Case List

Commercial Disputes

Hate to Paint, LLC v. Ambrose Development, LLC & Flatley Company
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2023-0076
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
Woodford Family Trust v. Knight Custom Homes
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2021-0344
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
TS & A Motors, LLC d/b/a Kia of Somersworth v. Kia Motors America, Inc.
Citation: 172 N.H. 94, 208 A.3d 429 (2019)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Nelkens v. Kurz & Porter
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2015-0571
Disposition: appeal pending
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Yanusvewski v. Marc & Nathan Auto Serv., Inc.
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2015-0140
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Patil v. Roy & Kelly Construction Co., Inc.
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2014-0498
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
Conant v. O'Meara
Citation: 167 N.H. 644, 117 A.3d 692 (2015)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
In the Matter of Cotran and Cotran
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2011-0216
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
McNeal v. Lebel & Pullman Modular Industries
Citation: 157 N.H. 458, 953 A.2d 396 (2008)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Bil-Ray Home Improvements & Contracting v. Aloe
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2006-0793
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Advanced Polymers, Inc. v. Saber Machine Design Corp.
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2004-0040
Disposition: appeal withdrawn after briefing by settlement of the parties
A&B Lumber Co., LLC v. Vrusho
Citation: 151 N.H. 754, 871 A.2d 64 (2005)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
Synopsis:
Parents owned 28 acres in Northwood, New Hampshire. Their son lived on the land and ran a horse farm. He contracted with a lumber company to build a barn and large horse riding arena. After the son made no payments, the lumber company sued for breach of the contract. Several times the son acknowledged the debt and renegotiated its terms, but never satisfied it. More than six years after the son originally entered the contract, the company sued the Parents for unjust enrichment of their land. I argued on behalf of the Parents that the son's acknowledgment of the debt may have tolled the statute of limitations against the son, but not against the parents. The New Hampshire Supreme Court agreed, ruling that "[m]ere receipt of the benefits of a contract does not suffice" to toll the statute of limitations. "What is required is an admission of liability and a willingness to pay." The court found that the Parents were not a party to the son's contract, nor had they made any promise to pay the lumber company. It thus ruled that the company's suit against the Parents was barred because it was filed beyond the statute of limitations.
B&M Knife Sharpening Service v. General Services, Inc.
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2002-0794
Disposition: parties settled after argument
LaMontagne Builders, Inc. v. Bank of New Hampshire
Citation: 150 N.H. 270, 837 A.2d 301 (2003)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Mosher v. Portsmouth Mobile Homes, Inc.
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 96-141
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
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Land Use & Municipal

Marshall v. Hicks
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2023-0148
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Monagle v. Taylor
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2023-0418
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
McDonald v. Town of Raymond Planning Board & Zoning Board of Adjustment
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2020-0001
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Tarnawa v. Goode
Citation: 172 N.H. 321 213 A.3d 867 (2019)
O'Malley v. Little
Citation: 170 N.H. 272, 169 A.3d 954 (2017)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
Yarborough v. City of Portsmouth, Zoning Board of Adjustment
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2015-0323
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Doerr v. Tuomala (II)
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2014-0516
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
Paz v. Town of Hampstead Planning Board
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2013-0524
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Doerr v. Tuomala (I)
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2012-0598
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Argument: Audio · Video
Granite Acres Property Owners Association v. Montgomery
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2012-0771
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
Town of Amherst v. HJC Realty Trust
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2011-0217
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Town of Wakefield v. McMullin
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2008-0758
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Duxbury-Fox v. Shakhnovich
Citation: 159 N.H. 275, 989 A.2d 246 (2009)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Scanlan v. Town of Hampton
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2006-0171
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Town of Candia v. Blevens
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2005-0147
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Knight v. Teryek & Town of Wolfeboro
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2005-0059
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
Boccia v. City of Portsmouth
Citation: 151 N.H. 85, 855 A.2d 516 (2004)
Synopsis:
Landowner in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, sought to construct a 100 room hotel. His seven-acre triangle of land, however, was zoned for residential use. Although the City's zoning would not allow a hotel on the plot, the trial court judicialy re-zoned because the area had become commercial and there was a 125 room hotel across the street. Due to the odd shape of the lot, the City granted six setback variances from its zoning ordinance. Abutters objected to the variances. Shortly before this case the New Hampshire Supreme Court had determined that its former standard for variances was too restrictive to comply with New Hampshire's strong constitutional property rights, and thus the law was in flux. I argued on behalf of the Abutter that a smaller hotel was buildable without variances, and that the smaller hotel was commercially reasonable. Rearranging the law of variances in New Hampshire, the Supreme Court for the first time enunciated differing standards for area and use variances, and ruled that in the future financial factors may be considered in area variances. The court remanded for findings in light of the new standards. Subsequent variance cases repeatedly cite the standards Boccia created, and it has become a leading precedent in law journals and legal commentary.
Quilty v. Marino
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 95-252
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Glick v. Naess
Citation: 143 N.H. 172, 722 A.2d 453 (1998)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Eaton v. Town of Stoddard
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 96-815
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Gurliaccio v. Griffin
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 96-191
Disposition: decided by order after argument
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Probate & Trust

