Board of Governors' Election

Board of Governors Election Starts April 1

Online balloting will begin April 1 and conclude April 15. An email containing your personalized ballot link will be sent from Intelliscan on April 1st. Members who have not voted by April 7 will receive an email reminder.

Because the NHBA Board of Governors ballot is sent as a bulk email message from Intelliscan, it may end up in your email application’s spam filter. To ensure that you receive your ballot, please add NHBA@intelliscaninc.net to your “safe senders” list.

If you did not receive a ballot or need assistance, please contact Andrew Arbitell with Intelliscan at aarbitell@intelliscaninc.com or 610-935-6172.

Officers

Kathleen M. Mahan: Nomination by Board of Governors
President-Elect

Kate is a Litigation Partner at Hinckley Allen, located in their Manchester, New Hampshire office. She practices in a wide range of intellectual property matters, including trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as business disputes related to corporate governance, non-compete conflicts, contract actions and other professional disagreements in both state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings, and appeals.

Kate received her J.D., cum laude, from Suffolk University and her B.A., cum laude, from Saint Anselm College. Prior to joining Hinckley Allen, Kate worked at a business boutique law firm for more than twelve years and clerked for both the New Hampshire Supreme Court and the New Hampshire Superior Court.

Kate is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Foundation Board of Directors as well as the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Committee on Cooperation with the Courts and the Federal Court Advisory Committee for the New Hampshire Federal District Court. She also is a long-time member of the Daniel Webster-Batchelder Inn of Court. Outside the legal profession, Kate serves on the board of her local food pantry, as well as on the Saint Anselm College Alumni Council.

Statement of Interest

I write to express my interest in becoming President-Elect of the New Hampshire Bar Association, Board of Governors.

As a New Hampshire native and a member of this Bar for the last seventeen years, I have had the opportunity to observe first-hand some of the best that the New Hampshire Bar has to offer and some of the challenges that it faces. Serving as vice-president for the last year, member-at-large for four years, and as New Hampshire’s Young Lawyer Delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates before that, I have had the privilege of representing this Bar locally and nationally, while serving as an active conduit between the Association and its members. During this time, I have taken great pride in addressing concerns and other important issues that have arisen that impact the practice in this state and supporting the ongoing work of the Association and the Bar to maintain a valuable, effective and supportive bar association for all of the members.

It would be an honor to serve as President-Elect, to serve our members, and to help the NHBA achieve its mission.

Derek D. Lick: Nomination by Petition for One-Year Term
Vice President

I sincerely ask for your vote for Vice President of the Bar Association, as I am committed to serving you and the profession by supporting this critical organization.

For more than a decade I have volunteered for the Bar Association’s Committee on Cooperation with the Courts, which is charged with fostering communication and cooperation between the bench and the bar. In that role, I have witnessed first-hand the pressing issues facing both those of us who advocate for our clients before the Courts and those in the Judicial Branch who must ultimately make the tough decisions in litigated matters. Additionally, I serve on the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the Rules, having first been appointed by the Bar and then by the New Hampshire Supreme Court. There I have attempted to provide helpful input on rules that govern our practice.

I am a member of Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC of Concord, where I practice in litigation, focusing of late mostly on land use and planning, construction and real estate disputes, and commercial litigation. I also represent insured parties in personal injury and other matters. I am a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the Defense Research Institute and the Tri-State Defense Lawyers Association.

Outside of work, I serve as the Moderator for the Town of Sutton and for the Kearsarge Regional School District in the Lake Sunapee/Kearsarge area of the State. I also serve as Chair of the Sutton Zoning Board, and as member of the Board of Trustees of my local bank, Sugar River Bank. I also serve on the Board of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail and Plan NH. Previously, I served on the Board of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and on the Kearsarge Area Council on Aging, the non-profit organization that operates a senior center serving nine towns in the Mt. Kearsarge area.

I graduated from Boston University with a degree in Journalism and from the Vanderbilt School of Law. Prior to entering law practice, I served as the Press Secretary for U.S. Congressman Martin O. Sabo, the then-Chairman of the House Budget Committee and a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

I reside in Sutton with my wife, Debbie and my two daughters, with my two older sons attending or having just finished college.

