John J. Tenn

James Q. Shirley is a senior commercial litigator at Sheehan Phinney in Manchester, New Hampshire whose practice focuses on general commercial litigation, insurance disputes, and professional liability. Shirley represents clients in state and federal civil disputes involving contracts, insurance, professional liability, real estate, and other business issues. The practice includes commercial litigation, insurance-coverage disputes, professional-liability defense, contract litigation, real estate disputes, trials, and appeals. Shirley helps businesses, public bodies, organizations, and individuals manage complex disputes through trial, appeal, and strategic counseling.

Shirley earned a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law and entered New Hampshire practice in 1970. His legal education preceded a long litigation career involving state and federal courts, complex civil disputes, and appellate advocacy. This background supports careful legal analysis, clear communication, and practical judgment in matters involving general commercial litigation, insurance disputes, and professional liability.

Shirley has experience with trying and advising on professional-liability, breach-of-contract, insurance, real estate, and other commercial disputes and appearing in significant appellate matters. Shirley has also served as general counsel to his firm and has represented a wide range of private and public clients. Across these matters, the work requires careful preparation and attention to the legal, factual, and practical issues that affect the client’s position.

James Q. Shirley is recognized for a longstanding New Hampshire commercial-litigation practice. He has received continued recognition in general commercial litigation and has served the firm in a general-counsel role. The practice combines deep trial experience with practical analysis of complex business disputes. This approach helps clients understand available options, evaluate risk, and move important matters forward with informed legal guidance.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Tenn And Tenn, PA
• Member, New Hampshire Bar Association
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Board Member, Campaign for Legal Services
• Former Board Member, Manchester School District Law Enforcement Appreciation Committee
• Judge, Harvard Law School First-Year Moot Court Program
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• Member, Catholic Lawyer’s Guild of New Hampshire
• Member, Daniel Webster American Inn of Court
• Member, Manchester Bar Association
• Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Member, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Member, New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Rule 170 Mediator, NH Superior Court
• Member, Thurgood Marshall American Inn of Court
• Member, DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA)
• Volunteer, Lawyer In Every School Program
• Volunteer, New Hampshire Law Line
• Former Commissioner, Manchester Police Commission
• Former Director, Manchester Consolidated Services, Inc.
• Board Member, Manchester Crime Line
• Member, National College DUI Defense
• Member, Phi Alpha Delta
• Graduate, Manchester Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program

Licensed State

• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts

Education

• Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD) in Doctor of Jurisprudence
• Boston University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges