NH Bar Association’s Midyear Meeting 2025
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Schedule
Gender Equality Breakfast
CLE Seminars
Awards
Post-Event Social
Schedule
Schedule at a Glance
| 7:15 – 8:30 a.m. | Gender Equality Breakfast (separately ticketed event) Former US Rep. Annie Kuster, Speaker Presentation of the Philip S. Hollman Award for Gender Equality |
| 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. | Registration and Check-In / Continental Breakfast / Exhibitor Showcase |
| 8:45 – 9:15 a.m. | President’s Welcome / Remarks from Chief Justice Gordon J. MacDonald / In Memoriam NHBA President Derek D. Lick, Chief Justice Gordon J. MacDonald |
| 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. | CLE: Self-Evident Truths: Principles from the Revolutionary Era Embodied in State Constitutions Professor Robert F. Williams (ret.), Rutgers Law School |
| 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Refreshment Break / Exhibitor Showcase |
| 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. | CLE: The Important Work of Building and Structuring the New Hampshire Constitution Hon. N. William Delker, New Hampshire Superior Court |
| 10:45 – 11:30 a.m. | CLE: The Vitality of the New Hampshire Constitution Professor Lorianne Updike Schulzke, Visiting Fellow, Information Society Project, Yale Law School |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | CLE: Why History Matters to the 21st Century Lawyer Moderated by Hon. N William Delker, New Hampshire Superior Court |
| 12:15 – 1:45 p.m. | Business Meeting / Honors and Awards Luncheon |
| 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | CLE: Evaluating Artificial Intelligence Platforms Panelists: Moderated by NHBA President-Elect Bob Lucic, chair of the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence |
| 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. | Refreshment Break / Exhibitor Showcase |
| 3:15 – 3:25 p.m. | CLE: The Power of Engagement NHBA President Derek D. Lick |
| 3:25 – 4:00 p.m. | CLE: The Importance of Community Engagement Panelists: Moderated by New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice James P. Bassett (ret.) |
| 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. | CLE: Court Initiatives Supporting Access to Justice: How Attorneys Can Help People and the Courts Moderated by New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Melissa B. Countway |
| 4:45 – 6:00 p.m. | Networking Social sponsored by the NHBA New Lawyers Committee All are welcome – no ticket or RSVP required. DoubleTree Hotel – Penstock Room |
Gender Equality Breakfast
Breakfast Speaker:
Former US Rep. Annie Kuster
Annie McLane Kuster is an experienced attorney, public policy advocate, and former member of Congress who represented New Hampshire’s Second District from 2013 to 2025.
During her tenure in the House of Representatives, Kuster was elected to chair the New Democrat Coalition, the largest ideological caucus in Congress. As chair, she played a leading role in bipartisan negotiations during the historic expulsion of the Speaker, the debt ceiling crisis, and government shutdown threats.
While in Congress, Kuster served on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the Farm Bill conference committee.
In 2015, Kuster co-founded the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force to combat the epidemic. She also helped establish the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence.
Kuster graduated from Dartmouth College as part of the College’s third coeducational class and earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Philip S. Hollman Award for Gender Equality
The award, established on the occasion of Judge Hollman’s retirement from the Superior Court bench in 2003, honors Judge Hollman’s efforts as a stalwart advocate for gender equality in the legal system.
Winner to be announced.
February 20, 2026
7:15 – 8:30 a.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown
700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH
CLE Seminars
Self-Evident Truths: Principles from the Revolutionary Era Embodied in State Constitutions
Professor Williams will explore how early state constitutions, drafted in the wake of colonial protest and revolution, incorporated ideas from the Declaration of Independence and other Revolutionary-era principles to craft new forms of government rooted in popular sovereignty; how these state constitutions not only rejected royal or parliamentary authority, but also codified individual and collective rights, setting the stage for later constitutional developments.
Professor Robert F. Williams (ret.), Rutgers Law School
The Important Work of Building and Structuring the
New Hampshire Constitution
New Hampshire was the first state to adopt a constitution – six months before the Declaration of Independence. While the 1776 Constitution was a temporary, wartime measure, the permanent constitution of 1784 is the second oldest constitution in America. Yet, most lawyers know little about its drafting and even less is understood about the thoughts of the framers. Judge N. William Delker will discuss his efforts to collect a comprehensive, online repository of documents relating to the drafting of the New Hampshire Constitution and its amendments.