Governor-at-Large

Kristin G. Fields: Nomination by Petition for a Three-Year Term
Governor-at-Large

Kristin is an associate at Walker & Varney, PC in Wolfeboro. She graduated from University of New Hampshire School of Law in 2011. Immediately following her admission to the bar in November 2011, she worked as a fellow at New Hampshire Legal Assistance in Concord, assisting low income residents across the state in matters of housing and unemployment benefits. Kristin served as the vice president and treasurer of the Belknap County Bar Association in 2013, served two terms as Belknap County Governor and is currently serving as Governor-at-Large. Prior to joining Walker & Varney, PC in 2022, Kristin was a solo practitioner in Laconia for several years, focusing primarily in the areas of family law (including divorce, parenting, post-divorce issues, guardianships) and estate planning prior to joining Walker & Varney, PC in 2022. In 2018, Kristin received a New Hampshire Bar Pro Bono Program Rising Star award. Kristin is a member of the Family Law, Real Estate and Trusts and Estates sections of the NHBA. Kristin grew up on Holderness and as an adult, she and her family have lived there for almost 20 years. Her daughter, Audrey, is in her freshman year at Gettysburg College.

I have been a Governor-at-Large for the last term on the New Hampshire Bar Association Board of Governors. The Board is made up of many very dedicated members and I feel privileged to be able to work with them on the issues important to the membership of the NHBA. I would be honored to have your support to be able to continue my work as a governor at large to represent the interests of all members.

James A. Shepard: Nomination by Petition for a Three-Year Term
Governor-at-Large

James Shepard is a long time prosecutor with the Department of Safety and also runs a part time solo law practice mainly focusing on family law. He has served as a Governor on the NH Board of Governors as both a County governor and as an At-Large governor. He serves on the NH Bar’s Domestic Violence Advisory panel and was recently awarded the L Jonathan Ross Award for his pro bono service.

I humbly seek your vote in my reelection bid as an at large governor for the NH Bar Association’s Board of Governors. I have been privileged to serve the last three years as one of your at large governors and wish to continue in this important role. I love to talk to lawyers about the services provided by the Bar and listen to their concerns about how the Board can influence the Court and the legislature to make our jobs as lawyers easier.

Robert R. Lucic: Nomination by Petition for the Remaining Two Years of a Three-Year Term
Governor-at-Large

Bob has over 30 years of extensive complex commercial litigation experience throughout the United States including administrative agency proceedings, arbitrations, jury trials and appellate practice involving both multi-national corporations and small businesses. Bob serves a wide range of manufacturing clients, including robotics aerospace, defense and high-tech companies as well as national, state and municipal governments. He regularly counsels clients on intellectual property and antitrust compliance issues. Bob’s practice focus includes patent and trade secret litigation; environmental litigation; stockholder and partnership disputes; and investor disputes. He also provides strategic counseling to industrial clients and small businesses. Bob served for six years as the Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Department

Bob serves as an At-Large Member of the New Hampshire Bar Association Board of Governors. He is also active in the Massachusetts Federal Bar Association.

Bob is the firm’s liaison with Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. He is currently Regional Vice Chair for North America of their Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Practice Group and is the Chair Emeritus for the Environmental Practice Group. He served as worldwide chair from 2017-2019. Bob assisted in organizing conferences on climate change in New York (2017) and Paris (2019).

Bob joined the firm in 1991 after practicing in New York City. He also speaks German and French.

I have been extremely fortunate over the past 30 years to have been a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association. When I was asked to step in and fill a vacancy on the Board of Governors, I was honored and I knew that it was time for me to give something back to this amazing organization that works so hard to keep New Hampshire the superb place it is to practice law. I had always understood that there were many dedicated people within the Bar Association who made everything we take for granted happen, but I was amazed as I attended my first Board of Governors’ meetings just how sincere, thoughtful and hardworking everyone was. It makes me more proud than ever to be a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association. I hope that I can continue to do my part with your support.

Governor-at-Large

Monique M. Schmidt: Nomination by Petition for a Two-Year Term
Cheshire County Governor

Monique Schmidt is a public defender in Keene. In 2011 she graduated from Roger Williams University with a B.A. in American studies. She worked for Greenpeace in Boston, organizing communities around climate change and corporate abuse issues. There she developed a lifelong dedication to public service and advocacy. In 2017, she graduated from Roger Williams University School of Law, became a member of the N.H. bar, and went directly to work for the N.H. Public Defender in Keene.

Though she is a Massachusetts native – born and raised in Boylston, and currently living in Lancaster – Cheshire County is home away from home. She looks forward to the opportunity to serve the Cheshire County and connect with members of the legal community.

I am seeking re-election for a second term to represent Cheshire County on the NHBA Board of Governors. I hope to continue what has been a wonderful opportunity to better understand and contribute to our legal community, here in Cheshire County and across the state. I appreciate your consideration, and would be honored to have your vote.

