Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Louges, LLP Firm News Feed

Bob Kilroy and Paul Carey Named Co-Managing Partners

10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0800

MIRICK O’CONNELL NAMES FIRM’S FIRST CO-MANAGING PARTNERS WITH EYE TOWARD THE FUTURE

Paul Carey & Robert Kilroy will succeed long-time leader David Surprenant who is transitioning into a new role after 22 years as Managing Partner.

Worcester, MA – April 1, 2024 - Mirick O’Connell announced today that Paul W. Carey and Robert L. Kilroy have been appointed Co-Managing Partners. It's the first time in the Firm’s history that two partners have been elected to share the role at the Firm. They are taking over from David E. Surprenant, who has served as Managing Partner for 22 years and will continue to offer his strategic guidance in the newly created role of Chairman of the Firm.

“It’s been a privilege to serve as Managing Partner of Mirick O’Connell for the past two decades, and I look forward to devoting more time to the Firm’s strategic initiatives,” said Surprenant. “Transitions are important and healthy for all businesses. Bob and Paul bring diverse backgrounds and extensive experience to the role which will ensure a robust foundation for years to come and position us to write the next great chapter for Mirick.”

“On behalf of the Firm, I would like to express our deep appreciation to David for his steadfast leadership and many contributions these past 22 years. I’m enormously proud of the Firm we are today and the lasting impact we’ve had on our clients and the communities in Worcester, Westborough, and Boston. Mirick is well-positioned to continue building on an impressive legacy to meet the new challenges of a rapidly evolving legal market,” said Kilroy.

Kilroy has been a member of Mirick O’Connell’s Management Committee since 2020 and previously served a chair of the Firm’s Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group and as the Firm’s Marketing Chair. A strategic employment litigator with considerable experience in the courtroom, Kilroy applies the rigor, determination, and discipline instilled in him during his ten years of active-duty service as a United States Marine Corps officer to obtain the best possible outcomes for his clients.

Carey, an integral part of Mirick O'Connell since 1995, is a member of the Firm’s Management Committee and has led the Firm’s Recruiting Committee as Hiring Partner. Carey is a partner in the Firm's Creditors' Rights, Bankruptcy, and Reorganization Group and represents borrowers, lenders, and creditors, navigating through troubled commercial relationships. He has earned the esteemed AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting his exceptional legal skills and ethical standards. His pro bono work also earned him recognition on multiple occasions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts' Pro Bono Honor Roll.

“Our focus remains on serving businesses and individuals in the region, as the Firm has for over 100 years,” said Carey. “We truly make a difference in our clients' businesses and their lives. That commitment, combined with our talent and culture, is what drives success for our clients and our Firm. I look forward to deepening Mirick’s footprint as we move the Firm forward.”

Carey and Kilroy highlighted their shared vision and responsibility to safeguard the Firm’s culture which emphasizes collegiality and a respectful, inclusive workplace for all members of the Mirick O’Connell team. Both Carey and Kilroy will continue to practice and serve their clients while leading Mirick O’Connell, with an emphasis on strategic growth; responsive client service; cost-effective legal representation; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and commitment to the community.

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Mirick O’Connell is a full-service business law firm with offices in Worcester, Westborough and Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1916, Mirick O'Connell combines leadership, experience, responsive client service, and cost-effective legal services. The Firm’s principal service departments are Business; Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy and Reorganization; Construction Law; Education Law; Health Law; Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits; Litigation; Public and Municipal Law; Real Estate and Environmental Law; and Trusts and Estates.

For more information on the Firm, visit: www.mirickoconnell.com.

David Surprenant selected as one of Massachusetts' Top Managing Partners by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

9 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0800

David E. Surprenant

Managing Partner Mirick, O’Connell, DeMallie & Lougee Worcester

With a focus on general corporate and transactional matters, David E. Surprenant has amassed a wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, secured transactions, commercial lending and commercial real estate.

A member of Mirick O’Connell’s Business Group, Surprenant’s representations include facilitating commercial loans on behalf of prominent lenders like Berkshire Bank, Country Bank for Savings, Hometown Bank, M& T Bank, Main Street Bank, Rockland Trust, Santander Bank, TD Bank, UniBank and Webster Five. He has also played crucial roles in negotiating and facilitating significant acquisitions throughout the United States and Canada. His clients include both public and privately owned companies as well as conglomerate entities hailing from Canada, Germany, France and Sweden.

He is involved with numerous charitable organizations, including the Diocese of Worcester, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Worcester, the United Way of Central Massachusetts and the Worcester Business Development Corporation. He previously served as Chairman of the Town of Sutton Finance Committee and its Charter and By-Law Review Committee.

Surprenant has been recognized as Worcester’s “Lawyer of the Year” in Banking and Finance, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisition Law. He holds memberships in the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Worcester County Bar Association.

