About the Bar
Join a NH Bar Association Section!Increase Your Knowledge by Joining a SectionMEMBERSHIP IN ONE or more of the New Hampshire Bar Association's sections provides an opportunity for improving knowledge and skills in a particular practice area. Over 2,500 NHBA members currently belong to one or more of the Bar's 21 sections, which cover a wide array of practice areas from family law to utilities law. Listed below are brief descriptions of all of the NHBA sections. For information regarding section membership, please contact Patty Frechette, Sections Coordinator, at pfrechette@nhbar.org or at (603) 224-6942. Or, download the section sign-up form below.
Section Sign-up Form  ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Melinda Gehris and Ora Schwartzberg, Co-ChairsThis section was formed in February 2001. The section provides a forum for discussing alternative dispute resolution in NH, including training for mediator/arbitrators, ethical rule issues, mediation rules such as the adoption of the Uniform Mediation Act, rules for the R170 mediators, and mediation rules for probate courts and marital courts. This section also keeps the Bar informed about alternative dispute resolution procedures, rules, and precedents nationally and internationally. BUSINESS LITIGATION
Garry Lane, ChairThis section has typically sponsored two-three lunch or breakfast meetings annually, allowing its 170 members to informally discuss topics and procedures relative to the litigation of business related matters.
CHILDREN'S LAW
Katherine Stearns and John Lightfoot, Co-Chairs
This is the NHBA’s newest section having been formed in February 2005. The section seeks to improve the professional knowledge and skill of its members in relation to Children’s Legal Issues by sharing information involved in legal advocacy for children and through gathering and facilitating the dissemination of information relating to issues confronting children in the legal system.
CORPORATION, BANKING AND BUSINESS LAW
Matthew H. Benson and Patrick Closson, Co-Chairs With over 250 members, this section meets periodically to discuss issues of mutual interest. The section also advises members of regional CLE programs in specialized areas of business law, monitors pending legislation affecting this practice area, and contributes articles to Bar News and Bar Journal regarding related issues.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Richard C. Guerriero and Marguerite Wageling, Co-ChairsMembership in this section consists of attorneys who are prosecutors and defense lawyers, in both the private and public sector, and those interested in this area of law. This section, which has been inactive for a few years, is looking to attract members interested in conducting discussions and providing other opportunities for its members to improve their professional knowledge and skills.
ELDER LAW, ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATE LAW
David R. Craig, Chair Established to deal with issues relating to estate planning, Medicaid/ government benefits, and other issues of specific concern to attorneys with a large number of elderly clients, this section has over 350 members. The section meets monthly to discuss issues of mutual concern, and periodically co-sponsors an Elder Law CLE seminar to give updates on the law and legal issues in this area. ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
Maureen Smith and Steven Whitley, Co-ChairsEstablished in 1988, this section has more than 100 members. Meeting monthly, the section focuses on discussing the effects of NH environmental laws; developing CLE programs to assist lawyers in understanding and applying state and federal natural resource statutes and related administrative rules; developing a public education program to instruct interested non-lawyers in their rights and obligations in this area of the law; and meeting with natural science professionals to assure that state environmental laws conform as nearly as possible to scientific principles. FAMILY LAW
Margaret R. Kerouac, ChairThis section, with over 350 members, meets periodically to discuss issues of concern. The section also provides input to the courts on such matters as proposed rules changes and acts as a channel of communication between the judiciary, legislature, state agencies, and the Bar, on matters of common concern. FEDERAL PRACTICE
Gordon MacDonald, Chair Established in 1999, this section provides a forum to help improve the professional knowledge and skills of its members in relation to practice before the Federal Courts in NH and the First Circuit. In addition, the section tries to provide a forum for discussion between bar and bench members and help develop a dialog to improve that relationship. HEALTH LAW
Sarah Knowlton and Andrew Eills, Co-ChairsThis section, established in 1996, provides its members with opportunities to improve their professional knowledge and skills in the practice of health law. Membership in the section consists of attorneys who represent health care providers, health care organizations, insurers and managed care plans, health care consumers or just have an interest in legal issues affecting health care. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
Stephen R. Finch, ChairThe IP section has created a forum for dialogue among academics, in-house counsel, and attorneys from large and small firms in the practice areas of patent, trademark, copyright, licensing, trade secrets and other technology related law. INTERNATIONAL LAW
Lawrence Graves, Chair The section's mission is to enhance the understanding of international law, to promote the rule of law, to educate and to keep the New Hampshire legal community informed of important legal developments across the world, and to provide guidance and support on a wide range of international issues, including trade, immigration, and international human rights law. LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW
Lon Siel, ChairThis section coordinates several substantive programs each year on current labor topics. With over 150 members, the section provides a means for sharing information among those who work as representatives for management, workers, and as neutrals. MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES LAW
Carol M. Stamatakis, Chair This section offers quarterly meetings which provide a forum for members to discuss topics of interest and exchange information pertaining to new developments in providing representation to individuals with disabilities. MILITARY LAW
H. Boone Porter, III, Chair Created in February of 2004, this section is charged with educating the Bar relative to military legal issues arising under federal and state laws affecting soldiers and their families. The section also helps to facilitate the delivery of legal services from members of the Bar to soldiers and their families during times of mobilization. MUNICIPAL AND GOVERNMENTAL LAW
Benjamin D. Frost, ChairWith over 175 members, this section meets ten times a year to discuss topics of mutual interest. These topics include annual legislative updates; discussion of town meeting issues; and municipal utilities, among others. PUBLIC SECTOR LAW
Scott F. Eaton, ChairThis section, established in 1996, meets periodically to conduct discussions and education sessions on issues of common interest to public sector attorneys. REAL PROPERTY LAW
Connie Boyles Lane, ChairIn existence for more than twenty years, this section has grown to over 500 members. Monthly meetings focus on improving the professional knowledge and skill of members in relation to this area of the law. Periodically, the section also updates the Title Examination Standards, which were first adopted in 1954 and are reviewed periodically by the section and its Title Standards Committee.
TAXATION
John Washburn, Chair This section has approximately 100 members. The section co-sponsors the annual "Tax Forum" with the NH Society of CPAs. Members also serve as resources to Bar members on tax-related questions, contribute articles to the Bar Journal and participate in state and regional meetings between practitioners, the IRS and state tax authorities.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY & UTILITIES LAW
F. Anne Ross, Chair This section was formed to bring together attorneys and other professionals who work regularly in the various areas of utility law. Periodic meetings allow members to share information regarding current developments in utility regulation, including new legislation and activities of the public Utilities Commission. WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Christopher Bandazian, ChairThis section, with over 100 members, usually meets quarterly to update members on changes and recent developments in this area of the law. Updated 7/2009
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