(4/23/2020, Manchester, NH) – Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green has once again received the highest rankings in New Hampshire for 2020 by Chambers USA, a prestigious directory of the country’s top law firms. The firm is also ranked Band 1 (highest ranking) in the state for Corporate/Commercial (including Tax and Bankruptcy), Environment, Healthcare, Labor & Employment, and Real Estate (including Land Use).
In addition, 23 Sheehan Phinney attorneys were recognized as among the nation’s top lawyers in their respective fields:
Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Christopher Candon
Corporate/Commercial
Joseph DiBrigida
Michael Drooff
Colleen Lyons
Alan Reische
Environment
Thomas Burack
Robert Cheney
Robert Lucic
Healthcare
Jason Gregoire
Katherine Hanna
Intellectual Property
Peter Nieves
Douglas Verge
Labor & Employment
Elizabeth Bailey
David McGrath
James Reidy
Litigation: General Commercial
Christopher Cole
Peter Cowan
James Harris
James Shirley
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
Michael Ramsdell
Real Estate
Susan Manchester
Margaret Probish
Kenneth Viscarello
Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
Susan Manchester
Tax
Peter Beach
Chambers USA Comments
Bankruptcy
Christopher Candon is “very knowledgeable in his field,” states an interviewee. “He thinks through the law and facts really well, and how things will play out practically for the client.” He maintains a broad bankruptcy practice, which includes notable strength in creditors’ rights as well as wider transactional capabilities.
Corporate/Commercial
Distinguished for its high-quality offering for regional, state and national clients. Regularly handles complex matters across the full spectrum of business law, including midmarket M&A, bankruptcy, debt financing and fund formation matters. Calls upon wider resources in its tax, employment and intellectual property practices to offer a full service in corporate transactional work.
Strengths
“I think very highly of them,” confirms a client. “I respect them a lot, and think they are excellent lawyers.”
Peers note that “the lawyers there are very high quality – it’s a very good practice.”
“I think they are the best firm I’ve come across,” says another client. “I’m supremely happy with their performance.”
Work highlights Acted for Triple Peaks in the $80 million sale of multiple ski resorts to Vail Resorts, handling all aspects of the transaction.
Notable practitioners
Alan Reische is “widely acclaimed as among the best,” confirms a source, while another labels him “one of the deans of the corporate Bar, who is very widely respected and deservedly so.” He offers longstanding experience in providing expert corporate counsel on a range of transactions and compliance concerns.
Colleen Lyons is “a very smart advocate for her clients,” states an impressed source. She acts on a range of big-ticket transactions, including acquisitions arising from regulated industries such as telecommunications and energy. She is also noted for her corporate governance expertise.
Joseph DiBrigida is a go-to attorney for a broad roster of clients, advising on corporate governance concerns and high-value transactions. Interviewees describe him as “practical and goal-oriented,” noting that he “understands that business transactions should be a win-win situation.”
Michael Drooff maintains a broad corporate practice, which benefits from additional experience in matters such as tax and employment law. He is particularly noted for his strength in equity finance deals such as private placements. Interviewees commend his “sophisticated practice,” and note that he is “very thoughtful and professional in his demeanor.”
Environmental
Preeminent team of highly regarded practitioners with a wealth of expertise in appearing before energy and environmental agencies at both state and federal levels. Particularly noted for its deep knowledge of redevelopment, permitting and cleanup matters, with significant recent experience in Superfund issues. Offers additional strengths in areas such as air and water quality and shoreland protection.
Strengths
Commentators say: “It is one of the top firms in New Hampshire for environmental law.”
Work highlights Represented Bedford Lot Venture in contaminant and brownfield issues pertaining to the development of a hotel in the New Hampshire Millyard.
Notable practitioners
Robert Cheney is, according to market sources, “a detail-oriented and experienced environmental lawyer,” who handles a range of complex regulatory proceedings. He is particularly noted for his knowledge of environmental permitting.
Robert Lucic is a “good, smart lawyer, with a lot of experience in the environmental arena,” according to commentators. He is widely recognized for his Superfund work.
Thomas Burack is well known as a former Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. He advises clients on a host of environmental issues and has particular expertise appearing before state and federal regulatory agencies.
Healthcare
Highly respected practice, noted for its work with clients on a comprehensive spread of healthcare matters. Known for its representation of hospitals, healthcare facilities and nursing homes. Strong bench of regulatory experts with experience in fraud and abuse investigations, compliance and licensing concerns. Also noted for its strength in privacy mandates.
Strengths
“They are exceptional,” states a client. “They are lifelong learners, and don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach.”
Work highlights
Represented ClearChoiceMD, an operator of urgent care facilities, in regulatory proceedings in relation to New Hampshire’s health facility licensing statute.
Notable practitioners
The “talented” Jason Gregoire acts for a range of providers on complex regulatory mandates, including those involving HIPAA and Stark Law concerns. He is also noted for his handling of litigation such as reimbursement disputes. Clients praise his “excellent interpersonal skills,” stating that he “balances his ability to relate very well with his technical competencies.”
Katherine Hanna chairs the healthcare practice at her firm and comes recommended as an “exemplary attorney” with longstanding industry expertise. She offers expert counsel to hospitals and other providers facing a range of issues, including reimbursement concerns, staff credentialing and external investigations.
