THE NH BAR Foundation has announced that it will present its annual Robert E. Kirby Award to attorney Jennifer L. Parent of the law firm McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton.

Parent will receive the award at the Bar Foundation’s Annual Dinner, to be held Thursday, May 22, at C.R. Sparks in Bedford (see details on this below). The Kirby award is presented to an attorney 35 years old or younger, recognizing outstanding professionalism and civility.

The NHBF established the award in 1996 to honor the memory of Bob Kirby, a young lawyer "of great skill, civility and good humor" who died that year at the age of 35. Kirby was an attorney with the Concord law firm Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell.

The Kirby Award recipient – chosen by a committee of judges from the U.S. District and NH Supreme, Superior, probate and district courts – is an attorney 35 years old or younger who demonstrates the traits of civility, courtesy, perspective and excellent advocacy "that are the inevitable characteristics of our best lawyers."

Parent earned her law degree summa cum laude from Suffolk University in 1995, where she earned the prestigious Daniel J. Fern Award for the highest grade-point average. She was admitted to the NH Bar the same year and joined the McLane firm’s litigation department. "Since that time, she has built a legal reputation for thoroughness, dedication and skill, both internally at McLane and externally in the New Hampshire legal community," said fellow McLane attorney Jeanmarie Papelian in support of Parent’s nomination for the Kirby Award. Earlier this year, Parent was made a director of the McLane firm.

In 1999, Parent helped to found the NH Women’s Bar Association, NH’s first statewide women’s bar association. She recently completed a term as president of the association and now serves as its immediate past president. She led the NHWBA in organizing and raising funds for its 2002 celebration of the "First 100 Women" admitted to the NH Bar.

Parent serves as a mentor to young attorneys through her work as a district representative for New Hampshire and Massachusetts for the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division and as a member of the NH Bar Association’s New Lawyers Committee. She is an active member of the Manchester and Nashua Bar Associations and the NH Trial Lawyers Association, as well as the ABA and its Employment and Litigation Sections.

A number of Parent’s current and past colleagues at McLane nominated her for the Kirby Award. "I had the privilege of knowing Bob Kirby and certainly see the qualities of civility, courtesy and excellence in advocacy that he portrayed reflected in Jennifer Parent," said McLane attorney Bruce W. Felmly. "We have worked together extensively in the trial of civil matters, and I have daily opportunities to see her interacting with clients, opposing attorneys and members of the bench. In every respect, Jennifer portrays excellence and courtesy in her communications and dealings. She is in every respect a perfect candidate for this significant award."

Attorney Kelly A. Ayotte, a former colleague of Parent, described Parent as "a diligent and talented attorney who represents her clients zealously while treating opposing counsel with courtesy and respect."

"In my view, Jennifer represents the ideals that embody the Robert Kirby Award. She is committed to the betterment of the profession, she is an excellent attorney and she is a truly caring person," Ayotte added.

"In her seven years of practicing law, she has not only displayed excellent advocacy, trial and technical skills, but has also made significant contributions to her professional and civic communities. Her positive attitude is exemplified in the broad smile that greets everyone she meets," added Papelian.

Jack B. Middleton said that Parent "exemplifies the best traits in our young lawyers, their commitment to excellence in their practice, and their willingness to devote their time and energies to the betterment of their profession."

Parent said that she felt "humbled and thrilled" to be named this year’s Kirby Award winner. "It’s an honor to be recognized for demonstrating the traits exemplified by Robert Kirby," Parent said. "In striving to be an effective advocate, it’s important to be professional and civil."

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