(Manchester, NH) – The firm of Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green PA has once again received the highest rankings in New Hampshire for 2016 by Chambers USA, a prestigious directory of the country’s top law firms.
The firm received the highest possible ranking (Band 1) in the areas of Corporate/Commercial (including Tax), Environment, Labor & Employment, Litigation and Real Estate. In addition, 18 Sheehan Phinney attorneys were recognized as among the nation’s top lawyers in their respective fields:
Elizabeth A. Bailey – Labor & Employment
Peter T. Beach – Corporate/Commercial: Tax
Robert P. Cheney – Environment
Alan P. Cleveland – Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation
Christopher Cole – Litigation: General Commercial
Peter S. Cowan – Litigation: General Commercial
Joseph A. DiBrigida – Corporate/Commercial
Michael J. Drooff – Corporate/Commercial
Michael C. Harvell – Litigation: General Commercial
Robert R. Lucic – Environment
Colleen Lyons – Corporate/Commercial
Susan A. Manchester – Real Estate; Land Use
David W. McGrath – Labor & Employment
John E. Peltonen – Environment
James P. Reidy – Labor & Employment
Alan L. Reische – Corporate/Commercial
James Q. Shirley – Litigation: General Commercial
Kenneth A. Viscarello – Real Estate
Chambers USA comments:
Corporate/Commercial
What the team is known for: Distinguished for its high-quality offering for regional, state and national clients. Regularly handles complex matters across the full spectrum of business law, including areas such as midmarket M&A, IP, debt-related issues and securities regulation.
“It is one of the leading firms in the state and extremely well thought of.”
Key Attorneys: Peter Beach maintains his standout reputation in the tax remit. He offers considerable insight and expertise in tax implications relating to joint ventures and M&A transactions, among further areas.
Michael Drooff “is someone whose assessment and analysis I trust. I would rely on his insight and opinions when faced with very technical and complicated securities matters,” sources comment. His broad skill set includes M&A, securities and investment matters.
Joseph DiBrigida is described as a “very efficient” practitioner with a wealth of experience in in the corporate space. He is routinely called on to handle transactions and complex corporate governance issues.
Clients report being “extremely impressed” by the “smart and responsive” Colleen Lyons. She adroitly handles transactional matters for private and public clients of varying size, with a specialist focus on small to midsized businesses.
“The lion of the Bar,” Alan Reische “is just terrific, everyone knows how good he is,” sources enthuse, adding that “he really knows his corporate and securities law.” He receives plaudits for his noteworthy experience and expertise, spanning the full scope of transactional matters.
Environmental
What the team is known for: Preeminent team of highly regarded practitioners with extensive experience appearing before energy and environmental agencies at both state and federal levels. Held in high esteem for its deep knowledge of redevelopment, regulatory compliance, cleanup and permitting matters.
“Sheehan Phinney provides a responsive service and attorneys with expertise in the various areas in which we have had needs.” “Exceptionally professional and very well educated on the law.”
Key Attorneys: The “excellent and detailed” Robert Cheney is noted by interviewees for his standout client service: “What I like about Robert is that he listens intently to my concerns and intimately engages with how he can help.” He regularly appears on behalf of clients before various government agencies.
Litigator Robert Lucic “is very good at handling complex and difficult cases,” sources report. He possesses a wealth of experience in contentious environment matters, including arbitrations, jury trials and administrative agency proceedings.
John Peltonen‘s “work is simply excellent,” say interviewees, adding that he “brings a lot of balanced skill” to matters. He has expertise across a range of areas, including permitting, regulatory compliance and mediation.
Labor & Employment
What the team is known for: Esteemed firm with strength across the full gamut of labor and employment matters. Fields a highly skilled team of specialists, who regularly handle complex matters on behalf of clients from an array of sectors.
“I truly enjoy working with the team at Sheehan. I have found everyone to be easy to work with and responsive to our needs.” “As a firm they’re excellent on client service and teamwork. They have top-notch lawyers.”
Key Attorneys: Clients “could not speak more highly of” James Reidy’s“legal skills and abilities, as well as his penchant to make complex and nuanced legal issues approachable to the layman.” He is regularly called upon to act for non-profit organizations, multinational businesses and public sector employers, among others.
The “extremely knowledgeable” Alan Cleveland continues to be valued for his expert advice. His broad practice includes a deep knowledge of ERISA, pensions and fiduciary matters.
Sources are “very impressed” by Elizabeth Bailey, given her“responsiveness, thoroughness, timeliness and depth of thinking.” She exhibits great skill in both contentious and noncontentious employment matters.
David McGrath is deemed “very knowledgeable and easy to work with”by satisfied clients. He regularly appears before state and federal courts on behalf of clients from diverse sectors concerning a wide range of employment law matters.
Litigation
What the team is known for: Esteemed litigation group offering top-tier representation to both private individuals and corporations of all sizes. Serves as high-quality prosecution and defense counsel for a vast range of clients across many types of disputes, including labor and employment, tax, IP and healthcare.
Key Attorneys: The “highly thought-of” litigator Michael Harvell is a well-versed trial lawyer with a particular focus on complex commercial litigation. He also offers specialist guidance on IP and tax disputes.
The highly respected James Shirley frequently appears before state and federal courts on behalf of a range of clients, including private individuals and public bodies.
Christopher Cole is described as “an excellent lawyer” by market commentators. He has significant experience in the employment space and exhibits particular skill in contentious IP matters and trade secrets cases.
The “all-around excellent litigator” Peter Cowan demonstrates considerable skill in labor and employment, construction and commercial disputes. He regularly acts for employers and employees.
Real Estate
What the team is known for: Acknowledged market leader handing complex real estate mandates for a range of clients, including landlords, tenants, assisted living facilities and affordable housing organizations. Noted for its expertise in condominium matters, lease negotiations and bond financing.
“They are outstanding. They provide great service and 110% commitment to their work.” “They provide top-of-the-market knowledge and excellent transactional experience. They are deal-driven attorneys.”
Key Attorneys: The accomplished Susan Manchester is considered“reasonable, knowledgeable, confident and persuasive” by sources. Her broad practice often includes providing clients with specialist insight into condominium law.
The “wonderful” Kenneth Viscarello impresses clients with his “even temperament and problem-solving” abilities. He chairs the firm’s corporate practice and offers extensive expertise in a range of complex transactional matters.
About Chambers USA
Each year Chambers USA researchers conduct thousands of interviews with attorneys and clients across the United States in order to rank attorneys based on their reputation in the market. The rankings are based on qualities such as technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence and commitment. For each firm referenced in the directory, Chambers USA: A Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers, provides detailed quotations from clients and peers, a list of practice strengths, an overview of recent work and a client listing. The guide is available on-line at www.chambersandpartners.com.
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.