E-mail: shoar@dinse.com
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Areas of Practice Concentration:
Litigation, Product Liability, Environmental and Toxic Tort, Insurance Coverage, and Intellectual Property
Description of Practice:
Mr. Hoar has been a Director and Partner of the firm since 1992. He is the firm's Hiring Partner, and has been a member of the firm's Management Committee. He is admitted to practice in both Vermont and New York, and is the partner in charge of the firm's Plattsburgh, New York office. Mr. Hoar is a member of the firm's litigation practice group, and the leader of its Insurance Practice Group, with broad experience in environmental and toxic tort, product liability, insurance coverage and general litigation matters, as described below.
- Toxic Torts and Environmental
Mr. Hoar regularly represents individuals, businesses, and State agencies in litigation involving environmental impairment and its economic consequences. Most recently, he has been lead counsel for the State of Vermont in an environmental contribution action that decided Vermont law on a wide range of common law and statutory issues, substantially shaping the contours of environmental cost recovery law in Vermont. Relatedly, he represents individuals and businesses allegedly responsible for contamination in actions seeking recovery for personal injuries and property damage claimed as a result of environmental exposures.
Product Liability
Another substantial component of Mr. Hoar's practice is in the area of product liability litigation. He regularly represents a wide variety of product manufacturers in litigation arising out of personal injuries and property damage allegedly caused by consumer, recreational, agricultural, and industrial products. Mr. Hoar was counsel for the appellant in the landmark decision of Webb v. Navistar, in which the Vermont Supreme Court held for the first time that principles of comparative fault apply to product liability actions in Vermont.
Insurance Coverage
Mr. Hoar has substantial experience advising insurers and policyholders concerning insurance coverage matters. His practice comprises both coverage opinions and analyses and representation of litigants in coverage disputes. Mr. Hoar has particular expertise and experience in environmental coverage matters, including having tried the only jury trial to verdict of such a matter in Vermont. His insurance coverage clientele includes a wide variety of liability, property and casualty, and life, health, and accident insurers. He is a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the Insurance Coverage Committee of the Defense Research Institute, and a frequent lecturer for the Vermont Bar Association on a variety of insurance coverage issues.
General Litigation
In addition to his work in the specific areas above, Mr. Hoar regularly represents both insured and self-insured defendants in a wide variety of liability actions. He also represents individuals and entities involved in commercial disputes, ranging from land use litigation to administrative law. His practice is statewide, with court and jury trials in all state and federal courts. He has recently concluded an eight-year stint on the Vermont Bar Association's Board of Managers, serving most recently as Past President of the Association, and is a regular lecturer and moderator for the Bar Association on a variety of litigation and trial practice subjects. He has also served as a member of the Vermont Supreme Court Civil Rules Advisory Committee, and its Jury Policy Committee.
Education:
Boston University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1985)
- Dr. John Ordronaux Award for Greatest Overall Ability
- Articles Editor, Boston University Law Review
Dartmouth College (B.A., 1980)
Groton School (cum laude, 1973)
Prior Experience:
Mr. Hoar joined the firm in 1987 following a judicial clerkship with Hon. Bailey Aldrich, Senior Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, Boston, and a brief stint as an associate at the Boston firm of Hemenway & Barnes. Mr. Hoar also served as a Lecturer In Law at Boston University School of Law prior to moving to Vermont to join the firm.
Professional Affiliations:
• Chittenden, Vermont (President, 2006-07), New England, and American Bar Associations
• Defense Research Institute
• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Named to New England Super Lawyers (2007-2009)
• Chambers USA, Chambers & Partners
Other Activities:
Mr. Hoar is active in community and civic affairs. Besides his involvement with the Vermont Bar Association, he is a member of the Board of Directors and Past President of the Vermont Bar Foundation, and a member of the Board of Directors of the New England Bar Association. He is the founding President of the South Burlington Youth Soccer Association, and has served for eight years as a youth soccer coach in South Burlington. He is a former President of the Burlington Tennis Club. Mr. Hoar is also a former President and member of the Board of Directors of the Allenbrook Homes for Youth; the past Town Agent and Grand Juror for the Town of Hinesburg, Vermont, serving in that capacity as the Town's attorney; and the past Delinquent Tax Collector for the Town of Hinesburg. Mr. Hoar lives in South Burlington with his wife, Eve, his son, Sam, and his daughter, Bailey.