Collaborative divorce is a form of alternate dispute resolution that offers divorcing couples a hands-on settlement with legal representation. It is a method of resolving divorce issues with the active participation of a lawyer for each party, a coach and a financial neutral. By contract, both parties and both lawyers agree not to litigate. If negotiations break down, the lawyers are disqualified from representing their clients in litigation. The lawyers work cooperatively to structure the process and facilitate settlement.
Child Support
Anderson, 2019 WL 632319 (November 26, 2019), Primmer successfully defended a compliant child support Order against a challenge based on an equal shared custody schedule.
Guardianship
In re: Guardianship of L.N., ___ N.H.___ (February 19, 2020), Primmer as amicus curiae for Concord Hospital, successfully challenged a Probate Court Order that denied the guardian’s rights, under RSA 464-A:9 to make end of life decisions without prior Court approval.
Spousal Support
Yes. Alimony may be awarded in periodic payments or in a lump sum. A Court may award alimony for a definite or indefinite period.
Legal Separation
The process in NH and VT is basically the same except that after a legal separation neither party is free to marry. However, after a legal separation, parties may resume being married by filing a notice with the clerk of court. A legal separation may be converted to a divorce after a certain period.
Our appellate team includes Doreen Connor, who is a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and has handled in excess of 195 appeals. She has been recognized for her appellate practice in Best Lawyers since 2011. Gary M. Burt has handled in excess of 30 appeals and tried more than 200 jury trials. Gary has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for his trial work since 2011. Matthew Delude has represented clients before the United States Supreme Court, nearly every federal circuit court of appeals and the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Christine List, a former Appellate Public Defender, has handled 20 plus appeals before the New Hampshire Supreme Court in the areas of family and criminal law. Gary Franklin, operating out of our Burlington, VT office, has appeared before State and Federal courts in multiple jurisdictions at both the trial and appellate level as well as before arbitration panels.
DUI/DWI
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Wrongful Death
In addition to our Captive Insurance practice, our attorneys are known throughout New England for their experience resolving regulatory compliance, disputed coverage and insurance defense matters. Our insurance lawyers have successfully negotiated claims involving “stacked” or multiple policy limits, have prosecuted declaratory judgment actions upholding a single aggregate policy limit, and have helped clients avoid exposure for claims of “bad faith.” Our firm has extensive appellate expertise in insurance policy interpretation. Our insurance trial group regularly defends insureds for multiple carriers in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, in cases involving wrongful death, lead paint, brain injuries, product liability, automotive claims and premises liability.
Fraud
Our firm represents companies and individuals in connection with federal and state criminal and regulatory enforcement matters. The matters we handle include the following areas: environmental, financial, health care fraud, securities, false claims, and antitrust. In addition, our attorneys regularly conduct responsive and thorough internal investigations for clients when allegations of misconduct are raised. Our attorneys have a proven track record of assisting clients in avoiding or minimizing the impact of government enforcement actions.
Forgery
A title insurance policy insures the status of title in the name of the owner of the policy. Title insurance policies are issued by title insurance companies. The title company contracts with the insured person named in the policy to protect against financial loss related to the title, as well as the cost of defending the title in court. The title company searches and examines documents related to the ownership and items affecting the property prior to issuing a policy. It provides a source of indemnification to the named insured if he or she is damaged by a negligent or bad title search or examination and also from hidden defects that would not be discovered in a title search. For instance, a title defect resulting from a forgery would not be revealed in a search or examination of the public records but would be covered by the title insurance policy. The firm’s real estate attorneys are licensed title insurance producers, and can offer title insurance to its clients from top title insurance underwriters. Title insurance will defend against a lawsuit attacking the title as it is insured, or reimburse the insured for the actual monetary loss incurred, up to the dollar amount of insurance provided by the policy.
Our attorneys work with businesses to create documents and agreements that allow them to operate smoothly and establish clear guidelines for resolving disputes among owners. Such documents include operating agreements, bylaws, shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, consulting agreements, and buy-sell Agreements.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Our firm was founded in St. Johnsbury, Vermont in 1982 as a boutique corporate/ regulatory law firm by John Primmer, Bill Piper, and Denise Deschenes. Their goal was to provide specialized, high-quality legal services to, and build long term relationships with, local, regional and national clients. We primarily provided corporate, securities and regulatory legal services to insurance companies, financial institutions and public utilities. The firm also provided sophisticated legal services for mergers and acquisitions, as well as other corporate and commercial work.
