The Firm is pleased to announce that Diane M. McCarthy, James W. Spink, Lewis K. Sussman and Alexandrea L. Nelson have all been recognized by Best Lawyers and will be listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

Diane M. McCarthy is recognized for her work in banking and finance, corporate, and real estate law. James W. Spink is recognized for his work in arbitration, mediation, personal injury litigation – defendants, and personal injury litigation – plaintiffs.  Lewis K. Sussman is recognized for his work in real estate law.

James W. Spink was named 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Mediation by Best Lawyers.  Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant. These lawyers are selected based on particularly impressive voting averages received during the peer review assessments.

Alexandrea L. Nelson has been included in the 2022 Edition of Best Lawyers: One to Watch for her work in commercial litigation, criminal defense: general practice, and criminal defense: white-collar.  This is a new category for Best Lawyers and recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

“Best Lawyers was founded in 1981 with the purpose of highlighting the extraordinary accomplishments of those in the legal profession. After three decades, we are proud to continue to serve as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals worldwide,” says CEO Phillip Greer.

Sheehey principal Christina Nolan will be discussing Civil Trial Practice Tips alongside Hon. Judge Helen Toor at the Vermont Bar Trial Academy this Friday July 30, 2021 from 9-10 AM.

This CLE event runs all day and is in webinar format, teaming superior court judges with experienced trial practitioners to give 1 hour presentations about a variety of practice areas.

Learn more and register for the event here.

 

 

From Vermont Business Magazine:

“The 32nd cohort of the Lake Champlain Chamber’s Leadership Champlain program celebrated their graduation at Hotel Vermont earlier this week. Since 1989, Leadership Champlain has ensured the community’s most influential and esteemed leaders are knowledgeable about issues, well-networked and passionate about our region’s success. “This distinguished cohort of 35 community leaders were trailblazers as they completed their entire Leadership Champlain experience virtually,” says Program Director Tori Colarusso.  “They spent nine months becoming educated on the different challenges facing our community and serving local organizations while grappling with the many changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Their dedication to our community is inspiring.” The Leadership Champlain Class of 2021 completed service projects for Hunger Free Vermont, Turning Point Center of Chittenden County, Burlington Electric Department, Chittenden County Accountable Community for Health, Age Well and Burlington Rotary Club.”

Christina E. Nolan, former United States Attorney and longtime federal and state prosecutor, will join Sheehey Furlong & Behm P.C., as a shareholder and director. Nolan starts at the firm on April 15th and will focus on complex civil litigation, defense of government enforcement actions, False Claims Act defense and enforcement, white collar and serious felony criminal defense, and internal corporate investigations. Nolan has tried more than a dozen cases to juries, regularly handled evidentiary hearings before federal and state trial courts, and appeared several times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

“After twelve years serving the public as a prosecutor and as U.S. Attorney, I am honored to join Sheehey, a firm of top-notch lawyers and staff, with one of the finest reputations in New England,” Nolan said.  “I am looking forward to working with this high-caliber team to protect and promote the rights and interests of Sheehey’s clients.”

“We are so pleased and excited to have Christina join us,” said Ian Carleton, Director of the Litigation Group.  “Her experience and expertise bring added depth, breadth and strength to our litigation practice.”

Heather Ross, a Director who practices white collar and government enforcement at Sheehey, commented “For more than forty years, Sheehey has had a robust white collar and government enforcement practice.  We are thrilled to have someone of Christina’s caliber and experience join this group.”

Nolan, a native Vermonter, served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Vermont (USAO) in the Criminal Division for nearly eight years. Following the bipartisan recommendations of Senator Patrick Leahy and Governor Phil Scott, Nolan was nominated as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont by the President and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2017.  Nolan served until March 2021. As U.S. Attorney, Nolan supervised all federal criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions in Vermont, served as chief spokesperson for the USAO and federal law enforcement in Vermont, and partnered with Vermont community leaders and government officials to promote criminal justice policies and launch community-based and law enforcement initiatives.

