NHBA - Bar News Issue

On May 7, 2009, the New Hampshire Bar Foundation will hold its Annual Dinner at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Dinner highlights include presentation of the Frank Rowe Kenison Award, the Robert E. Kirby Award, and new this year, the Founder’s Award.

The NH Bar Foundation welcomes Lewis M. Feldstein, president of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, as the keynote speaker. "Lew Feldstein’s breadth of experience spans 20 years at the helm of one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the country," said David G. Snyder, executive director of the NH Bar Foundation. "He is an inspirational and practical thought-leader who understands the distinctive role of charitable foundations in American society and in New Hampshire in particular."

Attorneys Jacalyn Colburn and Richard Guerriero, directors at NH Public Defender, have been selected by the NH Bar Foundation to share the 2009 Frank Rowe Kenison Award. The Kenison Award recognizes individuals within the legal profession who make substantial contributions to the betterment of New Hampshire citizens through the administration of justice or the advancement of legal thought. "The professionalism of these two attorneys, their contributions to indigent defense, and their influence in promoting the ideals of equal justice for all, justify their sharing this honor," wrote Christopher M. Keating, executive director, New Hampshire Public Defender, in nominating the two.

Charles S. Temple, director of the Criminal Practice Clinic at Pierce Law Center, said, "In my opinion, Jackie and Richard are the foundation of the best public defender program in the nation."

Attorney Jaye L. Rancourt, a partner at Brennan, Caron, Lenehan & Iacopino in Manchester, was selected to receive the 2009 Robert E. Kirby Award. The Kirby Award serves to remind members that decency, courtesy and perspective neither inhibits nor defeats excellent advocacy. Eligible award recipients are attorneys 35 years of age or younger, who demonstrate these traits. "There is no question in my mind that Jaye will be an excellent recipient of this award. Bob Kirby was a person with whom I had a very unique and positive relationship. Jaye Rancourt is cut from the same cloth," said William Brennan in his nomination letter.

The newly established Founder’s Award will be presented to Fred W. Hall, Jr. and Joseph M. Kerrigan. Attorneys Hall and Kerrigan, along with Stanley M. Brown, N. Michael Plaut, and Gordon M. Tiffany who are now deceased, founded the NH Bar Foundation in 1977. In future years, the award will be given in honor of the founders to individuals who play a significant role in advancing the mission of the New Hampshire Bar Foundation.

Established in 1977, the New Hampshire Bar Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation providing grants in support of civil legal services and law-related education. For information regarding the dinner, please contact David Snyder, executive director, at (603) 715-3255.