For over thirty years, my practice has been devoted to the legal needs of the construction industry. My clients include contractors, suppliers, and the trades, as well as design professionals. My client base has continued to expand as I advocate for a value-based approach to the practice of construction law. This approach elevates collaborative negotiation and practical results over aggressive posturing and divisive rhetoric. It demonstrates an understanding that your relationships with customers and trade partners are irreplaceable, and offers legal solutions to allow you to focus on your work and stay out of the courtroom.
My experience suggests that a contractor’s most useful ally is a legal advocate who can win hearts and minds, not swing the heaviest hammer. Although there are times that an aggressive stance or targeted litigation is necessary to budge an immovable obstacle, or stand up to a corporate bully, litigation is rarely the best or most cost-efficient way to resolve a client’s problem. As a result, my goal is always to prioritize results over process and fashion a practical solution to your real-world problem.
To achieve these goals, I have become well-versed in the language of construction. I understand construction bidding, contracts, cost accounting, billing, and payment methodologies, as well as the range of available project delivery methods. I have invested decades becoming a recognized authority on the standard construction forms issued by AIA, ConsensusDocs and EJCDC. Additionally, I have a deep understanding of your rights as they pertain to contractor liens and construction bonds.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to be recognized by my peers for my legal skills in the field of construction. In 2018, I was inducted as a “Fellow” of the Construction Law Society of America, and in both 2022 and 2023, I was named “Lawyer of the Year” for construction law and litigation by Best Lawyers in America. Since the late 1990s, I have been a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law. For most of my professional career, I have been a member of the National Association of Women in Construction, where I served as a Board member for several years.
More locally, I served on the Board of the New Hampshire Good Roads Association for many years, and in 2010, I was elected President of the Association for a 2-year term. In 2011, I joined the Board of Directors of the New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and was elected Chair of the Board in 2016. I continue to serve as an instructor for ABC’s Superintendent Certificate Program, and I was appointed to ABC’s National Board of Directors in 2017. In addition to my leadership on the Boards of various trade groups, I am a frequent lecturer and a prolific writer on topics relevant to the construction industry.
On a personal note, I am originally from Nebraska, where I attended College and Law School. I have 3 beautiful daughters and 4 amazing grandchildren. I have practiced construction law in both small and large firms. I formed this firm to explore my own unique vision of a client-centric law practice, and to establish a work-life balance that allows me to spend quality time with my family and friends. I am fortunate to represent some of the best contractors in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and several other states. I am excited to continue to meet new clients who share my goals and modern vision of the lawyer-client relationship.