Melanie McGuirk

JOHN L. WARD Attorney Ward is the founder and managing partner of Ward Law Group, PLLC and his areas of concentration are Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Social Security Disability claims. Prior to founding Ward Law Group, PLLC, he was the managing partner of a Personal Injury and insurance defense firm. Seeking to limit his practice to represent only injury victims, Ward Law Group, PLLC was formed to concentrate exclusively on helping injured parties receive the compensatio...

Jen Moeckel devotes her practice exclusively to assisting employers in complying with state and federal laws during all phases of the employment relationship, and defending employers in discrimination and other employment law claims. Jen has substantial experience in background checks and hiring; non-compete and non-disclosure agreements; wage and hour laws and payroll compliance; employee handbooks and policies; conducting training for managers and employees; managing leaves of absence and r...

Mark Knights is a member of the Government Investigations & White Collar Defense practice group and lead of the Global Compliance & Investigations team. He represents individuals and businesses across a variety of industries in connection with matters involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, the False Claims Act, and other federal and state laws. Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, Mark served as a law clerk for Judge Mary Beck Briscoe of the U.S. Court of A...

Kathleen represents both private and public educational institutions, as well as other private and public sector employers, in all areas of employment law, including hiring, discipline and discharge, wage and hour requirements, discrimination and wrongful discharge claims and family and medical leave requirements. She assists employers in the development of personnel policies and negotiating and drafting of employment agreements. Kathleen has represented employers in both state and federal co...

For over 40 years, Jerry Zelin has devoted his practice to representing New Hampshire school districts in a wide array of student-related matters including special education, inter-district residency disputes, juvenile court cases, pupil discipline, civil rights, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and limits on the state and federal governments’ authority to regulate local school districts. Jerry has successfully represented school districts in some of New Ha...

As a litigator and outside general counsel, Christina has a depth of experience serving clients in a broad range of industries, especially those operating in highly regulated areas, and successfully achieves the best outcomes for her clients based on their needs. As lead counsel, Christina skillfully advocates for her clients in federal and state courts, before administrative tribunals, and in alternative dispute resolution settings. She efficiently manages and guides her clients through ever...

Sean O'Connell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Sean, who practices law in Dover, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kirsten Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice. Kirsten, who practices law in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kirsten is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin F. Dugan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Kevin F., who practices law in Manchester, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

I chair our firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Team of 15 transactional attorneys and tax specialists and assist our firm clients with regard to achieving their estate planning objectives. Having more than 30 years’ experience as an M&A attorney and corporate advisor, combined with being a CPA and having a master’s degree in taxation, provides me with a unique background and perspective to advise the firm’s business clients in achieving their goals in the most timel...