Nolan’s supervisory duties involved a range of criminal and civil cases involving drug trafficking; firearms and violence; human trafficking; organized crime; child exploitation; wire, healthcare, bank, securities and government contracting fraud; embezzlement and money laundering; medical malpractice; and federal False Claims Act enforcement.

Under Nolan’s leadership, the USAO resolved criminal felony anti-kickback charges and civil False Claims Act claims against Purdue Pharma L.P., as part of the largest criminal resolution ever reached against a pharmaceutical company; prosecuted the largest fraud case in Vermont history relating to the EB-5/Jay Peak financial scandal, obtaining a guilty plea from the lead defendant; and secured unprecedented False Claims Act civil and criminal settlements against healthcare companies that garnered national attention.

Former U.S. Attorney General William Barr selected Nolan as one of a dozen U.S. Attorneys to sit on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, which advises the Attorney General on all aspects of criminal and civil policy. Nolan chaired the Advisory Committee’s Controlled Substances Subcommittee (CSS) and served as a member of its Health Care Fraud and Domestic Violence Working Groups. Nolan also co-chaired the Justice Department’s initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing during the pandemic and helped lead the Attorney General’s effort to implement police reform pursuant to the 2020 Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities. In her capacity as leader of the CSS, Nolan testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee concerning fentanyl enforcement policy and proposed fentanyl legislation.  In Vermont, Nolan sat on Governor Scott’s Opioid Coordination, Substance Misuse, and Emergency Preparedness Councils and co-chaired the Vermont Human Trafficking Task Force.

As an assistant U.S. Attorney, Nolan investigated and prosecuted financial, narcotics, violent, child exploitation, and other crimes. She tried six federal cases to juries, each trial resulting in conviction. Among her most notable cases was the prosecution and conviction of Richard Monroe for the drug-related murder of University of Vermont student, Kevin DeOliveira. Nolan was also tasked with oversight of all opioid trafficking prosecutions and investigations in Eastern Vermont and served as the USAO’s Violent Crime Coordinator.

Before joining the USAO, Nolan served as an Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, where she tried numerous cases to juries and prosecuted a variety of state crimes, including DUI, drug trafficking, firearms violations, and domestic violence matters. From 2005 to 2009, Nolan worked as a litigation associate at Goodwin, a large Boston law firm. In that role, she represented white collar defendants, conducted internal investigations, supervised complex civil litigation, and played a managerial role in the representation of a corporate executive in a high-profile federal securities fraud prosecution that resulted in dismissal of charges against the executive.

After law school, Nolan clerked for The Honorable F. Dennis Saylor, IV of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Nolan graduated magna cum laude from Boston College Law School in 2004.  She earned her bachelor’s degrees in political science and history from the University of Vermont, where she graduated summa cum laude.

 About Sheehey Furlong & Behm P.C.

With a unique blend of legal expertise, actionable insight, and unwavering dedication, Sheehey provides the advice, guidance and support to solve clients’ problems and address their needs in a timely and cost-effective manner. With deep experience in a variety of practice areas, from large transactions to complex litigation, sophisticated estate and tax planning, regulatory compliance, and more, Sheehey will get you to where you need to be. Learn more at sheeheyvt.com.

Sheehey Furlong & Behm is pleased to announce that Hannah C. Waite has joined the firm as an associate attorney in the litigation department.

Hannah’s practice focuses primarily on civil and criminal litigation.  Prior to joining the firm, Hannah served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Dennis Jacobs, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and to the Honorable John G. Koeltl, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.  Hannah also previously worked as an associate attorney for two large law firms in New York City.

Hannah graduated magna cum laude and order of the coif from New York University School of Law, where she served as Articles Editor on the Law Review.   Hannah received her B.A. from Middlebury College.

“Hannah’s experience and energy are the perfect addition to our team of highly skilled litigation attorneys,” commented Managing Director David Austin.  “We are delighted to have her join the firm.”

