The firm is pleased to announce the addition of Peter G. Raymond as an associate attorney.  A 2014 graduate of Cornell Law School, Peter spent two years clerking for the Vermont Superior Court prior to joining the firm.  He spent his first year clerking for all dockets in Windham County, and later moved to the Environmental Division of the Vermont Superior Court.  Peter’s practice at Sheehey will primarily focused on assisting the firm’s growing energy group.

With three new additions to the firm in recent months, the firm has expanded its Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate practice group.  Earlier this year, Sheehey merged with the firm Melendy Moritz in Woodstock, Vermont.  With that merger, Mark Melendy and Daphne Moritz joined the firm and the firm added an office in Woodstock.  In addition, Leigh Phillips has recently joined the firm.  David Austin, the firm’s managing attorney, said in a statement that “the addition of Mark Melendy, Daphne Moritz and Leigh Phillips brings great depth and experience to our estate planning practice and to the firm’s services for its business clients.”

Mark’s practice focuses largely on estate planning, business succession planning, estate administration and tax planning. Mark has over thirty years of experience, beginning with work for large international law firms in New York City and Boston.  Following his relocation to Vermont, Mark was a principal at Kristensen, Cummings, Phillips, Carroll, and Melendy, P.C. in Brattleboro, Vermont and subsequently Whittington, Melendy & Girdwood, P.C. in Hanover, NH and Woodstock, Vermont.  Mark then formed his own firm in 2003.  Mark holds a law degree from Fordham School of Law and an LLM (Tax) degree from Boston University School of Law.  He also holds an MBA from the University of New Hampshire.

Leigh works with small businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals in the areas of corporate and commercial law and estate planning and administration. Leigh was admitted to practice in Vermont in 1977, and prior to joining Sheehey, she practiced as a solo practitioner in Burlington. In addition to her legal practice, Leigh has served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations, including current roles on the boards of the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and the Burlington Country Club.  Leigh received a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania in 1972 and a J.D. from the Villanova University School of Law in 1976.

Daphne’s practice focuses on estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, estate administration, and small business start up and succession. Daphne was admitted to practice in Vermont in 1990 and in New Hampshire in 1991, and has a diverse background in private and public practice. She spent many years in the family court as a child support attorney, and served as an acting magistrate. In 2004, Daphne became executive director of the Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council, an innovative nonprofit organization that provides early childhood educators professional development opportunities.  Daphne received her law degree and Masters in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School in 1990.

Sheehey is proud to announce that six of its attorneys were named this month by Super Lawyers as among the best lawyers in New England.  The Super Lawyers list is generated through peer nominations, independent research, and peer evaluations. Each year, only 5% of attorneys are selected as Super Lawyers.  The following firm attorneys appear on this year’s list:

Jeffrey Behm was recognized for his expertise in the field of business litigation.  Jeff has appeared on the Super Lawyers list since 2007, and last year he was named as one of the Top 100 attorneys in the region.  Jeff has practiced at the firm since 1990, and he has tried more than one hundred cases to jury verdict over the course of his career.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and he is recognized by many publications as a leader in commercial litigation in Vermont.

Michael Furlong was listed in the filed of business and corporate law.  Michael has been recognized by Super Lawyers as among the best attorneys in New England since 2007.  Michael has practiced at the firm since 1983, and he provides general representation to a variety of Vermont and regionally-based businesses.  Michael regularly represents both Vermont-based as national lenders in structuring and documenting financing transactions.  He holds an AV rating, the highest rating attainable, from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.

Jim Spink was named for his work in the field of alternative dispute resolution.  Jim is a seasoned trial attorney who has tried more than 125 cases to verdict over his 35 years of experience.  He has been recognized by Super Lawyers since 2007.  Although Jim maintains an active litigation practice, his practice is primarily devoted to alternative dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration, and early neutral evaluation.  This year, he was celebrated as this region’s Lawyer of the Year in the area of mediation by Best Lawyers.

Arline Duffy was recognized as a Rising Star in the field of business and corporate law.  Arline has practiced at Sheehey since 2009, and her practice is largely focused on transactional matters, as well as corporate law, regulatory compliance, and estate planning.  Arline regularly advises clients on the legal issues associated with starting and running a small business.  In addition, Arline represents large and small business, including non-profits, on general matters and regulatory compliance.

Renee Mobbs was named for the second year in a row as a Rising Star for her work in general litigation.  Renee joined the firm in 2016 after working in private practice at another Vermont firm, and her practice is primarily focused on civil litigation.  She represents both individuals and businesses, as well as representing and advising financial and health care clients.  In addition to her litigation practice, Renee assists the firm in its robust regulatory practice, representing some of Vermont’s largest utilities.

Kevin Lumpkin was recognized as a Rising Star for his work in civil litigation.  Kevin was first named as a Rising Star in 2015.  Kevin joined the firm in 2013, and primarily practices in the area of civil litigation.  Earlier this year, Kevin secured a victory in the Vermont Supreme Court for a small business when the Court upheld the trial court’s dismissal for discovery violations.  Kevin received the 2016 Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award from the Vermont Bar Association for his work with a pro bono clinic in the Chittenden Superior Court.