Emily Bratt

My Approach I strive to listen to my clients and provide thoughtful advice to help them achieve their goals and reduce risks. I am dedicated to providing useful strategies to my clients in a timely fashion. As a former teacher and university attorney, I am particularly adept at advising colleges and other institutional clients with their financial and business needs. My Vermont upbringing is an asset while navigating the intricacies of state and local real estate and land use law and practice...

Chris Maley has extensive experience in the area of medical malpractice and personal injury. A native of Burlington, Vermont, Chris has obtained notable results for his clients, including: Resolved a medical malpractice case involving the alleged failure to appropriately diagnose and treat a 42-year-old woman's severe lower extremity injury resulting in catastrophic harm for in excess of three and a half million dollars. Resolved a wrongful death motor vehicle accident claim for $1,800,000. $...

Ritchie E. Berger is head of the firm’s litigation group and is considered one of Vermont's premier trial lawyers. He concentrates on the defense of complex civil litigation throughout Vermont and New England. Mr. Berger is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Past-Vermont State Chair, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Past-President of Vermont Chapter, and is listed in Benchmark: Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers...

Mr. McMahan is a corporate and intellectual property lawyer, advising businesses on issues related to formation, mergers and acquisitions, raising capital, technology licensing, trademarks and copyrights. Mr. McMahan's clients range from entrepreneurial start-ups to publicly-held companies. He has particular experience representing software vendors and purchasers in the negotiation of computer system implementation, license and support agreements. Mr. McMahan also advises clients on the selec...

Nicole Andreson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Nicole, who practices law in Burlington, Vermont, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Heather R. Hammond is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Heather R., who practices law in Burlington, Vermont, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heather R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Liam maintains a broad practice grounded in all types of real estate matters. Liam’s litigation practice focuses on property law, including disputes involving title and boundary issues, easements, adverse possession and prescriptive easements; public and private road issues; title insurance claims; land use, zoning and Act 250; construction, condemnation and tax appeals. In the course of his practice, Liam has represented landowners, developers, municipalities and neighborhood groups in...

Amy McLaughlin, a Director of the firm, joined the Employment Law and Litigation Groups in October, 1999. In her counseling practice, Ms. McLaughlin helps employers maintain compliance with federal and state laws that regulate the employment relationship while simultaneously achieving the needs of the business. Ms. McLaughlin also routinely advises employers in preventative employment measures in an effort to avoid litigation. She works with employers to develop and implement effective and ap...

Hans’ broad and varied background allows him to provide clients with a balanced perspective and a complete understanding of the issues. Prior to becoming an attorney, Hans was an entrepreneur and small business owner. He has served as in-house counsel for a large regulatory entity and a start-up company. He has worked with national corporations and local homeowners associations. He has successfully litigated multi-million dollar construction claims on behalf of condominium associations ...

MICHELLE N. FARKAS mfarkas@gravelshea.com Michelle Farkas joined Gravel and Shea in 1999 after practicing at Goodwin Procter in Boston. At Gravel and Shea, Michelle focuses on complex commercial real estate transactions, representing developers and non-institutional investors in real estate acquisition, development, financing, zoning and land use matters. Michelle has extensive experience in assisting developers with establishing and managing condominium and planned unit developments, assisti...