Bernstein Shur Shareholder Talesha Saint-Marc Selected as United States Magistrate Judge in New Hampshire

March 1, 2023 – Talesha Saint-Marc, Bernstein Shur Shareholder and Labor and Employment Practice Group Co-Chair, has been selected as the second United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Hampshire. Saint-Marc is making history as the first Black person to serve on the federal bench in the state.

Saint-Marc graduated from Franklin Pierce University and earned her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.  Following graduation, she served as a law clerk in the New Hampshire Supreme Court for retired Associate Justice Carol Ann Conboy, and before that, the New Hampshire Superior Court. Since joining Bernstein Shur in 2012, Saint-Marc has provided thoughtful and practical advice and counsel to employers navigating complex state and federal workplace laws.  Further, she has vigorously defended her clients before various government agencies and in state and federal court. Saint-Marc also has a flourishing investigation practice, where she serves as an independent outside investigator for businesses, organizations, and schools.  In recent years, Saint-Marc has been recognized for her excellence as an attorney and her leadership in New Hampshire, receiving a Chambers USA ranking for Labor and Employment Law in 2022 and being listed among New Hampshire’s 200 most influential business leaders by the New Hampshire Business Review in 2021 and the New Hampshire Union Leader’s 40 Under Forty in 2019.

“I am honored to serve New Hampshire as the next Magistrate Judge and to join the ranks of our distinguished federal bench,” said Saint-Marc. “This is a proud moment for me, my family, and my community.”

Among her many community leadership roles, such as service on the Board of Directors for New Hampshire Legal Assistance, Vice President of the Rivier University Board of Trustees, President of the Board of Directors for the Circle Program, and President of the Bishop Estee and Ida Newman Scholarship Foundation, Saint-Marc is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal industry and New Hampshire. In 2022, she visited schools with New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Gary Hicks with the goal of encouraging diverse students to consider a career in the law. She is the Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the New Hampshire Bar Association, and has hosted events for the firm that bring together and elevate the voices of BIPOC changemakers in New Hampshire. Now as a judge, Saint-Marc is making history.

“Talesha is an absolute trailblazer,” said Joan Fortin, CEO of Bernstein Shur. “It has been an honor working with her over the past decade while watching her grow into a leading member of the New Hampshire Bar and business community. Talesha has repeatedly demonstrated unwavering dedication to her clients, her colleagues, public service, and to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within our firm and the legal industry generally. I know New Hampshire will benefit greatly from the immense talent and diverse perspective she will bring to the federal bench.  We are thrilled for Talesha and her family —this is a proud day for all of us.”

Saint-Marc will be joining Bernstein Shur alumna Magistrate Judge Andrea Johnstone on the bench. In addition to Saint-Marc and Magistrate Judge Johnstone, Bernstein Shur has seen several other talented former shareholders move on to serve in key legal positions, including Emily Gray Rice, who went on to serve as United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, and Judge Michael A. Fagone, who presently serves the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine.

See the official press release from the United States District Court District of New Hampshire here.