Guardianship of T.W. (II)
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2020-0219
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
In re Simone Garczynski Irrevocable Trust (II)
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2019-0645
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Guardianship of K.M.
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2018-0072
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
In re Simone Garczynski Irrevocable Trust (I)
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2017-0487
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Guardianship of T.W. (I)
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2015-0591, certiorari denied sub nom., Wyatt v. Gilmartin, 137 S.Ct. 2297 (2017)
Disposition: decided by confidential opinion
Estate of Buckless
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2015-0064
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
Name Change of Alexander Goudreau
Citation: 164 N.H. 335, 55 A.3d 1008 (2012)
Argument: Audio · Video
In re Florence Mae Tarr Trust
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2011-0817
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Estate of Finnegan
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2010-0069
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Estate of Porter
Citation: 159 N.H. 212, 977 A.2d 1026 (2009)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Synopsis:
There is no "common law marriage" in New Hampshire. But if one's long-time live-in partner dies, one can claim to inherit that person's estate under some circumstances. In this case, after the woman died, the putative husband entered a settlement in probate court of his inheritance claims such that he could maintain a life estate in their shared home on the condition that he made certain payments to the estate of the deceased. When the payments were missed, the probate court enforced the agreement and returned the property to the estate. On appeal the putative husband argued the probate court lacked jurisdiction to enforce the agreement because probate courts historically do not have authority over real property. I argued on behalf of the Estate that the Legislature had expanded the jurisdiction of the probate court to include issues involving the real property of the deceased that was "in" the deceased's estate, and it could thus enforce the agreement. The Supreme Court agreed, holding that the old law contained in Fleming v. Aiken and Estate of O'Dwyer had "been superseded by the current statutory scheme," of RSA 547 and RSA 554 and that therefore the "probate court’s jurisdiction encompassed enforcement of the settlement."
Estate of Goudreault
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2007-0720
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
Philbrick v. Thomas
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2007-0486
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Normand & Shaughnessy, PA v. Marineau
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2006-0090
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
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Foreclosure, Mortgages, Condos

New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority v. Pinewood Estates Association
Citation: 169 N.H. 378, 149 A.3d 282 (2016)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
Synopsis:
When owners of condominium units don't pay their condo fees, there are generally only two entities who might be liable - the lender holding the owner's mortgage, or the condominium association. In this case, the owner died leaving an unpaid arrearage. Her mortgage was then foreclosed on, and the association cut off common services to the unit. I argued, on behalf of the lender, that New Hampshire's condominium statute puts the burden of unpaid fees on the association. Quoting my brief, the supreme court agreed, writing that "because [the lender], as the post-foreclosure owner, is not responsible for [the dead woman's] debt, [the association] cannot continue to withhold services from the unit based upon the pre-foreclosure debt." The court also held that under the statute, the association has other remedies, such as getting a lien on the unit.
East Park Condominium Association v. Blais
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2014-0777
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Daley v. Babigian
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2014-0371
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Cheney v. Town of Newmarket
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2014-0139
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Lancelot Court Condominium Association v. Tompson
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2011-0903
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Saraswati Mandiram, Inc. v. G&G LLC &a.
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2007-0572
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Argument: Video
Buchholz v. Waterville Estates Association
Citation: 156 N.H. 172, 934 A.2d 511 (2007)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Synopsis:
The town of Campton, New Hampshire acquired by tax deed properties located in a condominium development which included residences, open space, and recreation amenities. By auction buyer acquired an unimproved lot in the condominium. The condo Association sought to collect condo dues and assessments which arose after the tax deed, but buyer refused to pay. I argued for the Association that despite the tax sale, buyer was liable for the assessments. The New Hampshire Supreme Court agreed. It wrote that "the question of whether condominium covenants survive a tax sale is novel in this jurisdiction." It held that "condominium declarations are covenants running with the land," and that condo owners buy their interests "both burdened by the assessment obligation and benefited by the function that the assessments serve." It held that the buyer "took title subject to the condominium covenants," and was therefore liable for the assessments.
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Financial Crime & Forfeiture

United States v. Assorted Jewelry Approximately Value of $44,328.00
Citation: 833 F.3d 13 (2016)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Synopsis:
Upon being arrested for drug dealing, the defendant's apartment was searched. In several places in the kitchen FBI agents found drugs, a gun, and some jewelry: "two men's watches, several men's chains and bracelets, a man's ring, several women's bracelets, and various other ornaments, together valued at approximately $44,328." I argued that the proximity of the jewelry to the drugs did not prove it was proceeds of a drug crime, and therefore the government cannot take the property. The federal appellate court wrote that "the undisputed facts give rise to two possible stories: either [the defendant] was a drug dealer who kept his valuables in his kitchen, and this included a collection of jewelry that he had amassed through legitimate means, potentially over the span of his life; or [he] was a drug dealer who kept his valuables in his kitchen, and this included a collection of jewelry that he had purchased with drug money." The court thus held the federal government had not proved the jewelry was proceeds of a crime.
United States v. Seng Tan
Citation: 674 F.3d 103 (2012)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Mac Noah
Citation: 130 F.3d. 490 (1st Cir. 1997)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
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Family Separation & Support

