The New Hampshire Bar Foundation announces two candidates for the open term on the IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts) Grants Committee: attorneys Jamie N. Hage and Daniel P. Schwarz. The committee is responsible for reviewing IOLTA grant applications and making funding recommendations to the Bar Foundation Board of Directors.

The Bar Foundation’s IOLTA Grants support nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal services to the disadvantaged, law-related education programs, and other projects approved by the NH Supreme Court. During the week of July 16, ballots were mailed to New Hampshire attorneys who participate in IOLTA. Ballots must be returned to the Bar Foundation by 5 p.m. on July 31, 2007, to be counted. If you did not receive a ballot and are eligible to vote, please contact Mary White via email: mwhite@nhbarfoundation.org.

The nominees submitted the following candidate statements and biographies:

Nominee Daniel P. Schwarz

Candidate Statement

I wish to serve on the IOLTA Grants Committee because it fosters the public service goals of the Bar and the state by encouraging non-profit organizations to provide new ways to bring civil legal services to the disadvantaged and promotes law related education. I am a believer in increasing the access to the justice system. I have, since I was admitted to the Bar in 1985, been a regular participant in the Pro Bono Referral system. I am also very familiar with the workings of non-profits. I am the chair of the Board of Trustees of Families First. Families First, which provides pre-natal care, primary care, healthcare for the homeless, dental care and family support is dependent on grants for a large part of its funding. Through this, I believe I bring a perspective that will be helpful to the Committee. The IOLTA system allows each bar member to contribute indirectly toward this end through the collection of interest on trust accounts. I would like to work more directly toward that end by continuing the excellent work that the committee has performed over the years and exploring ways in which grants might be made more accessible to new programs and to insure that existing programs that receive the grants are working to keep their organizations responsive to the needs of their constituents.

Biography

Daniel P. Schwarz graduated from Northwestern University in 1979 with a degree in English Literature.  After working in the newspaper industry he went to law school at Boston University, graduating in 1985. He has been a member of the NH Bar since 1985 and a member of the Maine Bar since 1990. He received his legal training at Sheehan, Phinney Bass + Green where he worked from 1985 until 1998, when he formed Flygare Schwarz & Closson with Tom Flygare and Tom Closson. The firm concentrates in employment law.

Schwarz is a trained Rule 170 mediator who regularly serves in Rockingham County. He is also approved as a mediator for the U.S. District Court for the District of NH in employment matters. In addition to his work at Families First, Schwarz is on the Board of Trustees of the Friends of The Music Hall and is the Assistant Umpire-in-Chief for the Portsmouth Little League.

Nominee Jamie N. Hage

Candidate Statement

Jamie N. Hage

As a practicing attorney since 1978, I have provided pro bono legal services throughout my entire legal career to both individuals and non-profit organizations. Whether to advocate for criminal indigents, the disabled, or the elderly, I have always dedicated a portion of my work to reach out to those who would otherwise be unable to obtain legal representation. I am currently the coordinator of my firm’s pro bono service program and we encourage all lawyers in the firm to provide a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono work annually. Additionally, I serve on the NH Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission, a committee of lawyers and business leaders organized to help develop and recommend improvements in our state’s civil justice system.

The IOLTA Grants committee performs a vital role in the funding decisions regarding the IOLTA grant program. I welcome the opportunity and privilege to serve on this Committee. I believe that the grant funds should be allocated fairly and effectively by assessing and balancing the needs of our state and local communities within the funding limits available. As a seasoned lawyer in NH with a broad range of experience in representing the needs of individuals and businesses alike, I believe I have the necessary qualifications to serve as a member of the IOLTA grants committee to uphold and further the mission of the NH Bar Foundation, in promoting access to civil justice and education to all and especially those who are disadvantaged.

Biography

Jamie N. Hage has been a member of the NH Bar since 1978. He is a partner in the law firm of Nixon Peabody LLP with offices in Manchester, NH, and Boston, MA. He is a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Business litigation practice groups and serves on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal trial courts in NH and MA and is also admitted to the First Circuit Court of Appeals and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He currently serves on the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission and is chairman of the subcommittee on delivery of alternative legal services. He is a member of NH’s High Technology Council, and is on the Board of Trustees of the NH Heart Institute at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. He is a past member of the Board of Governors of the NH Trial Lawyers Association and the executive committee of the Manchester Bar Association. He has also served on the Bar Association’s legislative and fee dispute committees. He is a member of various professional organizations including the ABA, ATLA, AIPLA, the Licensing Executive Society and the Intellectual Property law section of the NH Bar Association. Mr. Hage earned his B.A. from Hamilton College and his J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center.

Home | About the Bar | For Members | For the Public | Legal Links | Publications | Online Store
Lawyer Referral Service | Law-Related Education | NHBA•CLE | NHBA Insurance Agency | NHMCLE
Search | Calendar

New Hampshire Bar Association
2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord NH 03301
phone: (603) 224-6942 fax: (603) 224-2910
email: NHBAinfo@nhbar.org
© NH Bar Association Disclaimer