John E. Williams

John E. Williams (Jay) is a Massachusetts licensed attorney with a specialty in real estate and development matters.  He has been a partner with the firm, formerly Sullivan, Williams & Quintin, since its inception in 1988.  Under his direction, the firm, now known as Williams, Quintin & O’Leary, has represented hundreds of banks and lending institutions with regard to real estate closings and title matters.

Jay is certified to practice in all Massachusetts State Courts, US Bankruptcy Court, Federal District Court and the Federal Appeals Court.  Prior to becoming an attorney, he was a Massachusetts educator, beginning his career as a middle school teacher in New Bedford, later becoming the city’s truant officer.  Jay also spent many years as the head life guard at Horseneck Beach, establishing countless friendships and relationships with fellow employees, many of which continue to this date.  The staff is constantly reminded about how many lives Jay has touched, as many former students and beach employees continue to seek Jay’s advice.

Living in Dartmouth with his wife, Valerie, Jay has had the opportunity to serve on several Boards of Directors and with many local associations.  As a member of the Dartmouth Youth Activities Association, he served as a coach for youth soccer, basketball, and baseball teams, and also coached for a Pop Warner football team.  He was formerly a member of the Town of Dartmouth’s Recreation Commission.  Since 1995, Jay has had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater New Bedford Boys and Girls Club.  In 2010, Jay received the prestigious Chadwick Public Service Award for his many years of outstanding community service to our entire region.

As a licensed real estate broker and a real estate developer, Jay has been actively involved with the development, construction and management of numerous projects for the past 25 years, including, but not limited to, the Lincoln Park property in Dartmouth, the Howland Place office building in New Bedford, and the former Goodyear site also in New Bedford.

Jay is a graduate of Holy Family High School, and the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, formerly Southeastern Massachusetts University, where he received a BA in history, and is a 1988 graduate of New England School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree.  He is a member of the New Bedford Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Real Estate Bar Association (REBA). 

Jay is always busy with his building and home improvement projects, and working out in his weight room, but his greatest pleasure is spending time with his five children and his seven (!!) grandchildren.