Surprenant has served on the Mirick O’Connell Management Committee since 1997 and as its managing partner since 2002.

use this link to read the article:
https://massachusettslawyersweekly-ma.newsmemory.com/?special=Managing+Partners+Spotlight

Brian Casaceli and Spencer Holland Elected to Partnership

1 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0800

BRIAN CASACELI AND SPENCER HOLLAND ELECTED TO PARTNERSHIP

Westborough, MA – April 1, 2024 – Mirick O’Connell is pleased to announce that Attorneys Brian M. Casaceli and Spencer B. Holland have been elected to partner.

“Mirick O’Connell’s partnership sets the standard for excellence. I am honored and privileged to be elected to such an esteemed group,” says Casaceli.

Casaceli is a partner in the Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group where he focuses his practice on representing employers in federal and state courts in Massachusetts, as well as before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in defense of claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and wage payment violations. He also represents employers in wage and hour investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Massachusetts Attorney General, and in unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board. Casaceli further counsels employers on day-to-day employment and human resource-related advice issues and has significant experience drafting various employment-related documents including handbooks, policies, employment agreements, and restrictive covenants.

According to Corey Higgins, chair of Mirick O’Connell’s Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group, “Brian has been a valued member of the Employment Team and will continue to contribute to the Firm’s success as a member of the partnership team.”

Casaceli has served in leadership roles outside of the Firm as well. He is the former Board chair, and current Vice Chair of Public Policy, of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce and former co-chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the Worcester County Bar Association. In 2020, Casaceli was selected by the Worcester Business Journal as one of "40 under Forty" professionals honored for his professional excellence and community service. He received his JD, summa cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School in 2014 and his BA, magna cum laude, from Stonehill College in 2011.

Holland is a partner in the Real Estate and Environmental Law Group and the Public and Municipal Law Group. He represents clients buying, selling, financing, and leasing commercial real estate. His client base is diverse, including startups, municipalities, life science companies, educational institutions, and regional developers. He has extensive experience in the acquisition and disposition of commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use properties, as well as the negotiation of office, retail, and solar leases. Holland also has experience advising clients on a broad range of land use matters, including zoning, permitting, and title issues. He received his JD from Boston University School of Law in 2014 and graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Bates College in 2010.

“I have had the great fortune of building my legal career as an associate at Mirick O’Connell. Learning from many collegial, conscientious, and hardworking mentors here has been a privilege. I am delighted to take the next step of joining the Firm’s partnership and I look forward to supporting the Firm’s growth in this new role,” says Holland. Todd Helwig, chair of Mirick O’Connell’s Real Estate and Environmental Law practice added, “I have enjoyed working with Spencer and watching him develop into an exemplary real estate attorney. I am pleased to call him my partner now.”

Both Casaceli and Holland were included in the 2024 edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ and have been named a Massachusetts “Rising Star” by Boston magazine and Law & Politics.

J. Christopher Collins featured in The Worcester Guardian, "'Not a difficult choice;' Chris Collins gets the Isaiah Thomas award"

1 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0800

'Not a difficult choice;' Chris Collins gets Isaiah Thomas award
March 29, 2024|Nonprofit, Profiles/features - The Worcester Guardian

After a considerable hiatus, the prestigious award has returned, recognizing a prominent lawyer in the city who has made significant contributions

WORCESTER—The Isaiah Thomas Award is making a comeback after a six-year hiatus. The prestigious award is presented to a person who demonstrates exceptional dedication to community service, embodying the spirit of Isaiah Thomas.

You see, Isaiah Thomas was a trailblazer in Worcester, pioneering many firsts including the city's inaugural newspaper and bank, serving as its initial postmaster and honorary judge. His lifelong dedication to enhancing his community and nation earned him the title of Worcester’s “first great citizen.”

So it's a big deal to get this award in his name.

This year, the Isaiah Thomas Award is being presented to J. Christopher Collins, an attorney at Mirick O'Connell, who has a remarkable history of service and leadership in Central Massachusetts.
"I was very surprised [to have been chosen],” Collins told the Worcester Guardian. "It has been a while since the award has been given out so it was not even something to be dreaming about. The moment I found out, I just thought about all the previous winners and how humbling it was to be part of this group of people who have done so much for the community. I am beyond grateful."

With more than 30 years of experience, Collins is renowned for his expertise in life, health, and disability insurance matters. But beyond his professional achievements, Collins has made an indelible mark on the Worcester community.

Collins lives in Sterling but said he "does his living" in Worcester. With more than three decades of experience representing the life and health insurance industry, he has been based in Worcester since 1984. A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and Vermont Law School, Collins is admitted to the Massachusetts Bar, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Married to Catherine Zimmer Collins, he is a proud parent to Sarah and Daniel, both residing in Los Angeles. Currently serving on the Board of Trustees at the College of the Holy Cross and on the Council at the American Antiquarian Society, Collins also co-chairs the ongoing capital campaign for Nativity.

