping, electronic interception, and other technologies in the defense of his clients.

Attorney LaChance restricts his practice to the representation of individuals who have either been accused of crimes or for suspected criminal activities. Mr. LaChance has been a criminal trial lawyer for over 30 years and has tried hundreds of criminal jury cases in both the Federal and State courts during that time. Mr. LaChance is a former federal prosecutor and past president of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In 1991 he was presented with the Duggan Award for zealous advocacy and outstanding legal services.

Areas of Practice

• Assault & Battery -- Plaintiff
• Criminal Law
• DUI/DWI
• White Collar Crimes
• Violent Crimes
• Drug Trafficking
• Homicide
• Domestic Violence
• Embezzlement
• Fraud
• Blackmail
• Drugs
• Motor Vehicle Homicide
• Forensic Evidence
• Federal Crimes

Honors and Awards

• Edw. G. Duggan Private Counsel Award for Zealous Advocacy and Outstanding Legal Services to the Poor, Presented by Committee for Public Counsel Services, 1991
• Public Service Commendation, United States Coast Guard (for Outstanding Services Prosecuting Drug Interdiction on the High Seas Matters), 1982

Published Works

• Discovery Practice, Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts (MCLE), 1999
• Investigation & Discovery Requests, Trying Sex Cases in Massachusetts (MCLE), 1997

Classes and Seminars

• Cross Exam of a Criminalist, Massachusetts CLE, 2000
• Criminal Law Year-end Review, Massachusetts CLE, 1995 - 1999

Representative Cases

• United States v. Ricciardelli, 998 Federal 2nd p. 8 (1st Circuit 1993)
• Commonwealth v. Leblanc, 407 Mass 70 (Supreme Judicial Court of Mass. 1990)

West Practice Categories

Criminal Law, Criminal Fraud, DUI/DWI, Drug Violations, Federal, Felonies, Juvenile Crimes, Misdemeanor, Parole & Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Traffic Violations, Victims' Rights, White Collar Crimes, Domestic Violence & Neglect, Litigation & Appeals, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff, Assault & Battery -- Plaintiff