In the Matter of Landgraf and Landgraf
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2022-0693
Case Materials: My Brief ·
In the Matter of Nixon and Nixon
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2023-0614
In the Matter of Dascenzo and Paul
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2023-0128
Case Materials: My Brief ·
In the Matter of Froebel-Fisher
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2022-0483
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Michelle Nadeau v. Justin Nadeau
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2022-0290
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Braun & Braun
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2021-0282
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Buckley & Buckley
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2020-0336
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Blaisdell and Blaisdell
Citation: 174 N.H. 187, 261 A.3d 306 (2021)
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Mazri and Mazri
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2020-0564
Disposition: parties settled
In the Matter of Allen and Allen
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2019-0241
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Koroma and Koroma
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2019-0199
Disposition: appeal withdrawn after settlement of the parties
In the Matter of Joyce and Joyce
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2019-0226
Disposition: Parties settled at mediation
In the Matter of Walsh & Walsh
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2016-0606
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Logan & Logan
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2015-0588
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
In the Matter of Wigand & Wigand
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2016-0461
Disposition: parties settled at appellate mediation
In the Matter of Allen and Holdsworth
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2016-0107
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
In the Matter of Sebastian & Malinick
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2015-0586
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Ross & Ross
Citation: 169 N.H. 299, 146 A.3d 1232 (2016)
In the Matter of Harman & McCarron
Citation: 168 N.H. 372, 129 A.3d 311 (2015)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Synopsis:
A couple got divorced, then reconsidered and wanted to withdraw their divorce, but the Family Court delined. Because there was no party objecting, the New Hampshire Supreme Court appointed Attorney Gordon to file a brief as amicus curiae to defend the Family Court's judgement. The Supreme Court held that because divorce is committed to the legislature by the New Hampshire constitution, and there is no statute allowing an un-divorce, the couple's remedy is to get re-married.
In the Matter of Stack & Stack
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2014-0615
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
In the Matter of Sarette & Sarette
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2014-0574
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Wallack and Floros (II)
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2013-0790
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Crossman & Crossman
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2013-0681
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
In the Matter of Herring & Bowen
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2013-0765
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Synopsis:
The parties had a three-day divorce trial in December 2012, but the court delayed its decision nine months until September 2013. Meanwhile, shortly after trial, husband he was laid off from his engineering job, which he promptly reported to the court. In its eventual decision, the family court acknowledged husband's circumstances, but declined to hear evidence of the parties' changed situation. Rather it suggested that matter could be dealt with in a later modification proceeding. The New Hampshire Supreme Court disagreed. It held that although the family court has broad discretion to manage proceedings before it, on the facts here, "the trial court's decision not to reopen the record … was clearly unreasonable to the prejudice of the [husband]." The Supreme Court remanded for a hearing in which post-trial evidence could be considered.
In the Matter of Smith and Smith
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2013-0372
Disposition: parties settled at appellate mediation
Tello v. Tello (III)
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2012-0686
Disposition: appeal dismissed as moot after briefing
Case Materials: My Brief ·
In the Matter of Houle and Houle
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2012-0025
Disposition: appeal withdrawn after briefing by settlement of the parties
Case Materials: My Brief ·
In the Matter of Wallack and Floros (I)
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2012-0388
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Tello v. Tello (II)
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2012-0112 & -0113
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Brownell & Brownell
Citation: 163 N.H. 593, 44 A.3d 534 (2012)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
Synopsis:
Husband and Wife were married for 13 years. Husband received social security and veteran's disability benefits. Husband was also the beneficiary of his mother's estate, but he spent it all, much on illegal drugs. I represented the Wife, who was left penniless, homeless, and destitute. The family court awarded her alimony, and also a portion of the now-squandered inheritance. On appeal, the New Hampshire Supreme Court held that veteran's disability benefits can be used to pay alimony because they are for the purpose of supporting the vet and his family. The Supreme Court also held that even though Husband had squandered his inheritance, Wife could be awarded a portion of it.
Tello v. Tello (I)
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2011-0648
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Raybeck and Raybeck
Citation: 163 N.H. 570, 44 A.3d 551 (2012), second appeal after remand declined
Argument: Audio · Video
Byrne v. Hart
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2010-0720
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
In the Matter of Taylor and Taylor
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2010-0250
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Matyas and Toth
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2009-0623
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
In the Matter of Scott and Pierce
Citation: 160 N.H. 354, 999 A.2d 229 (2010)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
In the Matter of Kirby and Kirby
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2009-0244
Disposition: appeal settled during supreme court oral argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court Approval of Settlement ·
Argument: Audio ·
In the Matter of Summerville and L'Heureux
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2009-0365
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Sukerman and Sukerman
Citation: 159 N.H. 565, 986 A.2d 467 (2009)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
In the Matter of Burr and Burr
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2008-0777
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
In the Matter of Gabrielli and Gabrielli
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2008-0106
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Sparks v. Larson
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2007-0789
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Maynard and Maynard
Citation: 155 N.H. 630, 930 A.2d 1195 (2007)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Synopsis:
Couple had a traditional marriage in which Husband earned money outside the house while wife raised the children, earned some sporadic and limited income, and participated in volunteer activities. After Husband sought a no-fault divorce, wife took no action in the legal case. She did not file an answer, did not request discovery, and did not seek alimony. The trial court thus defaulted her. Husband had proposed that in lieu of alimony, he would continue to pay wife's monthly living expenses, including mortage, property taxes, utilities, and insurance. When wife finally participated in the case, she requested alimony, but the trial court refused because of the default, and wife appealed. I argued for Husband that he "should not be held accountable for the wife's failure to participate in these proceedings." Construing New Hampshire's divorce statute and court rules, the Supreme Court agreed, holding that the lower court was not wrong in denying wife's tardy request for alimony and in approving Husband's alternative.
In the Matter of Sarvela
Citation: 154 N.H. 426, 910 A.2d 1214 (2006)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
Synopsis:
Wife sought divorce on the grounds that Husband was a "habitual drunkard" where he had become addicted to prescription painkillers following surgery. I argued for Husband that New Hampshire's divorce statute, which predates the existence of prescription drugs, contemplates the consumption of alcohol, not other substances. The New Hampshire Supreme Court found that standard definitions of drunkard refer to alcohol and "do not encompass one who habitually abuses or is impaired because of prescription drugs." Husband had lost a series of jobs due to his addiction. Wife claimed he was therefore voluntarily underemployed, and that therefore his pre-job-loss income should be imputed to him for the purposes of calculating child support. I argued that Husband's addiction was not voluntary. The Supreme Court agreed and remanded the case for recalculation of support.
In the Matter of Echavez and Echavez
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2005-0674
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
In the Matter of Bayly and Bayly
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2005-0313
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Maheu and Maheu
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2005-0459
Disposition: appeal withdrawn after briefing by settlement of the parties
Case Materials: My NOA ·
Robertson v. Robertson
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2005-0148
Disposition: appeal withdrawn after decision in related case
Case Materials: My NOA ·
In the Matter of Donovan and Donovan
Citation: 152 N.H. 55, 871 A.2d 30 (2005)
Argument: Audio ·
In the Matter of Angley-Cook and Cook
Citation: 151 N.H. 257, 855 A.2d 431 (2004)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
In the Matter of Jawa and Jawa
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2001-495
Disposition: decided by order after argument
In the Matter of Driscoll and Driscoll
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 99-823
Disposition: appeal withdrawn after briefing by settlement of the parties
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Fabich v. Fabich
Citation: 144 N.H. 577, 744 A.2d 615 (1999)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Haptonstahl v. Haptonstahl
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 97-329
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Sheil-Friedline v. Friedline
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 94-798 , certiorari denied, 519 U.S. 811 (1996)
Disposition: decided by order after argument
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Parenting & Adoption

