John P. McBlain

John P. McBlain, a lifelong resident of Aldan Borough, was elected to Delaware County Council in November 2011 and began his four-year term on County Council in January 2012. Mr. McBlain comes to County Council with a strong legal background, having served as County Solicitor for over eight years prior to his election. He was appointed as the Solicitor of Delaware County in 2003, with a Delaware County Daily Times headline at the time calling McBlain Delaware County’s “Top Lawyer.” In his role as Solicitor, he oversaw the legal affairs of County government and worked on a daily basis with the Delaware County Council, developing County policy. He also served for a time as guardian ad litem, an advocate for abused and neglected children involved with the County Children and Youth Services. Councilman McBlain is a graduate of St. Joe’s Collingdale grade school and Monsignor Bonner High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Villanova University, majoring in Political Science. Following college, he worked for the United State Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. McBlain attended law school at the Widener University School of Law in Delaware and graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree. After graduating law school, Mr. McBlain began practicing as an attorney in Delaware County. He joined the firm of Swartz Campbell in 1996 and has since practiced in the areas of civil litigation and municipal government law. Mr. McBlain helped found the firm’s municipal law unit and represents various municipalities, zoning boards, government authorities and nonprofit corporations. Mr. McBlain’s representation of the County’s Redevelopment Authority and Economic Development Oversight Board placed him in a position where he negotiated the agreements that landed the largest economic development projects in Delaware County. He negotiated the agreements that brought Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack to the City of Chester and led the negotiations that brought the Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer Team and PPL Park to Delaware County. Mr. McBlain’s interest in government began at a young age when he was appointed to the Aldan Borough Council at age 24. He subsequently was elected to four terms on the Borough Council.