Barry C. Schuster: Nomination by Petition for the Remaining Year of a Two-Year Term
Grafton County Governor

Barry Schuster has practiced business, real estate and municipal law since 1978. He represents individuals, businesses and municipalities in a wide range of transactions and resolving disputes involving land use, real estate and corporate and business matters. A trial lawyer with thirty-five years of experience, Attorney Schuster regularly appears before municipal boards, litigates in New Hampshire and Vermont trial courts, and has appeared in more than thirty appeals before the Supreme Courts of New Hampshire and Vermont. He also served for many years as a Superior Court mediator.

Attorney Schuster actively participates in a number of civic organizations and has served on the boards of health care organizations, bank advisory committees and numerous community service boards and committees. He was elected to the Lebanon School Board for eight years and chaired the Board for a three year term where he has served for over 20 years. An active cyclist, he and his wife have logged miles biking over hill and dale throughout N.H. and Vt., over mountain passes in Colorado and “cols” of the French Alps.

Attorney Schuster is a graduate of Brown University and Villanova University School of Law and pursued a year of study at the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College.

Attorney Schuster is admitted to practice in New Hampshire and Vermont and is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association, Vermont Bar Association and the Grafton County Bar Association.

In the short time that I have been a member of the Board since my appointment to fill an unexpired term, I have gained a great appreciation for all that the Board does on behalf of our profession and the legal system. As an Upper Valley lawyer, it is not always easy to become acquainted with lawyers around the state but participating, both on-line and in person, has given me the chance to meet many of the committed and skilled lawyers who enhance our profession. Having only served part of an initial term, I would like to continue my service on the Board as a way to connect Upper Valley attorneys to those around the state and to assist with the Board in furthering its professional activities.

Anthony Naro: Nomination by Petition for the Remaining Year of a Two-Year Term
Hillsborough South County Governor

Tony Naro is a criminal defense and domestic relations attorney in private practice at Bernazzani Law, PLLC in Nashua, NH. Prior to entering private practice, he was a public defender for over a decade, working as a trial attorney in Rockingham County, Hillsborough County, and as an Assistant Appellate Defender in Concord. Tony handles misdemeanors and felonies, including assaults, sex crimes, drug case, and DUI offenses. He has argued cases before the New Hampshire Supreme Court, tried dozens of cases before juries across the State, and appears in all ten New Hampshire counties. Tony’s domestic relations practice includes divorce, parenting, child support, restraining order, and guardianship matters in the Family Division. He is also proud of a strong pro bono practice and regularly volunteers for the DOVE Project and 603 Legal. Tony also volunteers his time on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts, and is a member of the Hearings Committee for New Hampshire’s Attorney Discipline System. Tony earned his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts – Boston in political science and Africana studies. He earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in 2008 where he graduated with high honors.

I ask for your vote to serve as the Governor for Hillsborough County – Southern Judicial District. Hillsborough County has been my home since 2016 where I served as a public defender in Nashua and also had occasion to represent clients out of the Northern Judicial District when needed. I am now a trial attorney at Bernazzani Law in downtown Nashua, representing clients in criminal and domestic relations matters.

I have had the honor and privilege of serving as an appointed member of the Board of Governors after Attorney Kara Simard moved her work outside the county. I have thus far enjoyed working with my fellow board members across the state and understand how important the work we do is. I have board experience through two other boards of directors I serve on in New Hampshire. I hope to bring my experience from those boards to strengthen the work of the Board of Governors. If elected, I will work to ensure that the needs and perspectives of our county are represented. With that being said, I hope that in addition to voting for me, you will also reach out to let me know what you would like to see from the bar and what issues you would like addressed as they pertain to our county.

Petar M. Leonard: Nomination by Petition for a Two-Year Term
Merrimack County Governor

Petar Leonard is a shareholder and member of the litigation department at Orr & Reno, in Concord, where he focuses his practice on complex domestic relations issues. Petar currently serves on the Granite United Way Community Impact Committee and is a Collaborative Divorce New Hampshire board member. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, where he teaches family law for the Daniel Webster Scholar Miniseries course. Petar served on the NHBA CLE Committee for several years and enjoyed chairing several family law CLEs during that time. Petar received his law degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and is a graduate of University of Oregon.

Election Statement

I am seeking to be elected to the position of Merrimack County Governor. Since being sworn into the New Hampshire Bar, I have been an involved member in our community. I thoroughly enjoyed my time serving on the CLE committee the many experiences I had during my term of service. Over the years, I have attended many of our Bar events: I was particularly delighted to see the return of our Quid Pro Bono tournament, last summer. I am eager to become more involved in the Bar through this position. I look forward to the opportunity to serve my colleagues and contribute to the important work that the NHBA is doing on behalf of its members and our beloved state.

