John Britton, 54, was elected to serve his first term as a Rockville Councilmember in November 2007.  John hails from the Garden State (that’s right – New Jersey).  He grew up in the state’s capital (Trenton Makes, the World Takes!) under the careful tutelage of women dressed in black and white.  He attended Rider College (now Rider University) in Lawrenceville, N.J., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Studies.  In 1977, he enrolled in the George Washington University School of Public and International Affairs, earning a Master of Arts degree in International and Russian Studies.

John’s commitment to civic education and community involvement runs deep.  Shortly after earning his Masters degree, John worked for the Close Up Foundation, a civic education program for high school students, as a program instructor and student counselor.  (He currently represents the Foundation in all legal matters as its General Counsel).  In 1981, John traveled abroad where he worked in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ relief programs in Thailand and Sudan, at one point managing the entire emergency food relief program for eastern Sudan, an area the size of the northeastern United States but with only one major highway.  He returned to the States in 1986 to enroll in the law program at the National Law Center, George Washington University, where he received his Juris Doctor, with honors, in 1989.

John met his wife, Katherine Treiman, in Khartoum Sudan.  From there, they worked their way to Rockville and approximately nine years ago moved into the West End neighborhood with their three children, all of whom are attending Montgomery County public schools.  John and Katherine found Rockville to be a great place to raise their children and to contribute to and be involved in local community activities.  Shortly after his arrival in Rockville, John became a member of the Cultural Arts Commission, on which he served for two years.  John also was an integral member of the task force that formulated a policy, ultimately adopted by the then Mayor and Council, for a requirement for public art in private development.  After his stint on the Cultural Arts Commission and for the five years prior to his election to the City Council, John served as a Commissioner on the Planning Commission with one year as its Chair.  John’s desire for elected office is indicative of his commitment to the concept of community involvement.  He believes public service is an important way to contribute to the community and provide an example of civic service and volunteerism for our children.

John is a practicing attorney with a focus on environmental and land use issues.  He represents public interest organizations, community groups and municipalities, such as Environment Maryland and the City of Alexandria, Virginia.  He also is the managing partner of the Washington, D.C. office of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, a storied and well-respected Philadelphia-based litigation firm.

John intends to bring to Rockville his environmental expertise and experience by working toward increasing environmentally sustainable, i.e., “green”, development.  On his agenda as a Councilmember, John also will strive to enhance a more walkable Rockville by addressing pedestrian safety concerns, thereby improving the daily environment and quality of life for all of Rockville’s citizens. 

Other activities and interests include: