We focus on adding value to your decisions. Just regurgitating a contract is not sufficient. If the issue is a new transaction, we are “deal-makers” not “deal breakers”. We know that strategic thinking is key, an attribute we call “forward thinking”. We review your facts and help you think forward to protect you against issues that might arise in the future, with common sense, practical solutions. It is this “forward thinking” that will reduce tomorrow’s problems, protect your interests and save you money and aggravation after the documents are signed.

Where a small business is involved, we will also be protective of the interests of the majority owners, preparing stockholder agreements and, where necessary, estate plans to ensure continuity of the business and a distribution of the family assets in a meaningful way.

We serve individual needs in a variety of matters, including personal injury (for example, automobile accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites)product liability, wrongful death, commercial disputes, estate and fiduciary cases, real estate and land use matters, civil defense, employment disputes, consumer cases, and insurance matters.

Our commercial clients include many large and small businesses located in Berkshire County, as well as in other parts of Massachusetts, and in other states, including New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and California. These businesses include financial institutions, manufacturers, sales organizations, museums, hotels, contractors, and transportation companies.

Our Litigation Practice has years of experience in handling a wide range of cases in a variety of courts both at the state and federal level. We have obtained substantial awards for our clients in motor vehicle accident cases, premises liability cases, defamation cases, and associated civil and commercial disputes. We have successfully resolved homeowner-contractor disputes, boundary line claims, and adverse possession challenges. Our goal is to resolve our clients’ cases as expeditiously and efficiently as possible.

But when we go court, we know it’s hardball.

As one of the leading lobbying practices among all Berkshire County law firms, the group has been active in a broad range of issue areas, including false claims act allegations, environment, energy, economic development, health care, and environmental matters.

Our government affairs lawyers bring a seasoned understanding of the legislative and congressional oversight processes and a range of established working relationships with influential members and key staff. Members of the group include attorney Sherwood Guernsey, a former state representative of the Second Berkshire District to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 8 years, and Director of National Programs for the Peace Corps in Washington, DC.

A member of this Practice area is Jon Marks.  As a former Senior Reserach Analyst for the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and as a legislative aide, Mr. Marks helps clients navigate the frequently challenging halls of goverment.

Fiduciary Services are available to ensure compliance with client directives and to provide efficient administration of probate estates, regardless of size or complexity. Attorneys in the Estate Planning Practice are available to serve as fiduciaries for trusts or estates. Our sensitivity to discreet family issues coupled with our significant experience in probate and trust matters provides unparalleled service.

After someone dies, our expertise also allows us to efficiently process the administration and probate of all estates, large and small, from inception to conclusion. Our focus is on protecting and preserving assets as well as quickly and efficiently transitioning assets to beneficiaries. In addition to our Estate and Probate work, our Litigation Practice handles disputes on behalf of Trustees, Executors or other fiduciaries, including disputes in Family Limited Partnerships.

The Comprehensive Asset Management Program is a design-your-own service for individuals and families who have a high net worth, with complex asset structures and want to protect or expand them, trusting that all related matters will be accomplished without worry. We work as a team with your accountant, investment advisors and any company personnel integral to your transactions and portfolio.

The program components can range from doing all the bookkeeping and transactions for an active entrepreneur, to simply handling all of your personal legal matters. Quite often, establishing a detailed estate plan or various holding entities is a core part of this service.

Remember: it is design-your-own, so tell us what you need and we can design a specific program that will address your needs, and allow you to use your time most effectively to create or manage your business and investment interests.