Paul B. Kleinman: Nomination by Petition for a Two-Year Term
Rockingham County Governor

Paul B. Kleinman is a Boston University Law School graduate and have been a lawyer for the last 35 years since 1986. I have been the managing partner in my law firm, Bouchard, Kleinman & Wright for the past 20 years. My practice focuses on complex civil litigation. I have served as the vice chair on the Bar’s Insurance Committee and have been involved in specific projects such as the Pro Bono call marathons. As I get into the later stage of my career, I would like to give back in a more significant way to the legal community that has been so supportive of me through the years. This is why I seek to serve on the Board of Governors for Rockingham. I do believe that my background and experience will allow me to be a valuable addition to the Board and the NHBA. I previously served on the Board of New Generations and presently serve on the Board of Great Bay Services who provides supports for developmentally disabled individuals. My wife and I have four children and reside in Brentwood, NH. I am currently a member of the Town of Brentwood Planning Board.

Statement of Interest

I have been the Rockingham County Governor for the past 2 years and would request your support for an additional 2-year term. The last two years have been eye opening to discover the immensely positive effects that the New Hampshire Bar Association has upon the legal community. I have enjoyed my experience including meeting new colleagues and reconnecting with old ones. I look forward to continuing to be a positive influence on the Board of Governors as well as the Rockingham County Bar Association. I have been a member of the NH bar since 1987. I have been the managing partner in my law firm, Bouchard, Kleinman & Wright, for the past 22 years. I have served as the vice chair on the Bar’s Insurance committee and have been involved in specific projects such as the Pro Bono call marathons. I presently serve on the Board of Great Bay Services who provides support for developmentally disabled individuals. I am currently a member of the Town of Brentwood Planning Board. I reside in Brentwood, NH, with my family and my firm’s Rockingham office is in Brentwood, where I spend the majority of my time.

Joshua M. Wyatt: Nomination by Petition for the Remaining Year of a Two-Year Term
Strafford County Governor

Josh Wyatt currently serves as the City Attorney for the City of Dover, New Hampshire, where he has worked since 2019. Prior to working for the City, Josh was a shareholder in the litigation department for the law firm Devine, Millimet, & Branch, where he worked for ten years. Prior to working at Devine, Josh served as a New Hampshire Supreme Court law clerk for the Honorable Justice Gary E. Hicks. Josh is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of law and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In law school, Josh was a member of the first graduating class of the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program as well as an intern with the Merrimack County Superior Court. Josh currently lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with his wife Erin and two daughters.

Josh Wyatt is asking for your vote as the Strafford County Governor. Josh is the current Strafford County Governor and has filled that role since December 2022, having been appointed to fill the remainder of the first year of a term for a vacancy that was created when the prior governor moved out of Strafford County.

Lyndsay N. Robinson: Nomination by Petition for a Two-Year Term
ABA Association Young Lawyer Delegate

Attorney Lyndsay Robinson is counsel at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. Her practice consists of general civil litigation with a focus on family law, estate planning, probate administration, immigration, and other similar fields.

Lyndsay graduated from Saint Anselm College with a Bachelor of Arts in politics and a minor in Russian area studies. Upon graduation, Lyndsay attended the University of New Hampshire School of Law. She had the privilege of participating in a rigorous course load and graduating from the University of New Hampshire as a Daniel Webster Scholar. In addition to participating in the honors program, Lyndsay served as a Warren B. Rudman Summer Fellow and an American Bar Association Janet B. Steiger Fellow.

While in law school, Lyndsay had the honor of clerking at the 9th Circuit Manchester Family Division, served as a legal consultant for the State of New Hampshire Court Improvement Project, interned for the State of New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, served as a Rule 36 Student Attorney for the Concord City Prosecutor’s Office, and worked as a law clerk for Tober Law Offices, PA.

Lyndsay is an active member of the Bar and dedicated to serving her community. Lyndsay currently serves as the Chair of the New Hampshire Bar Association Family Law Section, Chair of the New Hampshire Bar Association Gender Equality Committee, and Treasurer of the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association. Lyndsay also serves on the Board for the New Hampshire Bar Foundation. Lyndsay is a member to Chief Justice MacDonald’s advisory board for the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Steering Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.

Lyndsay is actively involved with the New Hampshire Pro Bono DOVE Program actively representing victims of domestic violence and stalking. Lyndsay was awarded New Hampshire Bar Association’s Pro Bono Program Rising Star in 2020 and was also voted Best Attorney in Greater Nashua by the Nashua Telegraph in 2020. Lyndsay was selected as New England Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2021 and 2022.

Lyndsay is beyond grateful for all of the opportunities the NH Bar has given her and would love to give back by serving as the ABA Young Lawyer Delegate. It would be an absolute honor to serve in this capacity.

For questions or assistance please contact Cindy Roberts