Portrait of John Orrick

John Orrick

Senior Counsel

John 'Jack' Orrick practices in Business Transactions and focuses on general corporate matters, joint venture formations, mergers and acquisitions and business and tax planning, as well as representing clients in securitized equity and debt financings.

Clients turn to Jack because of his business sense and collaborative philosophy, which he uses to negotiate transactions strategically and close deals. His diverse and extensive transaction experience gives him a broad view of overall business operations, allowing him to advise clients in a variety of industries, including, but not limited to, real estate. Jack’s clients include property owners, managers, investors, owners of closely-held businesses, nonprofits and associations, financial institutions and providers of professional services.

He provides counsel on a wide scope of commercial transactions, including business formations, sales of business entities, compliance with federal and state securities laws, preparation of business agreements, review of financing agreements, preparation of confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and general business and tax advice tailored to the specifics of his clients’ business objectives. He also works with nonprofit organizations on compliance with federal and state income tax laws. Jack has represented numerous clients in public and private securities offerings and municipal bond offerings. He counsels clients on state and local economic development packages, including financial incentives, PILOT agreements and tax credit and incentive programs. He has represented clients in the formation of opportunity zone funds and the acquisition of opportunity zone businesses. He assists with the formation of special taxing districts – including tax-increment financing districts, to support infrastructure for real estate projects.  His experience also includes preparing legislation and lobbying on behalf of clients before the Maryland General Assembly.

As a respected leader in the business transactions field, Jack has served on the boards of trade associations of building industry members and has held various leadership positions in the Maryland State Bar Association. He has published numerous articles and lectured on topics related to deal-structuring and financing issues. Jack leverages his visibility in the industry to grow and share his knowledge, expand his professional network, and help people in his community who normally lack access to legal representation.

    Education

    • George Washington University (J.D.)
    • George Washington University (LL.M.)
    • Trinity College (B.A.)

    State Bar Admissions

    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland

    Professional Affiliations

    • American Bar Association
      • Sections on Business Law and Taxation; Trusts and Estate Law
      • Committee on Unincorporated Business Committee
    • Maryland State Bar Association
      • Member, Board of Governors, 2014-2016
      • Committee on Budget and Finance 2016-2020
      • Committee on Unincorporated Business Associations-Drafting Committee for Revisions to Maryland Limited Liability Company Act, 2010-2013; 2021-present
      • MSBA Bylaw Revision Committee, 2022-2023
      • Continuing Legal Education Committee, 2011-2021
      • Member, Board of Governors, 2010-2012
      • Business Law Section Council, Chair 2009-2010
      • Business Law Section Council, 2002 - present
    • Lieutenant Governor's Technology Law Task Force, 2001 - 2002
    • Housing Unlimited, Inc., Advisory Board and General Counsel
    • Home Builders Association of Maryland
      • Board Member (Ex-Officio), 2000-2014
      • Executive Committee, 2007-2009
    • Home Builders Care Foundation
      • Board Member, 2000-2014
      • Secretary, 2007 - 2014
    • Maryland Building Industry Association
      • Life Director, 2021 - present
      • Board Member (Ex-Officio), 2014-2021
      • Legal Counsel, 2014 - 2021
    • Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington
      • Legal Counsel 2014 - Present
      • President 2012-2014
      • Board Member 2011-2016

    Recognitions

    • James J. Hanks Lifetime Achievement Award, given annually by the Maryland State Bar Association (Business Law section) to a retired or practicing attorney whose lifetime achievements have contributed to the practice of business law, 2021
    • Awarded Milton E. Kettler Award for lifetime participation, contribution and service to the building industry by Maryland Building Industry Association, 2019
    • Named a “Top Attorney” by Bethesda magazine, 2019
    • Selected as a Maryland Business/Corporate Super Lawyer for 2018 by Super Lawyers
    • Named The Best Lawyers in America® for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships, Corporate Law (2016-2027)
    • Directors Community Service Award – Home Builders Care Foundation, 2014
    • Selected as a Maryland Super Lawyer for 2012-2025 by Super Lawyers
    • Selected as a Washington, D.C. Super Lawyer for 2012-2022 by Super Lawyers
    • Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated 5.0 out of 5.0; highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards
    • Life Fellow, Maryland Bar Foundation
    • Life Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Biography
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  • Featured Works

