Litigation: General Commercial: New Hampshire

THE FIRM This outstanding litigation outfit is praised for its experience covering a multitude of legal areas and industry sectors. The team advises on a number of specialized issues including computer software antitrust and insurance coverage disputes, as well as contentious matters concerning Superfunds and manufactured gas plant remediation. The group is also sought after to advise on securities arbitration as well as data privacy and security breaches. In addition, it maintains a strong mediation and arbitration practice.

Sources say: "McLane is a premier firm in the state."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bruce Felmly is considered "one of the best lawyers in the state." His has over four decades' worth of legal experience and his expertise ranges from employment, patent and trade secret matters to insurance recovery and construction issues.

Wilbur Glahn specializes in corporate governance and shareholder litigation, as well as administrative and government matters including tax, defamation and civil rights. Peers regard him as "one of the best litigators in the state."

David Wolowitz has particular experience in the education sector, especially representing independent schools. He has a significant trial practice in federal, superior and probate courts in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Scott Harris is an experienced litigator and mediator who focuses on representing executives and companies in commercial disputes. He handles tax, trade secret and contract claims, as well as professional malpractice and personal injury matters.

Jack Middleton has more than 50 years of trial experience and remains "one of the preeminent" lawyers of the New Hampshire Bar.

THE FIRM This fine group is well versed in handling disputes across a number of sectors, including healthcare, financial services and transport. It also remains a popular choice in class action litigation. Clients appreciate that they always have access to large number of specialists at this firm, not only from the Manchester practice but also from other offices nationwide. Its clients include Dartmouth, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic, L'Oréal, Amalgamated Bank and JPMorgan Chase.

Sources say: "I think of them as a law firm that has a wealth of legal resources and a pool of people who are extremely knowledgeable."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gordon MacDonald is "an excellent litigator - not only is his writing top-notch, and his arguments well researched and well articulated, but he can also adapt his approach to particular clients and their needs," a client enthuses. In addition to representing private and publicly traded companies and financial institutions, he is also an excellent choice of counsel for religious and nonprofit organizations.

Kevin Fitzgerald distinguishes himself with "his exemplary technical skills, professionalism and attention to detail." He defends clients in matters including corporate fiduciary duty, securities enforcement, and employment law claims involving corporate executives. He is also well versed in insurance coverage disputes. 

David Vicinanzo is described as "an excellent attorney" and "thoughtful, bright and well respected." With several years of experience as federal prosecutor, his practice focuses primarily on government investigations and representing organizations and individuals in civil and criminal matters.

Scott O'Connell is another well-regarded attorney at the firm and is singled out for "his ability to see the bright light and defuse tensions." He recently represented Citibank in an action against a government entity deriving from a failed municipal finance transaction.

THE FIRM As one of the oldest practices in the state, this full-service firm has over 60 years of experience in litigation and offers support across a wide spectrum of matters. The team has expertise in healthcare, telecommunications, construction, workers' compensation and IP cases. Clients appreciate the attorneys' commercial awareness and skill in applying law to complex matters.

Sources say: "The attorneys are very good at providing realistic evaluations and strategy. I never feel neglected or forgotten about."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Daniel Will demonstrates "a very good balance of great personality and business skills, which quickly earns him clients' confidence." His wide-ranging experience covers ERISA litigation as well as disputes arising from charitable property tax exemption and securities. 

George Moore handles business and securities litigation, as well as business governance disputes, professional liability and IP matters.

The "hard-working" Elaine Michaud is a medical malpractice specialist, acting on behalf of hospitals, healthcare professionals, and rehabilitation and care facilities.

Ovide Lamontagne comes particularly recommended by market sources for his expertise in government-related and constitutional issues. In addition, he is known for his work in healthcare, construction law and charitable trust litigation. His clients include nonprofits and religious organizations.

THE FIRM This well-established team represents government and educational institutions, businesses and individuals in a range of contentious matters. It also has a growing healthcare and white-collar practice. In the past year it successfully defended Pan Am Railways in relation to claims alleging environmental harm to a property.

Sources say: "It's a regional firm with a high level of sophistication."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Great practitioner" Michael Connolly specializes in complex business litigation and white-collar criminal defense, with a particular concentration on SEC and other governmental investigations.

Christopher Carter focuses on commercial litigation and criminal defense and often represents corporate and individual clients in investigations into compliance of federal healthcare fraud regulations. He played a significant role in the aforementioned matter for Pan Am Railways.

