February, 2009

Matthew B. Byrne Discusses Litigation Preparation and Data Privacy

Matthew B. Byrne gave a presentation on document preservation and e-discovery at a gathering of Vermont attorneys and business people. Mr. Byrne's presentation focused on compliance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and other legal obligations. Mr. Byrne also reviewed Vermont data privacy laws.

Ross Feldmann awarded "Star of the Quarter"

Gravel and Shea associate Ross Feldmann was awarded a "Star of the Quarter" by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) at the ABA Mid-Year Meeting on February 11-14, 2009, in Boston. The ABA YLD presents this award four times a year to recognize ABA YLD members who provide exceptional service to the organization. Ross received the award for his efforts on the host committee, which helped organize the ABA YLD's conference at the Mid-Year Meeting. Ross currently serves as the District Representative to the ABA YLD for Vermont and Maine.

Gravel and Shea Chosen for Chittenden County State's Attorney Pilot Program

Gravel and Shea has been chosen to participate in a pilot program with the Office of the State's Attorney for Chittenden County whereby the firm will "lend" two associates to the State's Attorney on a part-time basis. Serving as Special Deputy State's Attorneys, the Gravel and Shea associates will handle all aspects of misdemeanor matters assigned to them, including arraignment, case development, jury selection, pleas, trials, and sentencing. We see this as a win/win. The State's Attorney will get the benefit of two highly motivated and skilled young lawyers, and the lawyers and Gravel and Shea will benefit from the training and in-court experience the arrangement will provide.

Bob Hemley has been named the Best Lawyers' 2009 Vermont Bet-the-Company Litigator of the Year.

Stewart McConaughy has been named the Best Lawyers' 2009 Vermont Corporate Lawyer of the Year

After more than a quarter of a century in publication, Best Lawyers is designating "Lawyers of the Year" in high-profile legal specialities in large legal communities.

Best Lawyers compiles its lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The current, 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2009), is based on more than 2.5 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.

The lawyers being honored as "Lawyers of the Year" have received particularly high ratings in Best Lawyers' surveys by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.

Gravel and Shea Joins TAGLaw

Gravel and Shea recently joined TAGLaw, a global network of high-quality, independent law firms with more than 140 member firms in 100 countries. Prior to being offered membership in TAGLaw, law firms undergo a careful vetting process in order to ensure that clients of TAGLaw member firms receive the highest quality legal service regardless of where their business may take them. TAGLaw firms cover a broad spectrum of practice areas, and service clients ranging from start-up businesses to multinational corporations.

Gravel and Shea is proud to be the exclusive TAGLaw member firm for the State of Vermont.

For more information on TAGLaw please visit http://www.taglaw.com or contact Peter S. Erly at 802.658.0220 or at perly@gravelshea.com.