Name Change of Pottie
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2023-0165
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Termination of Parental Rights of H.C.
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2022-0257
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
Guardianship of Lunsford Children
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2020-0079
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
Adoption of J.P.
Citation: 173 N.H. 453, 242 A.3d 823 (2020)
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Oliver and Oliver
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2017-0630
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Termination of Parental Rights of L.Z.
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2016-0128
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
In the Matter of Rickert & Rickert
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2013-0490
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Guardianship of Madelyn B.
Citation: 166 N.H. 453, 98 A.3d 494 (2014)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter Napier & Napier
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2012-0540
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Argument: Audio ·
In re Sophia-Marie H.
Citation: 165 N.H. 332 (2013)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Miller and Todd
Citation: 161 N.H. 630, 20 A.3d 854 (2011)
Disposition: discretionary appeal declined, then accepted after reconsideration
Argument: Audio · Video
Synopsis:
Mother made false allegations that father sexually assaulted their children. This lead to long separations of the children from their father, and to mother generally prevailing in the parents' custody contest. The New Hampshire Supreme Court held that a parent should not gain from such false allegations, and vacated the custody award.
In the Matter of Kurowski and Voydatch
Citation: 161 N.H. 578, 20 A.3d 306 (2011)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
Synopsis:
Mother homeschooled child for religious and other reasons. Father preferred child to be more broadly educated in public school. The New Hampshire Supreme Court held that parents have equal rights to direct the education of their children, and that courts must decide when parents cannot. It allowed the child to continue in public school.
In the Matter of Lutz and Fonteneau
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2008-0795
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Synopsis:
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA) has been enacted in most states to determine, as its name implies, what state's courts have control over the custody of children when there is a choice among multiple states. Here, the eight month old child was born in Massachusetts to unwed parents, but resided in New Hampshire when Father filed his petition for custody. Mother claimed that because she did not move from Massachusetts to New Hampshire until later, Massachusetts should exercise jurisdiction and she should have custody. I argued for Father that New Hampshire was the child's "home state" because the child lived in New Hampshire for more than the six consecutive months required by the UCCJA, and because the child's Father and grandparents with whom she had a significant relationships also lived in New Hampshire. The court agreed, holding that "jurisdiction follows the residency of the child and not the mother," and that "New Hampshire's exercise of jurisdiction was in [the child's] best interest, especially in light of the goals of the UCCJA."
Matter of Katalichenko and Hoffmeier
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2007-0774
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Matter of Lafond and Lafond
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2007-0271
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Argument: Video
In re Juvenile 2004-0433
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2004-0433
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
In re Juvenile 2004-0399
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2004-0399
Disposition: appeal withdrawn after briefing
In re Baby Girl P.
Citation: 147 N.H. 772, 802 A.2d 1192 (2002)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In re Adam M.
Citation: 148 N.H. 83, 802 A.2d 1218 (2002)
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
In the Matter of Cote and Miller
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2000-146
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
In the Matter of Megan S.
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2000-120
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
In re Amanda C. and Haley C.
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 98-502
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
In re Brittany L.
Citation: 144 N.H. 139, 737 A.2d 670 (1999)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Synopsis:
The rights of prisoners to participate remotely in proceedings involving their children is a relatively new and evolving area of law because in the last few decades criminals have been given longer sentences and more are being incarcerated in far-away facilities. I have argued two cases in this area. Baby K. was a case of first impression in New Hampshire. Father was incarcerated for a long time in Pennsylvania for a drug crime. Just before going to jail he had fathered a child whom the mother had voluntarily put up for adoption upon birth. To consummate the adoption, the adoptive parents needed to terminate the father’s parental rights. The father’s attorney was present in the probate court, while the father participated from the jail by telephone. I argued for the adoptive parents that the arrangement sufficiently protected the father’s constitutional rights. The Supreme Court partially agreed. Applying the three-part test of Mathews v. Eldridge, the Court held that “due process does not absolutely require an incarcerated parent’s physical presence at a parental rights termination hearing, provided the parent is otherwise afforded procedural due process at the hearing.” The Court declined to mandate particular procedures that must be employed, and held that the measures afforded would depend upon the situation of each case. The phone system used here, however, required the father’s attorney to act not only as advocate, but also as the father’s conduit for information about courtroom proceedings. The Supreme Court found these two roles were impossible to simultaneously fulfill, and thus required that in future proceedings courts must provide more direct communication for the far-away prisoner. Brittany L. presented similar facts. The father was incarcerated for the child’s entire life in far-away places. The Mother sought to terminate his parental rights on the grounds of neglect because he had negligible contact with the child and showed no concern for her welfare. The father argued that participation in the termination hearing by telephone rather than in person violated his Sixth Amendment right to “be confronted with the witnesses against him.” I argued for the Mother, and the Supreme Court agreed, that because termination is a civil proceeding, and the Sixth Amendment applies only to criminal cases, the father’s constitutional rights were not violated.
In re Baby K.
Citation: 143 N.H. 201, 722 A.2d 470 (1998)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Synopsis:
The rights of prisoners to participate remotely in proceedings involving their children is a relatively new and evolving area of law because in the last few decades criminals have been given longer sentences and more are being incarcerated in far-away facilities. I have argued two cases in this area. Baby K. was a case of first impression in New Hampshire. Father was incarcerated for a long time in Pennsylvania for a drug crime. Just before going to jail he had fathered a child whom the mother had voluntarily put up for adoption upon birth. To consummate the adoption, the adoptive parents needed to terminate the father’s parental rights. The father’s attorney was present in the probate court, while the father participated from the jail by telephone. I argued for the adoptive parents that the arrangement sufficiently protected the father’s constitutional rights. The Supreme Court partially agreed. Applying the three-part test of Mathews v. Eldridge, the Court held that “due process does not absolutely require an incarcerated parent’s physical presence at a parental rights termination hearing, provided the parent is otherwise afforded procedural due process at the hearing.” The Court declined to mandate particular procedures that must be employed, and held that the measures afforded would depend upon the situation of each case. The phone system used here, however, required the father’s attorney to act not only as advocate, but also as the father’s conduit for information about courtroom proceedings. The Supreme Court found these two roles were impossible to simultaneously fulfill, and thus required that in future proceedings courts must provide more direct communication for the far-away prisoner. Brittany L. presented similar facts. The father was incarcerated for the child’s entire life in far-away places. The Mother sought to terminate his parental rights on the grounds of neglect because he had negligible contact with the child and showed no concern for her welfare. The father argued that participation in the termination hearing by telephone rather than in person violated his Sixth Amendment right to “be confronted with the witnesses against him.” I argued for the Mother, and the Supreme Court agreed, that because termination is a civil proceeding, and the Sixth Amendment applies only to criminal cases, the father’s constitutional rights were not violated.
Guertin v. Max
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 96-471
Disposition: decided by order after argument
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Regulatory & Taxation

