Bernstein Shur Monthly – November 2018

Preeminent Construction Law Firm Gagliuso & Gagliuso Joins Bernstein Shur in Manchester, NH

Bernstein Shur welcomes Rick and Kelly Gagliuso as shareholders to the firm’s Manchester, New Hampshire office.

Rick Gagliuso’s practice is devoted almost exclusively to the representation of individuals and businesses in commercial disputes and transactions. Rick is recognized as one of New Hampshire’s foremost construction law attorneys, representing commercial contractors and other parties to the construction process. He is a past board chairman of the New Hampshire/Vermont chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, and a national director for ABC. He regularly serves as a panelist or speaker on construction topics at industry or bar sponsored seminars and conferences.

Additionally, Rick has distinguished himself as one of the state’s top First Amendment lawyers, representing a number of newspapers and other media outlets during his years of practice, and serving on the board of the New England First Amendment Coalition. Rick also has extensive experience with alternative forms of dispute resolution, based in part on having handled hundreds of litigation matters in New Hampshire’s state and federal courts. Rick regularly acts as an advocate for clients in mediation and arbitration matters, but also serves as a mediator and arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and for private parties in construction and other commercial disputes. A graduate of Harvard College and Boston University Law, Rick has earned an ‘AV’ rating from Martindale Hubbell, and has been listed for many years in the publication ‘Best Lawyers in America’ and in New Hampshire Magazine as a ‘Best Lawyer in New Hampshire’ in Construction Law. His former law firm was recognized as a “Best Law Firm” for the State of New Hampshire in Construction Law and Construction Litigation.

Kelly Gagliuso has practiced in the areas of construction and commercial litigation for over twenty-eight years, concentrating on construction and business litigation. Recognized as one of the state’s top construction lawyers, her clients regularly include contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, subtrades and business owners. Kelly maintains close ties with the construction industry through active participation in several trade organizations. She is a past Chair of the Board of Directors of the New Hampshire/Vermont chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors and currently serves on ABC’s National Board of Directors. Kelly is also a past Chair of the Board of Directors of the New Hampshire Good Roads Association and she has served on the Board of Directors of the Granite State Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction. She is a frequent program chair and lecturer at construction seminars and courses conducted by the New Hampshire Bar Association, as well as business and trade groups throughout the State.

Kelly is an experienced and highly regarded litigator, having prosecuted and defended cases in New Hampshire’s state and federal courts, but she is also a strong advocate for early dispute resolution and exploration of litigation alternatives, allowing clients the opportunity to resolve claims before they disrupt business relationships.  A graduate of the University of Nebraska’s undergraduate and law programs, Kelly has been recognized by “Best Lawyers in America” and “Best New England Lawyers” for both Construction Law and Construction Litigation and her former law firm was recognized as a “Best Law Firm” for the State of New Hampshire in Construction Law and Construction Litigation. Kelly has also received the “Good Scout Award” from the Boy Scouts of America for ethics in business and good corporate citizenship exemplifying the ideals of scouting.

Bernstein Shur Welcomes Two New Attorneys to Portland, ME Office

Bernstein Shur welcomed attorneys Shiloh D. Theberge and Kristina Finley to its Portland, ME office this month.

Theberge joins the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group as a Shareholder, where she will focus on a wide variety of labor and employment matters. Prior to joining Bernstein Shur, Theberge was an associate and of counsel at two local Portland law firms, including Littler Mendelson, the largest law firm in the world devoted solely to representing management in labor and employment law matters. Shiloh earned her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and her B.A. from Dickinson College. She is licensed to practice in the states of ME, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and resides in Brunswick, ME.

Finley joins the firm’s Real Estate and Litigation Practice Groups where she will focus on a wide variety of real estate litigation matters. Prior to joining Bernstein Shur, Finley was an associate at a New Hampshire law firm. Finley earned her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law, magna cum laude, her B.A., from the University of Southern ME and studied Integrated Law at Vilnius University in Lithuania. Finley is licensed to practice in the states of ME and New Hampshire and resides in Kittery, ME.