Intellectual Property
Peter Nieves is held in high regard by interviewees for his patent capabilities, which see him head the firm’s IP, technology and patent law groups. He advises on both prosecution and litigation involving a range of domestic and cross-border assets. He is also noted for his handling of trademark matters.
Douglas Verge is “a terrific lawyer,” who acts for clients in a wide range of complex IP matters, including those involving trademarks. His experience extends to data privacy issues and disputes involving copyrights, as well as transactional mandates. Clients commend his “tremendous legal experience and technical understanding.”
Labor & Employment
Recommended for its representation of clients across New England in labor and employment law, with considerable experience working in both an advisory capacity on compliance matters and in defending clients in the courtroom. Expertise covers areas such as employment discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful discharge, alongside strengths in compensation and employee benefits issues. Also well versed in immigration law issues.
Strengths
Clients describe this as a “forward-thinking firm that provides great service.”
“They’re responsive to our needs and are exceptional in terms of having a team of individuals who specialize in particular areas,” reports another source.
A further interviewee states that “the firm is large, meaning that it can handle all aspects of employment law.
Work highlights
Advised Easter Seals New Hampshire on a broad range of employment matters, including policy drafting, workplace training and administrative proceedings.
Notable practitioners
David McGrath draws on a strong background in civil litigation to advise on complex employment disputes. He is particularly noted for his noncompete expertise and strength as a mediator, which sees him described as “very practical and resilient, and able to get to the heart of issues.”
Elizabeth Bailey comes recommended for her “practicality and ability to relate to clients.” She maintains a strong labor law practice, while also offering broader strength across a range of employment disputes. Her broad client base includes municipal entities.
James Reidy is “extremely capable, experienced and knowledgeable in employment law,” according to one client, while another notes that he “does a stellar job.” He offers expert counsel to a broad employer client base, handling matters such as contract design and policy development as part of his practice.
Litigation
Highly respected commercial litigation practice in New Hampshire which also maintains a strong reputation for its skills in mediation and arbitration matters. Offers considerable expertise in a wide array of business litigation and appeals, with strengths in areas including patent disputes, intellectual property matters and antitrust issues. Acts for individuals and organizations in industries including education, insurance and construction.
Strengths
Sources characterize Sheehan Phinney as a “fantastic, practical firm that is able to build good rapport and understand our business strategy.”
Work highlights Represented Emseal Joint Systems in patent litigation in which it sought to enforce its patent right in fire-rated expansion joint systems.
Notable practitioners
Christopher Cole is a “very effective litigator,” states a peer, while clients note that he is “very good on strategy.” He offers extensive experience in trade secrets disputes, while also handling matters such as partnership and shareholder litigation.
J.P. Harris is held in high regard for his expertise in disputes involving data privacy and security concerns. His broad civil litigation practice also includes defamation claims, professional negligence actions and noncompete disputes, as well as providing expert counsel on e-Discovery actions.
James Shirley continues to advise on complex insurance disputes, as well as serving as general counsel to the firm. He has a longstanding civil disputes practice, which includes state and federal trials involving professional liability, breach of contract and real estate disputes, among others.
Michael Ramsdell maintains an impressive civil and white-collar criminal litigation practice, which includes advising on securities regulatory enforcement proceedings. He attracts a broad regional and international client base with his longstanding contentious experience.
Peter Cowan is well versed across wide-ranging civil disputes, offering particularly strength in acting for design professionals in construction litigation as well as handling shareholder actions and IP suits. “I have a very high opinion of him as a very smart and effective litigator,” confirms a source.
Real Estate
An acknowledged market leader in complex real estate mandates, with noted expertise in acquisitions, lease negotiations and bond financing. Represents a broad range of landlords, tenants and developers, alongside niche strengths acting for assisted living facilities, condominium and affordable housing developers on transactional, financing and zoning matters.
Strengths
Clients say: “Their knowledge and expertise in their various specialties is unequaled.”
Another client describes the firm as “a well-rounded organization with a deep bench allowing us to have resources at our disposal.”
Work highlights
Represented Summit Land Development in connection with a multi-use site, as well as the restructuring of a commercial project at another site.
Notable practitioners
Kenneth Viscarello is well versed in affordable housing, where he represents both for-profit and nonprofit developers on matters such as project financing, acquisitions and permitting concerns. Clients describe him as “knowledgeable, efficient and responsive.”
Margaret Probish acts a broad client base on matters such as commercial leasing, affordable housing development and public finance. Clients regard her as “detail-oriented and intelligent, with an ability to foresee potential issues that may need addressing.”
Susan Manchester is a strong choice of counsel for developers, lenders, landlord and tenants, handling matters such as housing projects, land use approvals, leasing and financing. Her practice includes notable condominium law expertise.
Taxation
Peter Beach is a dedicated tax attorney who advises on issues arising from an impressive range of domestic and cross-border transactions. He is also noted for his handling of controversies, including SALT mandates. “He is customer-focused and always available,” reports a client. “He goes out of his way to help us when we need it.”
About the Firm
Sheehan Phinney is a full service business law firm representing local, national and international clients with innovative approaches and practical solutions. Founded in 1937, Sheehan Phinney has grown to over 60 attorneys with four offices throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts and is known for professional excellence, practical counsel and commitment to both its clients and the communities it serves. Sheehan Phinney is the exclusive member in New Hampshire of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of premier independent law firms.