Appeal of Town of Belmont (Nordle Trust v. Belmont)
Citation: 172 N.H. 61, 206 A.3d 949 (2019)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Synopsis:
Louis Nordle is a disabled veteran of the Vietnam War. Using a Veterans Administration grant, he adapted his home for his disabilities. A New Hampshire statute provides property tax exemption for disabled veterans who "acquire" a "specially adapted homestead" with VA funds. The town refused the exemption, and Mr. Nordle appealed. The Supreme Court found that the New Hampshire statute was ambiguous, but was designed to mimic benefits under federal VA law. The court held that because the adaptations qualify under the federal law, the New Hampshire veteran gets the tax exemption.
Petition of Wayne Sawyer
Citation: 170 N.H. 197, 167 A.3d 622 (2017)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
DIRECTV, Inc. v. Town of New Hampton
Citation: 170 N.H. 33, 164 A.3d 371 (2017)
Synopsis:
The town applied property tax to dish antennas and backup batteries which Directv had installed at a satellite uplink facility. The Supreme Court held they are not taxable. At issue was whether the antennas and batteries were “fixtures” that had “lost their character as personalty and … become part of the realty.” The court explained that personal property can become a fixture when it is “specially adapted to the realty” or has been “annexed to the realty.” It held that in determining whether an item is a fixture, “the central factors are the nature of the article and its use, as connected with the use of the underlying land.” The lower court held that the antennas and batteries had become fixtures because they were “essential to the use of the building as an uplink facility.” The Supreme Court overturned, holding that “the proper focus … is upon the relationship of the personalty to the realty itself – the buildings or land – rather than to the business enterprise carried on at the property.” The court likened the antennas and batteries to cases involving phone poles, storage trailers, and paper-manufacturing machines, which are not fixtures because they can “be removed without affecting the utility of the underlying land, the buildings, or the equipment itself,” and “could be equally useful and adapted for general use elsewhere.” The court distinguished antennas and batteries from cases involving ski lifts, which are fixtures because they are “intimately intertwined with the specially designed use of the land.” The court thus held that antennas and batteries are not fixtures, and are not subject to town property taxation.
Appeal of Local Government Center
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2012-0729
Disposition: petition for appellate intervention denied
Case Materials: Towns' Petition to Intervene ·
ATV Watch, &a. v. New Hampshire Department of Transportation
Citation: 161 N.H. 746, 20 A.3d 919 (2011)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
ATV Watch v. New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development
Citation: 155 N.H. 434, 923 A.2d 1061 (2007)
Argument: Video
Synopsis:
ATV-Watch is a non-profit organization which monitors use and development of all terrain vehicle trails in New Hampshire. It filed a Right-to-Know request for documents with the Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED), “the agency charged by statute with developing, managing and creating multipurpose recreational trails in New Hampshire.” ATV-Watch sought “information relating to DRED’s intended purchase of a large tract of land” and “its plan to develop all terrain vehicle and other trails once the land was purchased.” DRED ultimately released all the documents requested, but admitted some were not disclosed within the statutory time limits. It hoped to excuse its tardiness, saying that it responded with reasonable speed, and that delays were not its fault or were harmless. DRED claimed that although it “may have technically violated the statute, the violation did not prejudice” ATV-Watch. I argued for ATV-Watch that the Right-to-Know statute provides absolute timetables by when administrative agencies must disclose documents. The New Hampshire Supreme Court agreed. It held that “the plain language of the provision does not allow for consideration of factors … such as “reasonable speed,” “oversight,” “fault,” “harm,” or “prejudice.” The Court thus found DRED “violated the Right-to-Know Law by its delayed disclosure.” It did not award attorneys fees, however, because all the documents ATV-Watch sought were released before it appealed.
Appeal of Save Our Groundwater
Citation: 153 N.H. 539, 904 A.2d 582 (2006)
Appeal of Campaign for Ratepayers Rights & a.
Citation: 145 N.H. 671, 766 A.2d 702 (2001), certiorari denied, 533 U.S. 916 (2001)
In re NHPUC Statewide Electric Utility Restructuring Plan
Citation: 143 N.H 233, 722 A.2d 483 (1998)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Appeal of Campaign for Ratepayers Rights
Citation: 142 N.H. 629, 706 A.2d 675 (1998)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Public Service Company of New Hampshire v. N.H. Public Utilities Commission, &a.
Citation: 136 F.3d 197, 184 P.U.R.4th 211 (1st Cir. 1998)
Appeal of Public Service Co. of New Hampshire
Citation: 141 N.H. 13, 676 A.2d 101 (1996)
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
Appeal of Campaign for Ratepayers Rights
Citation: 137 N.H. 707, 634 A.2d 1345 (1993)
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
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Personal Injury & Insurance

