Firm News

Sheehan Phinney Named Top in State by Best Lawyers® for 2027; Five Named Lawyer of the Year

August 19, 2026

(Manchester, NH, Boston, MA) – Sheehan Phinney is proud to announce that thirty-eight attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2027.

In addition, five Sheehan attorneys were selected as 2027 ‘Lawyers of the Year’ in their respective practice areas. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the 'Lawyer of the Year'. Each has received a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity:

Elizabeth A. Bailey – Litigation: Labor and Employment
Christopher M. Candon – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Scott W. Ellison – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Jason D. Gregoire – Health Care Law
James P. Reidy – Labor Law: Management

Three of our recognized attorneys have been selected in the ‘Ones to Watch’ section, a recognition given to attorneys who typically have been in practice for 5-9 years for outstanding professional excellence in private practice:

Brian J. Bouchard – Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Law/Management, Litigation/Construction, Litigation/Labor and Employment
Gregory A. Chakmakas – Real Estate Law
Emily B. Penaskovic  Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law

The thirty-five Sheehan Phinney attorneys recognized as Best Lawyers in America® for 2027 include:

Boston, MA
Bruce H. Bagdasarian  Real Estate Law, Commercial Finance Law
Kathleen O'Neill Burgener – Real Estate Law, Banking and Finance Law
John H. Perten – Construction Law, Litigation: Construction
Alexander H. Pyle  Corporate Law
Damon M. Seligson  Commercial Litigation
Steven M. Veenema - Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Labor and Employment

Concord, NH
Robert P. Cheney – Energy Law, Environmental Law

Manchester, NH
Elizabeth A. Bailey – Litigation/Labor and Employment, Employment Law/Management
Peter T. Beach – Litigation & Controversy/Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax Law
Matthew H. Benson  Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Technology Law, Venture Capital Law
Thomas S. Burack – Environmental Law
Christopher M. Candon – Corporate Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Megan C. Carrier – Commercial Litigation, Litigation/Insurance, Litigation/Labor & Employment, Litigation/Land Use and Zoning
Andrea G. Chatfield  Employment Law/Management
Bradford E. Cook – Non-Profit/Charities Law, Trusts & Estates
Andrew B. Eills  Healthcare Law
Scott W. Ellison  Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Commercial Transactions/UCC Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Tax Law
Katherine M. Hanna – Health Care Law
James P. Harris – Commercial Litigation
Courtney H.G. Herz – Commercial Litigation
Robert R. Lucic – Commercial Litigation
Colleen Lyons – Corporate Law, Business Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Mergers and Acquisitions
Susan A. Manchester – Real Estate Law
Robert H. Miller – Commercial Litigation, Litigation/Land Use and Zoning
Jennifer Shea Moeckel  Employment Law/Management
Margaret E. Probish – Commercial Finance Law, Real Estate Law
James Q. Shirley – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation
Mark J. Ventola – Employment Law - Management, Labor and Employment Litigation, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Douglas G. Verge  Litigation/Intellectual Property, Trademark Law
Kenneth A. Viscarello – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law

Portsmouth, NH
Jason D. Gregoire – Health Care Law
Eric T. Kilchenstein – Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
James S. LaMontagne - Commercial Litigation
David W. McGrath – Mediation, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law/Management, Labor Law/Management, Employment Law/Individuals
James P. Reidy – Employment Law/Management, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Labor Law/Management
Karen A. Whitley – Litigation, Labor and Employment

About the Firm
Sheehan Phinney is a preeminent law firm where 85+ years of trusted experience meets innovative forward-thinking and creative solutions in all areas of business law. Founded in 1937, Sheehan Phinney has grown to over 75 attorneys with five offices throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont, 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.