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.

At the Law Offices of Susannah L. Brown we specialize in Divorce and Family Law. Call us today for a free consultation.

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.

Katie Lenihan was admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2004. Since that time her primary focus has been in the area of family law. She is currently an associate at the firm of Otis & Associates, P.C. and has been there since June, 2007. Prior to that, Ms. Lenihan worked in Lexington for the Law Office of Miriam G. Altman, P.C. She has worked in the following Courts: Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex and Worcester. She now primarily practices out of Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Middlesex.

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.

Jane is a partner at the law firm of Sedna Law, P.C. The name Sedna was chosen because its multiple meanings fit the Firm's vision. Sedna is a planet-like body discovered in 2004 by a team of U.S. researchers. Sedna is the most distant confirmed planetary object located in our solar system to date – more than 84 billion miles from the sun. Sedna is slowly traveling towards Earth and will reach its closest point in approximately 70 years. Sedna is named for the Inuit goddess of the ocean, who Inuit hunters must appease if they are to travel safely across the seas. Inspired by this namesake, Sedna Law strives to ease the journey of travelers from afar.

Phonetically, Sedna closely approximates the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation of the characters or “xin de” which translates as “new virtue.” Sedna Law strives to offer virtuous and ethical legal services to our clients. From helping family members immigrate to the United States to bringing necessary and key employees for businesses, our Firm approaches each case with expertise and creativity. The guiding objective of Sedna Law is to provide fair and honest assessments of individual immigration cases – to deal openly with its clients, providing diligent and competent representation at a reasonable cost.

Melissa R. Victor is a well-respected attorney in Southeastern Massachusetts. She is an expert in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate an Trust Administration, Guardianships, Elder Law, Medicaid and Real Estate matters. She graduated from the State University of New York College at Oswego in 1994. She then attended New England School of Law in Boston, where she graduated Cum Laude in 1997. Attorney Victor is admitted to practice law in both the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York.

Attorney Victor is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). She has been a guest speaker on the show "Legal Beagles" as well as "Hometown Talk" on 1530 AM. She has also been quoted in various newspapers including the Metro West Daily News. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at her alma mater, New England School of Law, where she teaches Wills, Estates and Trusts II. Attorney Victor has also presented hundreds of estate planning seminars for religious organizations, non-profits, social groups and such financial organizations as Merrill Lynch, H.R. Block, Bridgewater Savings Bank and Advest.

Kevin W. Gaughen, Jr. joined the firm in August of 2009 from the Norfolk County District Attorneys office. Gaughen served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Wrentham, Quincy, Stoughton and Dedham District Courts and as the Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Brookline District and Juvenile Courts. Attorney Gaughen is known for his zealous trial advocacy. In a recent appeals court case, opposing counsel characterized him as to have "pummeled into the jury's consciousness"1 important portions of the case. The case was decided in his client's favor.

Attorney Gaughen is a graduate of American University where he was awarded a B.A. Gaughen received a Juris Doctorate degree from Suffolk University Law School. Gaughen was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2007.

Attorney Gaughen concentrates his practice in the areas of Criminal Law, Litigation and Family Law.

Attorney Gaughen is a member of various professional associations including the Massachusetts Bar Association, Boston Bar Association, Norfolk County Bar Association and Plymouth County Bar Association.


1. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appeals Court. 2009-P-0154. Commonwealth v. Francis Fisher. Brief for the Defendant.

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.

The Law Offices of Michael T. Baker with offices in MetroWest Boston and Plymouth specialize in estate planning, elder law, asset protection and business law services, tailor-made to a client’s particular needs and wishes. Our legal counsel is essential - whether you have a growing family, are planning to retire, are investing in property, or are starting or exiting a business - to protect your assets today and efficiently transfer your wealth tomorrow.