Sheehey director Heather Ross recently joined two other local employment attorneys to discuss challenges for employers in maintaining a safe workplace amid mounting employee tensions arising from COVID-19 fatigue and the upcoming political election.  Sponsored by the Lake Champlain Chamber, the panel discussed topics such as OSHA requirements, what constitutes protected speech in the workplace, anti-discrimination laws, and employers’ responsibilities under the National Labor Relations Act, in reflecting on how employers can work with employees to ensure a safe and positive workplace.

The presentation is available to re-watch at this link. The panel will regroup every few months to discuss various employment related topics as requested by employers.

Heather is a director and shareholder at the firm and her practice focuses on complex litigation, including employment disputes.

The Firm is pleased to announce that Diane M. McCarthy, James W. Spink, Lewis K. Sussman and Alexandrea L. Nelson have all been recognized by Best Lawyers and will be listed in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

Diane M. McCarthy is recognized for her work in banking and finance, corporate, and real estate law. James W. Spink is recognized for his work in arbitration, mediation, personal injury litigation – defendants, and personal injury litigation – plaintiffs.  Lewis K. Sussman is recognized for his work in real estate law.

Additionally, James W. Spink was named 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Mediation by Best Lawyers.  Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant. These lawyers are selected based on particularly impressive voting averages received during the peer review assessments.

Alexandrea L. Nelson has been included in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers: One to Watch for her work in commercial litigation, criminal defense: general practice, and criminal defense: white-collar.  This is a new category for Best Lawyers and recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

“Best Lawyers was founded in 1981 with the purpose of highlighting the extraordinary accomplishments of those in the legal profession. After three decades, we are proud to continue to serve as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals worldwide,” says CEO Phillip Greer.

The Firm is pleased to announce that Partner Kevin A. Lumpkin has been recognized as a 2020 Rising Star by Vermont Business Magazine.   Recipients were selected from more than 190 nominations based on their commitment to business growth, professional excellence and involvement in their communities.  VBM has been recognizing 40 individuals under the age of 40 each year since 2010.  This year’s rising stars will be honored at a virtual event later this year.

This is a well-deserved honor for Kevin who is active on several non-profit and governmental boards including Vermont Works for Women, Winooski Development Review Board, Vermont Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Board, and the Laura Kate Winterbottom Memorial Fund.  Additionally in 2016, Kevin received the Vermont Bar Association’s Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for his work representing indigent tenants facing eviction in the Chittenden Superior Court.  For every year since 2015, Super Lawyers magazine has named Kevin to its list of New England Rising Stars.

Kevin joined the firm in 2013.  His practice is focused primarily on civil litigation, serving both business and individuals.

Congratulations to Kevin and all of the 2020 Rising Stars!

Sheehey Furlong & Behm is pleased to announce that Matthew Preedom has joined the firm as an associate.

Prior to joining the firm, Matt worked as a litigation paralegal at another Burlington firm while completing Vermont’s Law Office Study Program.  There, he cultivated a wide range of experience in securities litigation, antitrust law, construction disputes, and civil rights violations.

Sheehey partner Ian Carleton commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Matt to our rapidly expanding litigation team. Matt’s experience will help us continue to provide excellent representation to our clients.”

Sheehey attorney Renee Mobbs recently won a victory in the Vermont Supreme Court in Pearl Street Partners v. Backstage, successfully arguing in both the trial court and the Supreme Court on appeal that a landlord has the right to terminate a commercial lease and evict the tenant if the tenant’s insurance coverage does not strictly comply with the requirements of the lease. Both the trial court and the Supreme Court agreed with Attorney Mobbs’ argument that insurance coverage is an important component of commercial leases, and that the tenant’s failure to obtain the necessary insurance constitutes a material breach, tantamount to playing financial Russian roulette. The courts declined to entertain the tenant’s equitable arguments, and instead enforced the terms of the parties’ lease according to its terms.

To read the decision, click here.