Business Disputes
We are seeking an attorney to join The Primmer, Piper Eggleston & Cramer business law/real estate team in our Littleton, NH, office.
Business Transactions
Drafting documents for asset based line of credit, construction loan, real estate secured and other commercial transactions
Limited Liability Companies
For certain financing transactions, some creditors may require a debtor to become a special purpose entity or single purpose entity (SPE). Any type of business entity can be an SPE, although they are commonly formed as limited liability companies. SPEs are typically created to fulfill narrow, specific, or temporary objectives. Creditors often require that the debtor be an SPE to isolate financial risk by limiting the possibility of the bankruptcy of the debtor, including requirements to conduct its business under its own name as a separate entity, and only engage in business matters expressly permitted under the SPE’s basic documents (which cannot be changed without the lender’s approval).
There are several different tests to determine whether a worker can properly be classified as an independent contractor instead of an employee, e.g., for federal tax, state unemployment and workers compensation, wage and hour purposes, etc. Increasingly, state and federal law has narrowed the definition of an independent contractor. Misclassification of a worker as an independent contractor could lead to substantial employer liability for back taxes, overtime pay, benefits, audits, and other liabilities. Consult with counsel if you have any questions about worker classification.
Wrongful Termination
Our firm guides clients in virtually all aspects of employment law to resolve workplace problems. Attorneys in our Labor & Employment Law Group have extensive experience in state and federal litigation matters including those alleging breach of employment contract, wrongful termination, wage and hour, harassment, discrimination, and related claims. The firm represents clients before federal and state administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the United States Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Vermont Attorney General's Office, and the Vermont Department of Labor.
Employment Discrimination
Counseling on compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations affecting the workplace, including Vermont’s Fair Employment Practices Act, state and federal family and medical leave laws, unemployment compensation and workers’ compensation laws, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act and Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Employment Contract
Employment Litigation
Counseling on employment practices, employee discipline, employee terminations, drug & alcohol testing, internal investigations, workplace audits, employee safety, Internet privacy, protecting confidential and proprietary information, resolving workplace problems and other employment issues
As a group, the lawyers in our group have tried hundreds of motor vehicle and premises liability cases in every New Hampshire and Vermont county. We are handling an increasing number of cases in Maine, as well. We are well known and respected by the Superior Court judges and their staff.
Construction Litigation
Defended architect in jury trial brought by owner of a large, multi-story condominium and commercial use building involving numerous design and construction claims.
Real Estate Transactions
There are various types of deeds which may be offered in a real estate transaction. Each bear their own legal significance and care should be taken in selecting which one to accept at closing. Typical deeds offered are as follows...
Our appellate work includes appeals in personal injury, commercial litigation, insurance disputes, family law, administrative appeals, criminal law, zoning, and probate.
We opened our Burlington office in 2002, in response to the need to have a presence in Vermont’s commercial center and to better serve its increasing number of clients. On January 1, 2006, Primmer and Piper merged with Eggleston & Cramer Ltd., a long established Burlington, Vermont firm. Marty Miller, Jon Eggleston, Anne Cramer and Doug Wolinsky, among others, had grown a state-wide corporate, tax, estate planning, bankruptcy, commercial, regulatory and health care practice over several decades. As a result of the merger, we became one of the largest law firms in Vermont able to provide complementary services to its clients utilizing the talents of both firms. During this time period, the firm expanded into New Hampshire with an office in Littleton and significantly increased its litigation and mediation services.
Wills
Trusts
) is different from the probate process. A trust is a legal contract between the maker (or grantor) of the trust and the beneficiaries. Trustees have the responsibility to make sure the trust is implemented correctly. The process of implementing the trust — making payments to beneficiaries and filing necessary accountings and tax returns — is what is known as Trust Administration or Trust Settlement. This process usually ensures that the beneficiaries will receive the assets as outlined in the trust. Sometimes this means a one-time, lump sum payment; sometimes, payment is over time. Sometimes payment may be of the income only. It all depends on what the trust document says. Trustees or family members should consult with an attorney to understand their obligations.
Managing the purchase and sale of pre and post-foreclosure collateral, including personal and real property and short sales.
Tax Law
We represent captives in most major domiciles, onshore and offshore. Many legal issues facing captives have little to do with location. These include contracts with national and international service providers, multi-state regulatory issues, federal tax matters and group captive structure, governance and strategy. Our experience in these areas assists clients wherever they choose to form a captive. We have an office in Washington, D.C., but also routinely partner with local practitioners to assure seamless and appropriate representation of our clients.