Judge Louis Kornreich Admitted as a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy (ACB)

Judge Louis Kornreich, former chief bankruptcy judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of ME, was admitted as a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy (ACB). This is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a member of the legal profession working in business restructuring and insolvency.

The prestigious American College of Bankruptcy induction ceremony is historically held in early spring at the United States Supreme Court’s Great Hall. Prominent individuals have addressed the inductees from Supreme Court Justices to members of Congress to White House staff members to academics.

“Recognition by the College is a well-deserved honor for Lou and a just acknowledgement of his distinguished career to date, as well as his tireless commitment to service to the community and to the state and national restructuring bars,” said Bob Keach, Co-chair of Bernstein Shur’s Business Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group. “Lou’s acknowledged expertise and unique skills as a mediator in all types of cases—restructuring or not—continue to be recognized by his peers as he pursues the third phase of his career with Bernstein Shur. Speaking of three’s, few firms of any size have three Fellows of the College in their ranks, and we are proud to congratulate Lou on becoming the third Fellow at the firm.”

According to ACB’s website, “The College has 800 Fellows that are selected by a Board of Regents from among recommendations received from the Circuit Admissions Council in each federal judicial circuit. The Regents select those who meet the following standards: (i) the highest professional qualifications and ethical standards; (ii) the highest level of character, integrity, professional expertise and leadership which demonstrates the likelihood that they will continue to contribute to the enhancement of bankruptcy and insolvency scholarship, continuing education, and contributions to the improvement of the bankruptcy and insolvency processes; (iii) a commitment to fostering and furthering the objectives of the College; (iv) sustained evidence of scholarship, teaching, lecturing and distinguished published writings on bankruptcy practice or insolvency practice, procedure, philosophy, improvements and reforms which demonstrates a consistent contribution to the enhancement of bankruptcy and insolvency literature, education, practice and the overall improvement of the process.”

About Judge Louis Kornreich

After a distinguished 40-year career as one of Northern New England’s top reorganization specialists, the last 14 of which were spent on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of ME where he served as Chief Judge, Louis Kornreich joined Bernstein Shur to provide mediation services in the private sphere. While on the bench, Kornreich sat for extended periods of time as a visiting bankruptcy judge in the Districts of Delaware and New Hampshire and as an appellate judge on the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the First Circuit.

During his tenure on the bench, Kornreich was a sought-after judicial mediator in the Bankruptcy Court and the U.S District Court, and was held in high esteem by the bench and bar and for his multifaceted approach to mediation and his skill at helping parties achieve comprehensive and pragmatic solutions in difficult cases.

Law Firm Earns 28 Tier-One Distinctions in ME and New Hampshire

Bernstein Shur, a leading New England based law firm, has been recognized in the 2019 Best Law Firms directory by U.S. News – Best Lawyers®. The firm was ranked in 47 metropolitan-area practice categories and received 28 tier-one distinctions, its top designation.

Best Law Firms started in 2010 to help connect attorneys and clients to the most impressive law firms in the country. The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a ranking in a particular practice area and metro region, a law firm must have at least one lawyer who is included in Best Lawyers in that particular practice area and metro.

Bernstein Shur has been featured in Best Law Firms since the rankings began in 2010. The 2019 edition honors practices in the firm’s Portland and Augusta, ME and Manchester, New Hampshire offices.

Bernstein Shur received tier-one rankings in the following locations and practice areas:

Portland, ME
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Arbitration
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Management
Energy Law
Franchise Law
Health Care Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Real Estate
Mediation
Municipal Law
Project Finance Law
Real Estate Law
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tax Law

Augusta, ME
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Commercial Litigation
Land Use & Zoning Law
Litigation – Construction

Manchester, New Hampshire
Employment Law – Individuals
Real Estate Law

2018 Next List Reception

Bernstein Shur was proud to be a Presenting Sponsor of the MEbiz Next List Reception, held on November 13th. MEbiz recognized 11 dynamic individuals who are changing ME’s Economy and making a significant impact in their industry. To view the full list of individuals recognized, visit the MEbiz website here.

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