Hon. N. William Delker, New Hampshire Superior Court
The Vitality of the New Hampshire Constitution
Professor Updike Schulzke will provide insight into the writing of the 1784 New Hampshire Constitution, which weaves the mini civil war between New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York over the Darmouth Valley into the untold story of the New Hampshire constitution’s ultimate success. New Hampshire’s founding story provides an important case study for constitution-writing in American and around the world, as it is home to many firsts – the first modern constitution, first constitutional convention, first ratification, first true popular participation, and first one-issue referendum.
Professor Lorianne Updike Schulzke, Visiting Fellow, Information Society Project, Yale Law School
Why History Matters to the 21st Century Lawyer
With the 250th anniversary of New Hampshire’s first constitution and the Declaration of Independence upon us, such landmarks are important to commemorate the founding of our state and nation. But what practical relevance do the events of the Founding Era have for the practicing lawyer? The New Hampshire Supreme Court, in particular, has a long tradition of looking to this state’s constitution before considering violations of federal constitutional rights. What sources should lawyers consider when developing an argument that a state constitutional right means something different from its federal counterpart? A panel will explore how lawyers can craft state constitutional arguments in light of the history of constitutional provisions, the meaning of constitutional language, and other considerations.
Pamela Phelan, New Hampshire Public Defender, Professor Lorianne Updike Schulzke, Professor Robert F. Williams (ret.).
Moderated by Hon. N. William Delker, New Hampshire Superior Court
Evaluating Artificial Intelligence Platforms
The NHBA’s Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence will discuss practical ways to evaluate the various AI platforms available to attorneys today, as well as ways to use AI in the day-to-day practice of law.
Aaron A. Archambeault, Amy B. Jeffrey, Willow R. Murphy, and Cassandra O. Rodgers
Moderated by NHBA President-Elect Bob Lucic, chair of the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence
The Power of Engagement
NHBA President Derek D. Lick will reflect on how sustained engagement in community service, nonprofit work, and local initiatives has strengthened his professional identity and deepened his impact as a lawyer. He will share how these experiences broaden perspective, build meaningful relationships, and ultimately enhance both effectiveness and fulfillment in legal practice.
Derek D. Lick, NHBA President
The Importance of Community Engagement
Attorneys from diverse backgrounds will share how they became involved with community organizations, courts, schools, and local initiatives. Their stories will illustrate how service builds confidence, expands professional opportunities, and helps lawyers refine judgment, empathy, and practical skills to advance their careers.
Coda D. Campbell, Christopher D. Hawkins, Katherine E. Hedges, Katie A. Mosher, and Rory J. Parnell
Moderated by Hon. James P. Bassett (ret.), New Hampshire Supreme Court
Court Initiatives Supporting Access to Justice: How Attorneys Can Help People and the Courts
I. Overview of current court initiatives that support access to justice, including the Court Navigator Pilot Program, and concrete ways attorneys can assist litigants and support court operations.
II. Discussion of practical opportunities for attorneys to engage with municipal and local government, nonprofits, and community-based service organizations.
III. Examination of civics education, lawyer-teacher partnerships, and initiatives that bring law and civic engagement into classrooms and communities.
Cordell Johnston, Kathleen Reardon, Hon. Talesha L. Saint-Marc, Jennifer Eber, and Martha Madsen
Moderated by Hon. Melissa B. Countway, New Hampshire Supreme Court, Access to Justice Commission Co-Chair
Awards
Vickie M. Bunnell Award for Community Service
This award was instituted in 1998 to honor the memory of Vickie M. Bunnell (“A Country Lawyer”) and to applaud the community spirit that is a hallmark of our profession. It is presented to an attorney from a small firm (four or fewer attorneys) who has exhibited dedication and devotion to community by giving of their time and talents, legal or otherwise.
James P. Cowles
Walker & Varney, PC
James Cowles is a partner at Walker & Varney, PC, in Wolfeboro, where he maintains a broad general practice. His work includes civil litigation, family law, criminal and DUI/DWI defense, personal injury, civil rights, probate matters, and real estate and conservation easements.
He received his BS, magna cum laude, in environmental conservation from the University of New Hampshire (2004) and his JD from Vermont Law School (2008), where he also completed coursework toward an MSEL.
