News

Burlington, VT (January 2, 2025) – Dinse, P.C. is pleased to announce that Carol Y. Pfeiffer and Joshua R. Diamond have been elected as Directors and Shareholders of the firm.

Carol joined Dinse in 2019 following her tenure as a law clerk to the Honorable Marilyn S. Skoglund (Ret.) of the Vermont Supreme Court. Carol earned her J.D. in 2017 from Rutgers School of Law-Newark, from which she graduated summa cum laude. She received her B.A. from the University of Vermont.  Her practice at Dinse focuses on Estate Planning and Trust and Probate Administration. In 2024, Carol graduated from the New England Fellows Institute Class II of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”), a program facilitated by the regional ACTEC Fellows to identify and develop future leaders of the trust and estate profession.

Josh, an accomplished civil litigator, joined the firm in 2022 after serving for six years as Vermont’s Deputy Attorney General. Prior to that time Josh was a shareholder with Diamond & Robinson, P.C., where he practiced law for over 20 years. His practice at Dinse focuses on civil litigation, administrative law, and government relations. Josh currently serves as President of the Vermont Bar Association. He received his J.D. from George Washington University and his B.A. from the University of Vermont.

“We are excited to have Josh and Carol become Shareholders and Directors of the firm. Both are exceptional lawyers, who provide clients with excellent service and wise counsel,” said Managing Shareholder and President Shap Smith.

Dinse is a Burlington, Vermont-based law firm serving businesses, institutions, and individuals. Driven by values of integrity, respect, and commitment, Dinse attorneys are recognized annually by sources such as Chambers & Partners and Best Lawyers for their expertise and positive client outcomes.

Burlington, VT (January 10, 2024) – Dinse, P.C. is pleased to announce that Carol Pfeiffer has been accepted into Class II of the New England Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a national organization of trust and estate counselors demonstrating the highest levels of integrity, competence, experience, and commitment to the profession.

Carol joined Dinse in 2019 following her tenure as a law clerk to the Honorable Marilyn S. Skoglund (Ret.) of the Vermont Supreme Court. Carol earned her J.D. in 2017 from Rutgers School of Law-Newark, from which she graduated summa cum laude. Her practice at Dinse focuses on Estate Planning and Trust and Probate Administration.

“Carol’s recognition by the Institute confirms what we already knew. Carol is an exceptional lawyer, committed to meeting the needs of her clients. We are excited for her to receive this incredible opportunity,” said Managing Partner, Shap Smith.

The New England Fellows Institute was created by ACTEC to develop future leaders in the profession through a series of in-depth educational presentations led by outstanding subject matter experts across the country.

The eight-month program, which begins in February 2024, includes six sessions for lawyers nominated by an ACTEC fellow and selected through a competitive application process.

To learn more about the New England Fellows Institute, please visit:

http://www.newenglandfellowsinstitute.org

Burlington, VT (January 2022) – Dinse, P.C. is pleased to announce that Margarita Warren has been elected as a Director and Shareholder of the firm.

Margarita joined Dinse in 2019 following her tenure at a civil litigation defense firm representing clients in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and clerking for the Hampden Superior Court in Springfield, Massachusetts. Margarita’s practice focuses on general civil litigation and insurance coverage disputes, and she represents clients at all stages of litigation in state and federal courts.

Prior to practicing law, Margarita worked as a public policy consultant, evaluating the implementation of domestic health programs for state and federal health agencies.  She also worked as a legal intern for the Office for Civil Rights in HIPAA compliance and enforcement matters, and at Boston Medical Center’s Medical Legal Partnership.

Margarita is a graduate of Brown University, the University of Chicago, and Suffolk University Law School.

Burlington, VT (January 2022) – Dinse is pleased to announce that Joshua Diamond has joined the firm.

Josh is an accomplished civil litigator who until recently served as Vermont’s Deputy Attorney General under Attorney General TJ Donovan. Josh will focus his practice at DINSE on regulatory matters, litigation, and government relations.

During his six-year tenure as Deputy Attorney General, Josh reported directly to the Attorney General and managed the nearly 140 employees of Vermont’s largest law firm. He also oversaw major litigation brought on behalf of or against the State of Vermont.

Prior to his role as Deputy Attorney General, Josh was a shareholder with Diamond & Robinson, P.C., where he practiced law for over 20 years. While at Diamond & Robinson, Josh served as general counsel for Washington Electric Cooperative, handling permitting for the Coventry Landfill Gas to Energy Facility, rate cases, labor relations, and negotiating and drafting power supply agreements among other matters.

Josh serves on the Vermont Board of Bar Managers, President of the Board of Directors at the Cochran’s Ski Area and was elected Justice of the Peace in the Town of Williston, Vermont.

Burlington, VT (January 2022) – Dinse is pleased to announce that Kendall Hoechst and Ted Lawrence have been elected as Directors and Shareholders of the firm.

Kendall joined Dinse in 2015 after clerking for the Honorable William K. Sessions III in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.  Kendall assists clients with disputes at every level, including conducting workplace and other independent investigations, protecting clients’ interests in pre-suit and other negotiations, defending complaints filed with state and federal agencies, participating in civil lawsuits and trials, and briefing and arguing appeals.  Her practice focuses on general civil litigation, employment law, and higher education.  She also provides compliance training and counseling on related topics.  Kendall is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law School.

Ted joined Dinse in 2015. He began his career as a journalist covering foreign policy in Washington, D.C. Before moving to Vermont, Ted clerked for the Honorable Henry Saad of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Ted provides guidance and legal support to start-ups and established companies in all aspects of their business operations, including: private capital raises and bank financings, asset sales and acquisitions, company formation, contracting with other businesses and service providers, and incentive compensation for employees and advisors (including stock awards and stock options). He also assists commercial and agricultural lenders with loan transactions and regulatory compliance. When not lawyering, Ted enjoys hiking, writing freelance features and book reviews, and listening to “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer. Ted is a graduate of Kenyon College and the University of Michigan Law School.

We are pleased to announce that Andy MacIlwaine has been selected as a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC).  The FDCC is an international organization whose members have achieved professional distinction as leaders in the legal community. FDCC Membership is limited, selective, and by nomination only.

Andy is a member of the firm’s litigation practice. He represents clients in complex litigation matters, including commercial, land use/environmental, real estate, and insurance coverage disputes. Andy also regularly advises clients in matters of regulatory compliance and risk avoidance.