Nineteen attorneys representing 17 practices at Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC have been selected for inclusion in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Selections are based on the organization’s annual peer-review survey.
Three DRM attorneys are new to the Best Lawyer’s roster this year: Burlington-based Andre D. Bouffard – bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights law and Marc B. Heath – construction law, and Lebanon, N.H.-based Thomas C. Csatari – trusts and estates. Robert B. Luce of Burlington, who has been recognized for his personal injury practice in previous years, is also recognized for his commercial litigation practice this year.
Bouffard has concentrated his law practice in the areas of bankruptcy, foreclosure and debtor-creditor law for more than 20 years. Certified as a Creditors' Rights Law Specialist by the American Board of Certification, he has published several articles and testified before the Vermont Legislature on foreclosure laws.
Heath has represented owners and contractors in commercial construction disputes throughout Vermont. As a litigator for nearly 30 years, he has tried more than 65 jury trials to verdict and has settled hundreds of cases through mediation and direct negotiation.
A practicing lawyer since 1977, Csatari has focused mainly in the area of trust and estate planning for 10 years. He advises clients on a broad range of estate planning tools and has had substantial involvement in complex probate administration and related litigation.
Luce, who chairs the firm’s Litigation Group, has practiced law since 1979. In addition to managing and trying numerous complex commercial litigation matters, he has represented victims of brain and spinal cord injuries and their families for more than 15 years.
In addition to Bouffard, Heath, Csatari and Luce, the DRM attorneys and the practice capabilities for which they are listed in the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers are: Brattleboro-based attorney Peter B. Robb – labor and employment law; Burlington-based attorneys Kimberly K. Hayden – energy law, Peter B. Kunin and Lawrence H. Meier – intellectual property law, Thomas H. Moody and Paul H. Ode Jr. – corporate law and mergers and acquisitions law, Wm. Roger Prescott – tax law, Patricia M. Sabalis – labor and employment law, William W. Schroeder – environmental law and real estate law, and Robert D. Rachlin – commercial litigation, medical malpractice law, personal injury litigation and product liability litigation; Montpelier-based John H. Hollar – government relations law; and St. Johnsbury-based attorneys James C. Gallagher – personal injury litigation, John H. Marshall – energy law and environmental law, and James G. Wheeler Jr. – real estate law. Attorney Peter D. Van Oot, who is based in the firm’s Lebanon, N.H. office and also maintains an office in Brattleboro, is recognized for environmental law and land use and zoning law.
DRM is a full-service law firm with more than 60 attorneys and six offices in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York. DRM provides legal services to local, national and international clients in practice areas that include bankruptcy and business restructuring, business law, captive insurance, energy and telecommunications, family law, health law, intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation, real estate and land use, environmental law, tax law and trusts and estates. The firm represents clients in legislative, regulatory and public affairs through the Government and Public Affairs group. DRM is the law firm member for Vermont of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms.