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    AIA Tri-State Conference
    Princeton will serve as the backdrop for three days of connection, learning, and design leadership. From keynotes to tours to the Tri-State Design Awards, this year’s conference is designed to go far beyond education sessions. Kick off the week with pre-conference intensives and individual state component Design Award celebrations, followed by three days of education, inspiration, networking, and design excellence at the 2026 AIA Tri-State Conference—featuring pre-conference intensives, three keynote speakers, 25 education sessions, curated tours, an expo, spec academies, and the AIA Tri-State Design Awards—bringing together architects and design professionals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to connect, learn, and celebrate the best of the profession. G2. Designing Secure Practices: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Contractual Provisions, and Insurance Risks for Architects (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) Architects and design professionals increasingly rely on cloud platforms, BIM software, and digital tools to manage sensitive data, creating cybersecurity and privacy risks. A single incident can trigger liability claims, regulatory obligations, reputational harm, and insurance challenges. Yet many firms underestimate how contracts, insurance, and internal practices intersect during a breach. This program offers legal and insurance perspectives on cyber risk in architecture, examining liability exposure, risky contract provisions, and mitigation strategies. A cyber insurance expert will explain policy responses, coverage gaps, coordination with professional liability, and best practices for aligning insurance with contractual risk and protecting firms from evolving cyber threats. Learning Objectives: Identify key cybersecurity and data privacy risks faced by architecture firms and explain how these risks can impact professional liability and project outcomes. Analyze common contractual provisions to determine which clauses may increase exposure to cyber incidents and propose strategies to mitigate these risks. Evaluate the scope and limitations of cyber insurance policies, including coordination with professional liability coverage, to determine how a policy would respond in a breach scenario. Develop actionable risk management strategies by integrating legal, contractual, and insurance considerations to protect sensitive client and project data.
  • Events
    The 2026 Economic, Tax, and Accounting Updates
    We are looking forward to the Mid-Atlantic CFO Roundtable's next event on November 13, 2026. This is a program with topics built for Finance Executives. We are extremely fortunate to have three excellent speakers: Dr. Daraius Irani, Vice President of Business and Public Engagement at Towson University; Mike Stankus, Tax Office Managing Principal at BDO; and Daniel Wahlberg, Managing Partner of Acclare Solutions. The economy is rapidly changing with various factors driving it. The November 3rd midterm elections may also have an impact. Our three expert presenters will discuss the ramifications of the election, and the current year updates to GAAP financial reporting and Federal and State income taxes. Please join us for what will surely be an informative and timely discussion. Meet Our Speakers: Daraius Irani, Ph.D. • Towson University Vice President, Business & Public Engagement Dr. Daraius Irani serves as Vice President of Business and Public Engagement at Towson University as well as the chief economist for the Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI) at Towson University, a policy group providing economic, fiscal impact, and policy analysis to public and private entities.  Dr. Irani is often called upon to provide economic presentations to organizations across Maryland. He has appeared on numerous television programs and in local and regional print media. Dr. Irani holds a Ph.D. in economics from University of California, Santa Barbara. Dan Wahlberg • Acclare Solutions Managing Partner With over 28 years of experience, Dan Wahlberg is a recognized leader in audit and assurance for the Mid-Atlantic’s middle market business community. As a licensed CPA in Maryland and Virginia, Dan has led assurance practices at top regional firms, including serving as Baltimore Audit Managing Partner and Assurance Practice Leader at BDO USA in Baltimore and as Partner and member of the Management Committee at Hertzbach & Company P.A which merged into BDO in 2020. His expertise centers on delivering clarity, strategic guidance, and proactive solutions to middle-market businesses across Baltimore and beyond. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to begin a new CPA firm this year with four other CPAs serving the business community. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rutgers University and began his career at PWC in New York. He is also deeply engaged in the community, previously serving as President of ACG Maryland and current Board member and as Audit Committee Member for The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.  Mike Stankus • BDO USA LLP Tax Office Managing Principal Mike Stankus is the Tax Office Managing Principal for the firm’s Baltimore office. He has more than 16 years of experience providing tax planning and preparation and management advisory services for his clients. Mike focuses on advising privately held businesses and their owners on effective growth and tax strategies. He also performs various engagements for mergers and acquisitions and complex cost accounting projects and projections. In addition, he represents various government contracting clients before the DCAA and assists with FAR compliance. Mike’s areas of concentration include working with government contractors, professional service firms, construction companies, and homebuilders.