Nicholas Edraos v. Joseph York
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2023-0702
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Larissa Troy v. Bishop Guertin High School & Brothers of the Sacred Heart of New England, Inc.
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2022-0259 (decided Aug. 10, 2023)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Jawa v. Kenney
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No 2009-0817
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Lassonde, d/b/a Mountain View Construction v. Stanton
Citation: 157 N.H. 582, 956 A.2d 332 (2008)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Graham v. Glover
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 99-764
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Argument: Audio ·
Huguelet v. Allstate Ins. Co.
Citation: 141 N.H. 777, 693 A.2d 408 (1997)
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
Synopsis:
An Insured person suffered a collision as a passenger in her own car, and made a claim against her insurance company. The company offered to settle the claim for a certain amount, which was understood by the parties to compensate both for her lost wages, and for her pain and suffering. The Insured cashed the check proffered by the company, which stated on its face, “Final settlement of any and all claims arising from bodily injury caused by accident.” The Insured later learned of greater injuries caused by the collision, and made a further claim. The company refused, on the grounds the matter had been settled. I argued for the Insured that the settlement amount was limited to missed wages, pain and suffering, but was not a global settlement of all possible claims. The New Hampshire Supreme Court agreed. It wrote that if “the purpose of the settlement was to buy peace,” then the cashed check had settled all claims, but if “its object was to compensate for injuries rather than to purchase peace, notwithstanding the language on the check,” then the settlement was not global. The Court held that because the settlement “refers only to compensation for injuries and lost wages, [the parties] cannot be regarded as having contracted with reference to future possibilities,” and thus allowed the Insured to press her claim for later-discovered injuries.
Scarponi v. Provident Life & Accident Ins. Co.
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 95-727
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
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Civil Rights & Elections

Robert Cushing, House Minority Leader v. Sherman Packard, Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives (Covid Legislative Procedures)
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 21-1177
S.D. v. N.B. (Cyberstalking)
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2022-0114
Jane Doe v. Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health Boarding)
Citation: 174 N.H. 239, 261 A.3d 968 (2021)
John Doe v. New Hampshire Department of Safety (Sex-Offender Registration)
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2020-0243
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Appeal of Demetria McKaig, Appeal of Farmington School District (Abortion Rights)
Citation: 168 N.H. 726, 138 A.3d 496 (2016)
William O'Brien v. New Hampshire Democratic Party & Raymond C. Buckley, Chairman (Robocalls)
Citation: 166 N.H. 138, 89 A.3d 1202 (2014)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision · Appendix ·
Synopsis:
During the 2010 election, the New Hampshire Democratic Party made computerized "robocalls" which began: "This is State Democratic Chair Ray Buckley calling," and then made statements about a politician who went on to become the Republican Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. After he was in office, the Speaker sued the Democratic Party alleging it had violated New Hampshire’s robocalling statute by not adequately disclosing the identity of the caller. The New Hampshire Supreme Court held that a candidate who did not personally receive a robocall was not injured, and therefore the politician did not have standing to sue.
Carmody v. Carmody (Firearm Return)
Citation: 164 N.H. 677, 62 A.3d 862 (2013)
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
State v. Graham Jensen
Citation: 158 N.H. 109, 965 A.2d 1126 (2008)
Auen v. Auen
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2003-0111
Disposition: State confessed error after briefing
Appeal of McDonough (Straight-Ticket Ballots)
Citation: 149 N.H. 105, 816 A.2d 1022 (2003)
Case Materials: Court's Decision · My Amicus Brief ·
State v. Steven Diamond (College Police)
Citation: 146 N.H.691, 785 A.2d 887 (2001)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
Fischer v. Governor, &a. (Prisoner Voting)
Citation: 145 N.H. 28, 749 A.2d 321 (2000)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
In re One Thompson Center Contender Handgun, Serial Number 158312 (Firearm Forfeiture)
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 98-174
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Opinion of the Justices (School Funding)
Citation: 142 N.H. 892, 712 A.2d 1080 (1998)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
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Employment & Benefits

Orloff, Starlight Lodge Mountainside, LLC v. Saunders
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2019-0404
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
St.Pierre v. School Administrative Units 28 & 95
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2017-0540
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Syncom Industries, Inc. v. Hogan (Syncom II)
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2009-0071
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Syncom Industries, Inc. v. Wood & Hogan (Syncom I)
Citation: 155 N.H. 73, 920 A.2d 1178 (2007)
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
Synopsis:
A national company based in Salem, New Hampshire contracted with movie chains to conduct their daily theater cleaning, and subcontracted the work to local cleaning crews. A key Employee signed a contract which contained a three-year non-competition clause that covered all territories served by the company. The Employee, whose job was to estimate the cost of cleaning each theater in the chain, worked there for just five monts. A dissatisfied co-worker started a competing company, which the Employee was alleged to have aided by sharing production rates and giving operations advice. I argued for the Employee that the non-competition clause was unenforceable because it covered too large a geographic area, lasted too long, and was broader than necessary to protect the company's legitimate interests. While noting that an employer has a legitimate interest in protecting information relating to unique business practices and influence over the company’s customer base, the Supreme Court held the non-competition clause was unenforceable because it covered too wide a geographic area, too large a section of the company’s customer base, and was unreasonably broad in scope. The Supreme Court remanded for a determination of whether the clause could be reformed.
Davis v. Lucent Technologies, Inc.
Citation: 251 F.3d 227 (1st. Cir. 2001)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Appeal of Fisher
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 96-729
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
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Landlord & Tenant

