Pierce Atwood Names Seven New Partners
Pierce Atwood LLP is pleased to announce that these attorneys have been named firm partners:
Newell Augur, based in Augusta, Maine, has more than 20 years of government relations and administrative law experience, cultivating long-standing relationships with Maine state government officials and policy leaders. Newell helps design and execute clients’ legislative strategy, enlists and organizes stakeholders, serves as spokesperson for press events, and monitors initiatives that affect client operations. In addition to his government relations work, Newell has led three successful statewide referenda campaigns, and served as legal and strategic counsel for several others. Newell graduated cum laude from Boston College Law School and is current Chair of the Finance Committee for the Yarmouth (Maine) School Committee.
Melanie Conroy, based in Boston, focuses her practice on class action defense and complex commercial litigation. Melanie has experience in investor and consumer class actions based on alleged consumer fraud and unfair practices, consumer privacy, medical device marketing, product recalls, website accessibility, banking practices and fees, change of control transactions, insurance claims, securities laws, and fiduciary duties. Melanie frequently writes and speaks on topics such as class action litigation, data privacy matters, and securities laws. Melanie graduated from Harvard Law School, and holds leadership roles with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Boston Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.
Griffin Leschefske, based in Portland, Maine, focuses his practice on estate planning, charitable giving, and probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation, in which he represents individuals, families, fiduciaries, and institutional clients in all aspects of trust and estate planning, administration, and controversy. Griff also represents charitable organizations, educational institutions, and corporate clients with respect to planned giving and philanthropy matters. A member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, Griff is committed to ensuring access to justice and legal services for all and was the firm’s "Pro Bono Attorney of the Year" in 2016 and 2017. Griff is a member of the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project and on the board of directors for the Maine Estate Planning Council.
Sarah McGarrell, based in Boston, works with emerging, growth, and closely held companies, and advises startup founders on pre-market corporate governance issues and early stage financing from term sheet through closing. Sarah also works with clients in the emerging cannabis industry, where she works with entrepreneurs and stakeholders to develop sustainable, thoughtful, and compliant business structures and financing plans. As a former entrepreneur, Sarah brings a unique perspective and understands the challenges facing founders and young companies.
Vivek Rao, based in Boston, focuses his practice on technology transactions, data privacy compliance, IP, brand protection, consumer-facing IP terms, marketing management and compliance, and technology M&A due diligence. Vivek’s clients include Fortune 500 companies in highly regulated industries, family-owned businesses, and sophisticated startups. Vivek has degrees from MIT and the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. At Berkeley Law, he was a member of the Order of the Coif, won the McBaine Moot Court Competition, and served as senior supervising editor for the California Law Review and a member of the Berkeley Technology Law Journal.
Daniel Strader, based in Portland, Maine, guides clients in complying with the latest legal developments impacting their workforces, and provides counsel on complying with state and federal employment laws such as Title VII, the Maine Human Rights Act, and the ADA, FLSA, FMLA, and ADEA. He regularly assists clients with labor negotiations, managing union elections, and represents employers in unfair labor practice charges and other proceedings. Dan also has an active litigation practice in both state and federal court, providing zealous but practical representation to employers on a wide range of employment claims. Dan is Chair of the Impact Investment Committee, Brick & Beam Society, United Way of Greater Portland.
Andrea Suter, based in Portland, Maine, represents clients in a broad range of industries, including energy, hospitality, real estate development, financial services, manufacturing, and software development. She also works closely with startups, family-owned, early stage companies, and large, established businesses providing counsel on raising capital, venture financing, governance, M&A, and more. Andrea is the Board Chair for Maine Center for Entrepreneurs and is a member of the Leaders Network for the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute.
Pierce Atwood Managing Partner David E. Barry states, “This group of new partners represents the best of Pierce Atwood. Their advancement enhances the strength and depth of key practice areas across the firm and reflects our commitment to professional excellence and client service. They are dedicated and talented lawyers, driven by their commitment to provide our clients with exceptional service, creative solutions and strong results.”