Before entering the legal field, Cowles worked as a community organizer. He began his legal career with the New Hampshire Public Defender in Laconia. He remains deeply active in his community, currently serving as board chair of the Makers Mill in Wolfeboro and as town moderator for Brookfield. He is also participating in the NHBA Civics & Law Outreach Program’s Street Law initiative, partnering with a Brewster Academy history teacher throughout the 2025–2026 school year to engage students in civics education.
Cowles completed the NHBA Leadership Academy in 2015. His past service includes nine years on the board of The Nick in Wolfeboro; nearly seven years on the board of the Appalachian Mountain Teen Project; nine years on the Carroll County Bar Association board; and more than a decade volunteering at Moose Mountains Regional Greenways’ annual Woods, Water, and Wildlife Festival.
He is a member of the New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NHACDL) and the New Hampshire Association for Justice (NHAJ). He has served multiple times as faculty for the NHAJ Trial Academy and has presented at an NHACDL DUI/DWI seminar. He also volunteers with the DOVE Project, representing victims of domestic violence, and with Veterans Legal Justice, assisting service members, veterans, and their families.
Distinguished Service to the Public Award
This award is presented to the nominee who best exhibits service to the public on behalf of the administration of justice.
Andru Volinsky
Andru Volinsky is currently “flunking retirement” by publishing his first book, The Last Bake Sale, writing a weekly Substack column on education, tax policy, and politics, and continuing to litigate school funding cases.
After graduating from the George Washington School of Law – with few honors but one jury trial under his belt – Volinsky began a lifelong effort to defend against the death penalty as a young instructor at the University of Tennessee School of Law. In just two years, he and a fellow instructor defended three capital cases with the help of law students and whatever resources they could gather from the university community.
Volinsky moved to New Hampshire after the birth of his first child and after his wife Amy was laid off during federal cuts to the Legal Services Corporation. He joined the New Hampshire Public Defender in Manchester, where he tried serious felony and murder cases. His prior experience with capital litigation was not widely known at the time, and local prosecutors underestimated the “rookie.”
By 1985, Volinsky had transitioned to private practice – first in Manchester, then in Concord, and later with a regional firm with offices in Manchester and Portland. While building a civil litigation practice, he continued to handle death penalty cases as pro bono counsel. One case, Gray v. Mississippi, brought him before the United States Supreme Court before he turned 30. Another case lasted three decades and resulted in the commutation of his client’s death sentence just five hours before the scheduled execution.
In addition to his death penalty work, Volinsky served as legal counsel for the New Hampshire ACLU in the 1990s and was lead counsel to the plaintiffs in the Claremont school funding litigation for roughly two decades. Although the resulting reforms were never fully implemented, the team of volunteer lawyers that Volinsky led secured a landmark ruling from the New Hampshire Supreme Court holding that the state’s school funding system violated the New Hampshire Constitution. State support for public education rose from six percent to 22 percent over the last 25 years – after that, the rest has been politics.
Award for Outstanding Service in Public Sector/Public Interest Law
The Public Sector/Public Interest Law Award is presented to a member of the Bar, or an organization employing eligible members, with at least five years of service in government, military, law enforcement, or public interest law services (including prosecution, public defense, legal advocacy in low-income communities, or for individuals with disabilities at a nonprofit organization), or at another nonprofit organization.
Heather Cherniske
US Attorney’s Office
Heather Cherniske is an assistant United States attorney for the District of New Hampshire. A New Jersey native, she moved to New Hampshire to attend the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law.
After graduating, Cherniske served as a law clerk at the Rockingham County Superior Court. She then worked as an assistant city prosecutor for the City of Concord before joining the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, where she prosecuted and investigated Medicaid fraud, public integrity offenses, drug distribution cases, and homicides. She later served with the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security, prosecuting unemployment fraud cases for three years.
In addition to her public service work, Cherniske has served in various roles on the New Hampshire Bar Association Board of Governors and actively volunteers at the law school.
Post-Event Social
Midyear Meeting After-Hours Social
Sponsored by the New Lawyers Committee
Penstock Room – DoubleTree Hotel
This event, which is open to all attendees and their guests, begins immediately following Midyear Meeting. Appetizers will be provided, and a cash bar will be available. Registering for the event is encouraged but not required.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Wifi Sponsor
Program Sponsor
Break Sponsor
Tote Bag Sponsor
Law Student Table Sponsor
Please Visit Our Exhibitors!