Collins's extensive involvement includes serving on numerous nonprofit boards, such as the Nativity School, American Antiquarian Society, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and Worcester Art Museum. He has also chaired campaigns for organizations such as the United Way of Central Massachusetts and ArtsWorcester.

Growing up in Walpole, Collins attributes his inclination toward philanthropy to the dynamics of small-town living. His parents operated a jewelry and gift store, while his uncles ran a flower shop and a news and gift store, at which people would line up to buy the newspaper. He and his brothers, too, worked as paperboys, embodying the quintessential charm of a tight-knit small town, where familiarity abounds, and everyone knows everyone.

"We got the feel for what makes a town a community," Collins said. "Then off to Holy Cross where the Jesuit mission of being with and for and with others was our motto. We were challenged to use the privilege of a Holy Cross education not just for ourselves but for the broader world around us. I bought into it hook, line, and sinker. After law school, I had the amazing good fortune of being hired into the law department at the Paul Revere Life Insurance Company, which was headquartered in downtown Worcester. The leadership of the company was emphatic that we were to find a way to be involved in the community. It was a great corporate culture. I finally got the chance to serve, and with this background, I jumped in with both feet. It's been an incredible ride."

Urged to name "a favorite" in terms of volunteering, Collins said, "It's hard to choose, but I would say the Nativity School of Worcester. Nativity is truly a transformative island of hope for the students who go there. It merged my love of Jesuit education with helping underserved children who live in Worcester. Students at Nativity get a first-rate private school education that focuses on the whole person. We ask them to be scholars, but also to be mindful about shaping their character and to find ways to be generous. To date, Nativity has only served boys in grades 5-8. In July, we are opening the Julie Powers Girls Division. It is going to be terrific."

Initiated by the AdClub of Greater Worcester in 1950, management of the Isaiah Thomas Awards has transitioned between several organizations over the years. Guided by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau (WRRB), Mark W. Fuller, honored in 2014, is spearheading the revival of this esteemed tradition. Fuller teamed up with a committee comprising the past five award recipients, including Warner Fletcher as the most recent, to select this year's honoree.

"Clearly, this was a highly qualified group," Fuller told the Worcester Guardian. "My opinion is that the next award ceremony will be in two years and that the nomination process will be vastly different."

Fuller said that the Isaiah Thomas award is essentially a "citizen of the year" recognition, once the most prestigious of its kind in Worcester.

"It was in the best interests of the community at large to reestablish it," said Fuller. "Isaiah Thomas was arguably one of the first great citizens of Worcester. The award recognizes the value of good citizenship and the giving of an individual’s time, talent, and treasure. The committee hopes to incent others to aspire to be civic leaders and volunteers."

The nominating committee discussed verbally a list of potential honorees, explained Fuller, and it did "come down to a chosen few."

"Ultimately, Chris was chosen, as he emulated the qualities that the committee was looking for," said Fuller. "Those included a long period of leadership for nonprofit organizations. He served on multiple boards. He chaired boards and led fundraising campaigns. He worked most of his career in Worcester. Frankly, it was not a difficult choice."

Collins expressed his deep affection for Worcester, rooted in his fascination with its rich history spanning from the era of Native Americans through its pre-colonial and colonial periods, the Industrial Revolution, and its resurgence as a hub for education and medicine.

"When you appreciate what has happened here under Worcester skies," said Collins, "it is truly an amazing place to live and work and be part of the present community shaping Worcester’s future. You need to get behind some of the facades of the great institutions to see what is happening every day in the city. I never get tired of learning things about the city I did not know."

Honor Collins for his outstanding contributions to Worcester and beyond on Friday, April 5, at Mechanics Hall. The evening starts with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. followed by the program and dinner at 7 p.m.

Grace Roessler presented an online seminar for MCLE, "Protocols for Dealing with Pro Se Litigants in the Probate & Family Court"

28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0800

A litigator’s toolkit for successful case management and resolution with pro se litigants

The steep rise of pro se litigants, individuals who seek to represent themselves in court, forces lawyers to recalibrate their litigation approaches to account for the pro se litigant’s general unfamiliarity with court procedure, filings, discovery, and evidentiary rules. A good lawyer makes crucial changes to their strategy, including introductions, service, communications, presentation in court, and finalization of agreements.

Join our expert as we explore key differences between litigating against a represented party versus a pro se litigant, and adjustments the lawyer may need to make to ensure the case progresses smoothly and the client’s expectations are managed.

Register at www.mcle.org
ON DEMAND WEBCAST View after Friday, April 19, 2024 Program # 2240240WBA

Chris Collins Published in For The Defense, "In Multi-Life Individual Disability Plans, a Unique Case Can Be Made for Its Application"

12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0800

As the disability marketplace continues to mature, more and more large disability plans, use multi-life individual noncancellable disability insurance as the coverage platform.