THE FIRM The firm has developed substantial experience in business, real estate, product liability and toxic tort disputes. It also handles professional liability matters, with a particular focus on legal and accounting malpractice. Its clients include retail chains, financial institutions and construction companies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Mosseau is "very thorough and incredibly savvy on his feet in the courtroom." He has experience advising healthcare and education providers.

THE FIRM This well-respected firm covers a wide range of litigation from commercial and employment to civil and professional liability defense. The attorneys represent both plaintiffs and defendants at trial and appeal level in New Hampshire. The clientele includes businesses in healthcare, media, retail, construction and financial services. 

Sources say: "The firm has a core team of seasoned litigators who enjoy a very good reputation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Very strong litigator" William Chapman concentrates on media law and charitable tax exemptions. He has significant experience defending media clients in defamation and First Amendment cases.

"Smart and capable" James Bassett impresses clients with his preparation and courtroom performance. He has significant trial and appellate experience and also represents clients in mediation and arbitration.

THE FIRM This team provides advice on all facets of commercial litigation and also offers alternative dispute resolution services. Its client base includes educational institutions, small and large businesses, property owners, hospitals and government organizations. In the past year the team has successfully defended an asbestos removal company in high-value wage claims before the DOL and the New Hampshire Superior Court.

Sources say: "They are very experienced, smart lawyers who litigate well and are well regarded by the judges in New Hampshire."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Harvell enjoys an excellent reputation among his peers. He advises clients on stockholder and partnership disputes and also has substantial experience in state tax litigation and IP.

"Seasoned attorney" James Shirley focuses on commercial disputes, professional negligence and product liability litigation. He is also well versed in toxic torts and contentious insurance matters.

Christopher Cole handles a wide variety of IP and employment-related cases with a particular focus on trade secrets and trademark infringement matters. "He is down to earth, very collegial and has an outstanding ability to understand complex issues and communicate them simply," an impressed client notes.

Peter Cowan is well regarded for "his business litigation experience and client-focused approach." He often acts for contractors and owners in construction disputes as well as employers and employees in trade secret, noncompetition and confidentiality cases.

THE FIRM The team represents clients in state and federal courts as well as before administrative agencies in a range of litigation matters. It is also well equipped to handle alternative dispute resolution. Sources particularly note the firm's expertise in the area of medical malpractice. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "highly regarded" Michael Lehman has over three decades' worth of experience in healthcare and medical malpractice defense. His clients include healthcare organizations, large hospitals, medical centers and individual physicians.

Edward Kaplan is well respected for his broad employment expertise. His client base is varied and ranges from big corporations and smaller businesses to school districts, universities and hospitals.

THE FIRM This firm is based in Maine and New Hampshire and provides advice on a wide spectrum of commercial litigation matters including takeover actions, unfair competition and construction disputes. It also advises on personal injury, criminal and constitutional matters. Its clients include entities in the healthcare, financial services and education sectors.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andru Volinsky is described as "a good litigator and a fearsome adversary." He represents business clients and individuals at trial and appellate level as well as before administrative agencies and in arbitrations.

The highly regarded Emily Gray Rice's expertise covers professional liability, employment, commercial and media law matters. She has 25 years of experience representing clients in various courts across New Hampshire.

THE FIRM This compact team represents both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts. It has experience in a variety of business litigation cases including corporate governance and partnership disputes, trade secret claims and lender liability cases. It also assists clients in contentious software and technology-related matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Arnold Rosenblatt is "a bright and well-respected litigation strategist." His broad expertise covers IP, employment, professional liability and contract-related disputes.

THE FIRM This boutique's fortes are personal injury, criminal defense and family law matters. It also provides assistance in civil and commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers regard the "very well-respected" Mary Elizabeth Tenn as "a pleasure to work with" and single out her "great courtroom presence." She is sought after for her expertise in domestic relations matters, in addition to her strengths in commercial and IP litigation.

John Tenn is admitted in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and the US Supreme Court. He specializes in advising clients on professional negligence and also excels in personal injury and criminal defense cases.

James Tenn has a "very popular plaintiff litigation practice" and is noted for his work in personal injury cases. He also handles domestic relations matters and has significant experience advising on parenting disputes.

THE FIRM The firm's litigation team focuses mainly on insurance defense work. The attorneys also represent clients in state and federal courts on matters including probate, professional liability and business litigation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Russell Hilliard is "a big star of the insurance litigation arena in New Hampshire." He also advises businesses, municipalities and individual professionals on alternative dispute resolution and professional discipline.