Cutler v. Knight
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2016-0409
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Synopsis:
Deborah Cutler was an accidental landlord, in that she and her husband bought a property in New Hampshire as a second home, with hopes to move there in the future. When her husband died just a few days later, she allowed her son’s large family, clearly in need of assistance, to live in the home in exchange for maintaining it. The Supreme Court held that Ms. Cutler's eviction of the Knights was not in retaliation for finding lead paint. Rather, she evicted them because instead of preserving the property, the Knights took the house apart, both causing the lead dust and making it impossible for Ms. Cutler to fund and accomplish competent abatement.
Ty Vitale v. Patricia Cheney
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2015-0084
Disposition: death of party terminated appeal
Myla Randall v. Nahia Abounaja
Citation: 164 N.H. 506, 62 A.3d 815 (2013)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Wass v. Fuller
Citation: 158 N.H. 280, 966 A.2d. 1004 (2009)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Babchyck & Dorr v. Drake
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2004-0111
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
Synopsis:
A woman became too sick to live on her own so rented her home to Tenants, who then alleged the water was bad. Landlord arranged for treatment, which included running the faucets, which in turn overloaded the sewerage system. Tenants complained to court. Although Landlord “admitted that she had not taken any action to restore potable water because she had been ill,” tenants “had refused to let [Landlord’s] boyfriend into the house to try to rectify the problem,” and tenants had not followed up by scheduling an appointment with the sewerage company. The tenants also complained the furnace did not work, but there was evidence that all scheduled service had been done and the tenants were not operating it properly. The court awarded tenants significant per-diem statutory damages and Landlord appealed. I argued for Landlord that despite the various problems, she was not in violation of the landlord/tenant statute. She had arranged for service with the water, septic, and furnace companies, and any delays were due to her terminal illness and the tenants' failure to follow through with the well and septic companies and to operate the furnace properly. The New Hampshire Supreme Court held “it is not clear from the record which facts the trial court relied upon in finding that the Landlord violated the statute or that the Landlord acted willfully.” The Supreme Court thus vacated the monetary damages and remanded to determine whether the landlord had “willfully” interrupted the tenants’ water, sewage and heat.
Tilton Plaza Asso., L.P. v. Tilton Variety, Inc., d/b/a Ben Franklin Crafts
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 99-317
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
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Professional Licensure

In the Matter of Aaron Geller, MD
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2019-0009
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
In re Timothy O'Meara, Esquire
Citation: 164 N.H. 170, 54 A.3d 762 (2012)
Argument: Audio · Video
Petition of James P. Nadeau, III
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 99-B-003
Disposition: petition granted by order
Case Materials: My Petition ·
In the Matter of Atkins, MFT
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 98-817
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
Argument: Audio ·
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Criminal Defense

