Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Attorney William Kickham has more than 20 years of legal practice from diverse positions in law and media, providing counsel on a wide range of legal and trial issues, in both the civil and criminal arenas. Mr. Kickham presently practices law in his own firm in Westwood, Massachusetts, and until recently was the Executive Producer and host of his own TV talk show, At The Bar, previously broadcast on the Comcast network in the suburban Boston market, discussing a variety of legal and litigation issues within Massachusetts and nationally.

In his diverse legal roles, Mr. Kickham has served as the New England Regional Manager for the Insurance Information Institute, a nationwide trade association of liability insurance companies. In this capacity, Mr. Kickham acted as the Institute’s chief spokesperson to all media, industry and opposition groups having an interest in the industry’s legal and litigation issues. Within his role, Mr. Kickham worked with and appeared in all major print, radio and television media throughout New England, as well as in national publications such as USA Today, The National Law Journal, Lawyers Weekly USA, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

Prior to his association with the Institute, Mr. Kickham served as Public Affairs Counsel for the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA), in Boston. MATA is a specialty bar association, and is the state chapter of the American Association for Justice, (for many years formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). Mr. Kickham was responsible for media relations on all legal and trial issues, insurance liability, tort reform and civil justice issues. He directed all media coverage and commentary for the association, and served as Editor-In-Chief of all news operations. He regularly appeared in major print and broadcast media, regionally and nationally.

While attending Suffolk University Law School, Mr. Kickham also served on the House Judiciary Committee within the Massachusetts House, where he was Communications Coordinator for legal and legislative matters before the Committee. Prior to entering Suffolk Law School, Mr. Kickham directed media relations and communications strategy within a statewide coalition to reform auto insurance in Massachusetts, where he communicated complex legislative issues to a wide variety of media. Mr. Kickham is a former Special Assistant District Attorney for Norfolk County in Massachusetts, and has tried numerous criminal cases, as both prosecutor and defense counsel.

Mr. Kickham holds a degree in Economics from Boston College, and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Federal Bars, was a 1982 award recipient from the Outstanding Young Men of America, and a scholarship recipient from Suffolk University Law School. In addition to serving as the host of his own talk show, At The Bar from1995 to 2005, Mr. Kickham has appeared as legal analyst and commentator on Court TV, and appeared as spokesperson and legal commentator in The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, WBZ-AM Radio, WCVB-TV, WBZ-TV, WHDH-TV, and New England Cable News, discussing a wide variety of legal issues and organizations. In addition, he has worked with such national news organizations as USA Today and 60 Minutes, in briefing researchers and producers on legal issues.

Mr. Kickham resides with his wife Debbi in Westwood, Massachusetts.

Attorney Leanna Hamill provides Estate Planning and related legal services to clients of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older individuals and their families. Based in Hingham, Massachusetts, Attorney Leanna Hamill provides the following services:

• Estate Planning
• Estate Administration
• Guardianship and Conservatorship Services
• Comprehensive Estate and Medicaid Planning Evaluations
• Medicaid Advocacy

Leanna works with her clients to plan for and face life’s exciting changes, unexpected challenges and inevitable transitions. By listening to her clients’ needs and helping them identify their goals, Leanna is able to provide solutions to the issues facing today’s families and seniors.

ATTORNEY PROFILE

Leanna graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School, and has a degree in Sociology from the University of California, Davis. Prior to practicing law, Leanna worked at Tufts Health Plan, in the Appeals and Grievances Department, for over seven years. Leanna lives in Hingham and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the South Shore Coalition of Workers with the Elderly. Leanna is also one of the co-founders of the Women Attorneys Network of the South Shore ( http://www.wanss.org/ ) and can sometimes be found on Weymouth Community Television doing yoga with Back to Your Senses.

PRACTICE AREAS

Estate Planning

Leanna provides estate planning for clients of all ages and circumstances. For young families this can include selecting a guardian for minor children and planning for their future, while for older families or individuals this can include long-term care and disability planning, or simply updating their previous estate plans to reflect their current situation. Leanna works with clients to draft Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies and Living Wills that that take into account each client’s particular needs and wishes.

If necessary, Leanna can refer her clients to a trusted network of financial planners, accountants, geriatric care managers and other professionals to ensure all of her clients’ needs are met.

Estate Administration

Leanna provides full representation of fiduciaries administering estates. Probate administration includes filing the petition for appointment of the personal representative, preparing and filing the inventory of estate assets, paying decedent’s debts, distributing assets, filing tax returns, and filing accounts with the Probate Court.

Guardianship and Conservatorship Services

Leanna represents clients seeking guardianship and conservatorship of relatives who can no longer manage their personal or financial affairs and assists family members in fulfilling the duties imposed by these new roles.

Comprehensive Estate and Long Term Care Planning Evaluations

Leanna begins her representation of many clients with a comprehensive estate and long-term care planning evaluation. This evaluation determines the best planning strategies to pursue in order to meet the estate planning and long-term health care objectives of the client. Leanna examines all aspects of the client’s financial well-being and issues a follow-up letter which summarizes the client’s unique situation, reviews the law, and explains her recommendations for the best possible estate plan for the client.

