News
Construction Litigation Team Prevails in Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit
The Construction Litigation Team, headed by Shap Smith, successfully defended a large commercial construction company in a multi-party lawsuit filed by two corporations seeking combined damages in excess of $10 million based on alleged construction defects. The dismissal was granted based on a motion principally drafted by Andy MacIlwaine. Sophie Zdatny, Angela Clark, and Joe Wonderly also contributed significant research and drafting in the course of the litigation. Team paralegal Louise Reese deftly managed an extremely high-volume document case.
Zdatny and O’Neill to present at NBI’s “Employment Law: 2013 Comprehensive Guide” on June 12, 2013
Sophie Zdatny and Katherine O’Neill will be presenting at NBI’s “Employment Law: 2013 Comprehensive Guide” on June 12, 2013. They will be covering wage and hour issues, managing employee leaves of absence, and the privacy issues and employer risks in monitoring employees in the workplace.
Karen McAndrew and Andy MacIlwaine co-edit Vermont Chapter of 2013 Product Liability Desk Reference
Karen McAndrew and Andy MacIlwaine served as editors of the Vermont chapter for the 2013 edition of “Product Liability Desk Reference: A Fifty-State Compendium” published internationally by Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. The Vermont chapter analyzes current and developing jurisprudence on multiple issues pertaining to the discrete practice area of product liability. Questions about the chapter or related issues should be directed to Karen McAndrew (kmcandrew@dinse.com) or Andy MacIlwaine (amacilwaine@dinse.com).
Leigh Cole Served as Faculty for Online Course by NACUA
Leigh recently served as faculty for a one-month online course by the National Association of College and University Attorney (NACUA) with colleague Michael Pfahl, Esq., Associate Counsel, Kent State University. The course was entitled “Immigration Basics for Colleges and Universities.” The course first was hosted by NACUA in 2011 and NACUA scheduled the course again with the same faculty this year.
McMahan Quoted in World Intellectual Property Review Regarding Patent Troll Law
Jeff McMahan was quoted in two recent articles by World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) on the new Patent Troll Law. For the full articles please visit the following links to the WIPR website.
Gurtman attends the American Bar Association’s 2013 Business Bar Leaders Conference in Chicago
Dave Gurtman attended the American Bar Association’s 2013 Business Bar Leaders Conference in Chicago. The conference brought together leaders of the business bar from around the country to discuss recent developments in business transaction practice and how state bar associations can better assist their members. Dave currently sits on a committee of the Vermont Bar Association that is revising the Vermont Limited Liability Company Act.
Dinse Real Estate Group Acts as Vermont Local Counsel to Two Affiliates of Gestamp Solar
Molly Langan Lebowitz with assistance from Dave Gurtman and Tanya Toth acted as Vermont local counsel to two affiliates of Gestamp Solar (based in Spain, with a California base in the U.S.) in connection with Gestamp’s purchase and sale/leaseback financing with Bank of America of a 2.2 MW solar electric generation facility in Pownal, Vermont and a 2.1 solar electric generation facility in Williamstown, Vermont.
Dave Gurtman Participated in Roundtable Discussion Regarding Renewable Energy
Dave Gurtman participated in a roundtable discussion with Congressman Peter Welch and Vermont renewable energy companies at AllEarth Renewables in Williston on April 1, 2013. At the event, Welch outlined his Master Limited Partnership Parity Act, which would allow renewable energy companies to take advantage of a key financing tool used by the energy sector known as master limited partnerships (MLPs).
Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew Announces Two New Directors and Shareholders of the Firm
Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C. is pleased to announce that Nicole Andreson and David Gurtman have been elected as Directors and Shareholders of the firm.
Nicole Andreson joined the firm in 2007. Ms. Andreson’s practice is focused on the representation of physicians and hospitals in professional malpractice and licensing actions. She regularly represents clients in all aspects of civil litigation as lead counsel in both federal and state courts in Vermont, including jury trials. She also has extensive appellate advocacy experience having argued before the Vermont Supreme Court numerous times. Immediately prior to joining the firm, Ms. Andreson served as a Deputy State’s Attorney for the Chittenden County State’s Attorneys’ Office. During her tenure at the State’s Attorneys’ Office, Ms. Andreson prosecuted serious felonies, focusing on sexual assaults and crimes against children. Prior to prosecuting, Ms. Andreson worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Andreson is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Vermont.
David R. Gurtman joined the firm in 2006. Mr. Gurtman practices in the areas of business transactions, non-profit organizations and commercial real estate. Mr. Gurtman advises Vermont companies on legal issues impacting their business, including structuring and closing strategic acquisitions and dispositions, capital raising and financing transactions, the formation of corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, supply and distribution agreements, and tax planning. His clients range from entrepreneurial startups to mature companies with operations within and outside of Vermont. He has also been involved in some of the largest renewable energy projects in the state and provides state and federal tax advice related to such projects. His practice also includes advising tax exempt organizations in entity organization and formation, recognition of their tax-exempt status and corporate governance matters including drafting bylaws and operating policies. Prior to joining Dinse, he served as a law clerk for the Vermont trial courts in Chittenden and Addison Counties. He currently serves on the Board of CarShareVT and is a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable.
About Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C.
Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C., with offices in Burlington, Vermont and Plattsburgh, New York, is one of the most established and well respected law firms serving Vermont and the Adirondack Region of upstate New York. Dinse applies its experience, drive and intellectual capital on the side of every client relationship. It’s why Dinse is seen as the “go-to” firm to navigate today’s most complex legal problems. Chambers USA gives Dinse its highest rankings for the strength and reputation of its attorneys. For over 90 years, the firm has served its clients in important cases, transactions and legal developments. www.dinse.com