United States v. George Washington
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 22-1693
Case Materials: My Brief ·
State of New Hampshire v. Derrick Moyer
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2023-0030
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
State of New Hampshire v. Odessa Lemieux
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2022-0067
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
Argument: Video
United States v. Stephen Williams
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 21-1501
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
State of New Hampshire v. Bernard Halligan
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2021-0002
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Joseph Crocco
Citation: 15 F.4th 20 (1st Cir. 2021), cert. denied (2022)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision · Supplemental Brief ·
State v. Kyle Perkins
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2019-0099
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Ryan Lin
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 2018-2082 & 18-2093
Disposition: appeal withdrawn after briefing
Case Materials: My Brief ·
United States v. Lachlan Granite
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 2019-1185
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
United States v. Joseph Davis
Citation: 909 F.3d 9 (1st Cir. 2018), writ of certiorari denied, 139 S. Ct. 1352, 203 L. Ed. 2d 589 (2019)
State of New Hampshire v. David Martinko
Citation: 171 N.H. 239, 194 A.3d 69 (2018)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
State of New Hampshire v. Keith Fitzgerald
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2017-0328
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Todd Rasberry
Citation: 882 F.3d 241 (2018), certiorari denied, 139 S.Ct. 591
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Stanley Gonsalves
Citation: 859 F.3d 95 (2017), certiorari denied, 138 S.Ct. 691
United States of America v. Dennis L. Dussault
Citation: 1st Cir. Nos. 16-1428, 16-1429
Disposition: appeal dismissed as moot
United States v. Angel Abner Betancourt-Perez
Citation: 833 F.3d 18 (2016)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Carmelo Rondon-Feliciano
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 2013-1615
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Anders Brief ·
State of New Hampshire v. Justin Cassidy
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2015-0162
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Eddie Alejandro-Montanez
Citation: 778 F.3d 352 (1st Cir. 2015), petition for writ of certiorari denied, 577 U.S. 845 (2015)
State of New Hampshire v. Richard Paul
Citation: 167 N.H. 39, 104 A.3d 1058 (2014)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
State of New Hampshire v. James Benninghove
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2013-0373
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
State of New Hampshire v. Priscilla Protasowicki
Citation: N.H. Sup.Ct. No. 2011-0859
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Donna Gael Chilson
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 2012-1974
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
State of New Hampshire v. Alan Lathrop
Citation: 164 N.H. 468, 58 A.3d 670 (2012)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio · Video
United States v. Lamar Samuels
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 10-2209
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
United States v. Michael Virden
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 2010-2178
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Raymond Cole
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 2010-1202
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
State of New Hampshire v. Kerry Kidd
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2009-0453
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
United States v. Cirino Gonzalez
Citation: 615 F.3d 7 (1st. Cir. 2010)
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
United States v. Almonte-Gabriel
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 2008-1706
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
State v. Bobby Dean Freeman
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2008-0138
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
State v. Steve Gubitosi (III)
Citation: 152 N.H. 673, 886 A.2d 1029 (2005)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
State v. Steve Gubitosi (IV)
Citation: 157 N.H. 720, 958 A.2d 962 (2008)
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Reply Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
United States v. Baez
Citation: 1st. Cir. No. 07-1255
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
State v. Jeffrey Pepin
Citation: 156 N.H. 269, 940 A.2d 221 (2007)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
Sleeper v. Warden, N.H. State Prison
Citation: 155 N.H. 160, 920 A.2d 1200 (2007)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Video
State v. Richard Cloutier
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2005-0754
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
State v. David Vogel
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2005-0521
Disposition: state confessed error after briefing
State v. Sleeper
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2006-0201
Disposition: state confessed error after briefing
Case Materials: My Brief ·
United States v. Joseph Monroig
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 04-1500, certiorari denied, 546 U.S. 1125 (2006)
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
State v. Steve Gubitosi (II)
Citation: 153 N.H. 79, 888 A.2d 1262 (2005)
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
State v. Seth O'Donnell
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2005-0044
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My NOA · My Brief · Court's Decision ·
State v. Dominic Rolando
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 2004-0406
Disposition: appeal withdrawn after briefing
Case Materials: My NOA ·
State v. Steve Gubitosi (I)
Citation: 151 N.H. 764, 868 A.2d 264 (2005)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
United States v. Robert Champagne
Citation: 362 F.3d 60 (1st Cir. 2004), certiorari granted, judgment vacated, remanded, 543 U.S. 1102 (2005)
Argument: Audio ·
United States v. Omay Ford
Citation: 1st Cir. No. 02-1574
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
United States v. Gidrano Vasquez
Citation: 1st. Cir. No. 02-1833, certiorari denied, 540 U.S. 1126 (2004)
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Petition of the State of New Hampshire (State v. Summa)
Citation: 150 N.H. 296, 837 A.2d 291 (2003)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
United States v. Percio Reynoso
Citation: 336 F.3d 46 (1st Cir. 2003), certiorari denied, 540 U.S. 1062 (2003)
State v. Daniel Boyle
Citation: 148 N.H. 306, 807 A.2d 1234 (2002)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
Synopsis:
The Defendant dropped off his girlfriend, who was drunk, at her house in the middle of the night and waited to see she got safely inside. A police officer, who saw him pull to the side of the road and remain there, thought the explanation was “unusual,” so parked a cruiser behind the Defendant’s vehicle and activated all the lights. The police then discovered the Defendant didn’t have a valid license, and he was convicted. On appeal the State claimed the seizure was lawful because the police, acting as “community caretaker,” may conduct “routine checks on health and safety.” I argued for the Defendant that it was unconstitutional because there was nothing suspicious about the event. The New Hampshire Supreme Court agreed. It held that “the officer may have had reason to believe that the drunk female needed aid, but he had no reason to believe that the Defendant, the sole occupant of the vehicle, needed it. Absent any indication that the Defendant needed aid, the officer was not justified in seizing him under the community caretaking exception.” The Court reversed the conviction.
United States v. Burgos
Citation: 254 F.3d 8 (1st. Cir. 2001), certiorari denied, 534 U.S. 1010 (2001)
State v. Paul Hill
Citation: 146 N.H. 568, 781 A.2d 979 (2001)
Case Materials: My amicus brief ·
State v. Dorian Hight
Citation: 146 N.H. 746, 781 A.2d 11 (2001)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
Argument: Audio ·
Synopsis:
The Defendant was a black man was traveling through New Hampshire from Boston to his college in Vermont with two white passengers. His car was stopped in Chesterfield, New Hampshire for speeding and a defective taillight. After being satisfied that his license and registration were in order, but before returning the documents, the police nonetheless ordered the Defendant, but not the two white passengers, out of the car. The police questioned him, apparently believing that “hanging out” at a “frat party” in Boston created a suspicion that he was involved with drugs. The police gained the Defendant’s consent to search his car, which produced nothing. Without informing him he had a right to refuse consent, the police also got his consent to search his person, and found a small amount of marijuana in his back pocket. The Defendant was later convicted of possession and appealed. I argued for the Defendant that although the traffic stop was legitimate, once the police were done with it, their authority to detain him evaporated, and the police had no right to continue interrogating him. Because the police had not returned his license and registration, the Defendant was not free to leave, thereby giving the Defendant little choice in consenting to the searches. I urged the Supreme Court to adopt a rule requiring suppression of evidence gained during illegal detentions unless the police apprise people of their right to decline consent to searches of them and their things. The New Hampshire Supreme Court reversed the conviction. It held that although no pre-consent warning is required, if the taint of the illegal detention is not purged, the evidence cannot be used. It then adopted the three-part test of the United States Supreme Court holding in Brown v. Illinios -- temporal proximity, intervening circumstances, and flagrancy of misconduct -- and applied it to this case. Here, because the Defendant’s license and registration had not been returned, he was under continuing illegal detention. There was “absolute temporal proximity” because the consent had been obtained while the defendant was unlawfully obtained. “There were no intervening circumstances, such as the officer informing the defendant of his right to refuse consent, that would purge the taint of the unlawful detention and support a conclusion that the consent was an ‘act of free will.’” The Court also found that the police action was flagrant because “the officer – a Caucasian – had just accused the defendant – an African American male in his twenties – of drug trafficking and had not informed the defendant that he had a right to refuse to consent” and because “hanging out” at a “frat party” in Boston before returning to college in Vermont were “innocuous facts.” The case has since been cited by a number of law reviews and treatises concerning search and seizure law.
United States v. Camacho
Citation: 1st. Cir. No. 98-1865
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
United States v. Ben Lin
Citation: 206 F.3d 78 (1st. Cir. 2000)
Case Materials: Court's Decision ·
United States v. Manzanillo
Citation: 1st. Cir. No. 98-1378
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Case Materials: My Brief ·
State v. John Wang
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 97-164
Disposition: state confessed error after briefing
Case Materials: My Brief · Reply Brief ·
State v. Gary Kennedy
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 96-627
Disposition: decided by order after argument
Case Materials: My Brief ·
State v. Keith Patch
Citation: 142 N.H. 453, 702 A.2d 1278 (1997)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
State v. Zeta-Chi Fraternity
Citation: 142 N.H. 16, 696 A.2d 530 (1997), certiorari denied, 522 U.S. 995 (1997)
State v. Jean
Citation: N.H. Sup. Ct. No. 95-385
Disposition: decided by unreported opinion
Knowles v. Warden, N.H. State Prison
Citation: 140 N.H. 387, 666 A.2d 972 (1995)
Case Materials: My Brief · Court's Decision ·
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