Medicaid Advocacy

Leanna prepares or assists in the preparation and submission of the Medicaid application to the appropriate long-term care unit of the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA). At the client’s request, she co-ordinates all communications with the DMA, thereby removing the individual as much as possible from the tedious and often frustrating application process. If needed, Leanna can represent clients in connection with Medicaid appeals in administrative hearings before the Board of Hearings.

Danielle G. Van Ess is an experienced attorney with a growing solo practice, "DGVE law." She helps clients with such legal matters as residential real estate transactions, and preparation of Wills and related documents, including naming guardians for minor children. Danielle provides her clients personalized attention to address their specific goals offering them customized solutions and advice. As a wife and mother herself, Danielle understands that the process of seeking and obtaining legal assistance can be intimidating for many of her clients, who tend to be parents of young children. She prides herself on helping them through their particular matters in a friendly and relaxed manner. To foster her clients' comfort, Danielle charges a flat, rather than hourly, fee for most work. Her clients know they can engage her in ongoing, regular dialogue to answer their questions, address their concerns, and explain legal jargon, without fear of incurring further expenses. They also know they can turn to her for assistance whenever the need arises.

Wellesley, MA lawyer, Attorney Jonathan Fields has more than 17 years experience representing clients with a high level of personal care and professionalism. His approach to the complex area of family law is innovative, compassionate and geared to the best interests of his clients. Mr. Fields serves on the executive board of the Massachusetts Council of Family Mediation. In addition, he co-chairs the Nominating Committee for the Massachusetts Council of Family Mediation.

Website: http://www.FieldsDennis.com

Peter C. Herbst Jr. joined Baker, Braverman and Barbadoro, P.C. in September of 2008. Attorney Herbst concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial real estate, estate planning and estate administration. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Herbst was a partner in the firm of Herbst & Herbst, LLC where he concentrated on residential real estate, estate planning and land use.

Mr. Herbst is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Connecticut. Mr. Herbst graduated cum laude from Vermont Law School where he served as a member and Managing Editor of the Vermont Law Review. Mr. Herbst was also active in the Student Bar Association serving as its Webmaster and IT Coordinator. During his third year of law school, Mr. Herbst taught Legal Writing and Reasoning to first year law students. As an undergraduate, Mr. Herbst attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources and the Environment. He is also an alumnus of Phillips Andover.

Mr. Herbst served on the Board of Directors of LARC, Inc., a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mr. Herbst also served as a Zoning Hearing Officer for the City of Torrington, a position appointed by the City's Mayor.

David M. Beliveau, Esq., CPA is the founder of the Law Office of David M. Beliveau, LLC ("Beliveau Law Office") with offices in Naples, Florida, Waltham, Massachusetts and Salem, New Hampshire. Attorney Beliveau represents both individuals and businesses. He has clients in Florida, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Attorney Beliveau has been named a "Massachusetts Rising Star" by the publishers of Boston Magazine and Law and Politics Magazine. The distinction, awarded to less than five percent (5%) of all Massachusetts lawyers, was based on ballots cast by Massachusetts attorneys, asking them to identify the best lawyers, under the age of forty (40), whom they had personally observed in action.

Attorney Beliveau focuses his practice on asset protection, business law, civil litigation, estate planning, estate & trust administration, Medicaid, real estate, and taxation. He has experience with buy-sell agreements, corporations, Charitable Lead Trusts (CLTs), Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs), Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs), Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs), irrevocable trusts, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Medicaid applications, Medicaid irrevocable income only trusts, private foundations, Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs), revocable trusts, and wills. Attorney Beliveau has lectured to both individuals and professionals regarding the same. He counsels clients in connection with choice of business entity decisions and business operations. Attorney Beliveau is a title insurance agent in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire for Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company. He represents lenders in connection with real estate closings. Attorney Beliveau also represents buyers and sellers in connection with such closings. He has experience representing fiduciaries in civil litigation cases as well as individuals and businesses with tax matters before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Prior to forming the Beliveau Law Office, Attorney Beliveau was an Associate of the Probate, Trust and Estate Planning Group at the law firm of Brecher, Wyner, Simons, Fox & Bolan, LLP in Newton, MA (2003-2005), the Estate & Trust Administration Department Manager (2002-2003) and the Estate Planning Department Manager (2000-2002) at the law firm of Cushing & Dolan, P.C. in Boston, MA, and an Associate at the law firm of William H. Kelley, P.A. in Manchester, NH (1998-2000). He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of New Hampshire where he worked for the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young, LLP (1993-1995).

Attorney Beliveau is a member of the Bars of Massachusetts (1999), New Hampshire (1998), and Florida (1999). He is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, Cum Laude (1998), and the University of Notre Dame (BBA Accounting; Computer Applications) (1993).