Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Support
  T he Wadleigh, Starr & Peters Family Law Group advocates for our clients in all areas of family law, including but not limited to, divorces, parenting matters (formerly custody disputes), post-divorce enforcement matters, child support and alimony orders and modification matters, relocation of minor children, domestic violence petitions, pre and post nuptial agreements, guardianship and grandparent’s rights disputes. We have considerable experience in handling everything from a no fault, no kids, no money divorce to complicated divorces involving closely held multi-million dollar business interests.
• Adoption
• Guardianship
• Spousal Support
• Child Abuse
  Our attorneys have experience advising school districts on all aspects of education law, including but not limited to: after school programs, AREA Agreements, attendance, board hearings, bullying, child abuse and neglect reporting requirements, charter school issues, contract negotiation/review, cyberbullying, disability rights, district of liability determinations, discrimination claims, educational Standards, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), field trip access, First and Fourth Amendment issues, home school issues, Immigration issues, investigations, Joint Maintenance Agreements, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act, No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) compliance, policy development and interpretation, religious freedom issues, residency issues, including district of liability issues, policy development, Right-to-know law matters, safe schools reporting act, school budgets/finance, school choice, school nursing standards; Section 504, sexual harassment, student discipline, student privacy, tuition agreements, Title IX, transgender issues, and transportation. The Firm is active in school funding litigation, representing over 10 school districts in the pending litigation against the State of New Hampshire.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  We are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for each case- whether by mediation, by agreement or by a litigated resolution. Our attorneys have excellent reputation throughout the Family Law courts and we bring our firm’s big firm resources to your case. Wadleigh, Starr & Peters 100+ years reflects the reputation and commitment to excellence that we offer to our valued clients. The Family Law Groups often draws upon the other practice areas of our firm – such as commercial law, criminal law, real estate, land use, school law and tax to assist with your case.
• DUI/DWI
  Our firm has counsel with jury trial experience in DWIs, assaults, domestic violence, sexual assault/consent, possession or sale of drugs, entrapment, racial profiling, false confessions, theft and motor vehicle offices.
• Wrongful Death
  We have long been known for our personal injury, professional negligence, product liability and civil rights work. We have obtained favorable results in some of New Hampshire’s most significant cases involving product liability, traumatic injury, failure to diagnose, wrongful death, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, and civil rights claims.
• Sex Crimes
  Associate(603) 206-7226epeterson@wadleighlaw.com Since joining the firm, Emily’s experience has included trials, appeals and other post-conviction work on a wide variety of state and federal criminal cases including drug distribution, theft, sexual assault...
• Theft
• Assault

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Our corporate attorneys advise clients on important aspects of business and corporate law that affect the creation and operation of businesses. Our team assists clients with governance matters, advises clients on capital structure and voting matters, and assists clients with corporate restructuring.
• Business Formation
• Business Disputes
  He health care arena is rapidly changing, and navigating the myriad laws and regulations can be challenging to most health professionals. The healthcare attorneys at Wadleigh, Starr & Peters focus on the representation of hospitals, physicians and medical practices, continuing care facilities, senior housing and care communities, and mental health practitioners. Our healthcare attorneys comprise a multi-disciplinary team with a wide range of experience, and we are able to draw on the depth of our firm’s expertise in related fields, including business law, public finance, professional malpractice, and employment law.
• Business Transactions
  The School Law team is a full service solution for school districts and school administrative units. We represent school districts and school administrative units throughout the State in all areas of school law, including general matters, student discipline, special education, civil rights, bullying, labor relations, personnel matters, the right-to-know law, school finance, tuition agreements, contracts, bonding issues, district/school administrative unit withdrawal/reorganization, annual meetings, official ballot voting, election recounts, negotiation of tuition agreements. When a client matter crosses disciplines, the team has the ability to draw upon a wide range of attorney resources in the area of commercial transactions, real estate conveyances, land-use, or any other practice area of the firm. In addition, the school attorneys are active in the support of education on a national, regional and state-wide basis, primarily through professional development lectures, seminars, and the support of various legislative initiatives.
• Limited Liability Companies
  Our corporate attorneys counsel clients in all aspects of formation or conversion of business entities. We counsel our clients in the selection of the appropriate business entity, including S corporations, C corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. We prepare and file the documents necessary to establish the governance structures for our clients’ business entities.

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
  We have extensive experience representing both workers and employers in workers’ compensation disputes. We regularly appear before the Workers Compensation Board and have successfully taken cases to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. The attorneys in our workers’ compensation practice area are well-recognized in their field and have conducted trainings and seminars for other attorneys.
• Wrongful Termination
• Employment Discrimination
  The Firm’s School Law attorneys represent school districts on all aspects of employment law, including providing advice and counsel on federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act.  We assist our school district clients in avoiding liability through the development of effective policies and procedures.  When necessary, we assist our clients with nonrenewal and termination hearings.
• Employment Contract
  Our approach to managing workplace relations will focus on helping you avoid litigation in the first place.  We can work with you to make sure that you have strong, enforceable policies in place.  We can train your staff on harassment, discrimination and equal opportunity employment policies.  We can help you draft or review employment contracts, position descriptions, handbooks and applications, as well, all with the goal of complying with the multitude of laws that govern your relationship with your employees.
• Employment Litigation
  Member(603) 206-7282atucker@wadleighlaw.comAbby’s practice focuses on the defense of management in labor and employment disputes, and the defense of medical providers and others in personal injury litigation. She also represents municipalities and school districts in...
• Sexual Harassment

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  W adleigh, Starr & Peters provides exceptional legal services in all areas of commercial real estate law. The breadth and depth of experience reflected in the firm’s real estate team is unmatched in Northern New England. The firm assists clients in implementing practical, effective, and cost-efficient solutions to their real estate matters.
• Construction Litigation
  We are skilled in the prosecution and defense of all types of construction claims and represent owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, architects, and other construction professionals.
• Real Estate Transactions
  The firm represents clients in a broad cross-section of industries in real estate transactions and litigation. The firm’s full service real estate practice serves developers, owners, investors, public agencies, lenders and special servicers, and institutional owners of real estate.
• Easement
• Land Use and Zoning
  Stephen M. Bennett Of Counsel(603) 206-7283sbennett@wadleighlaw.com Steve has extensive experience in municipal law, employment and labor law, planning and zoning and school and special education law, having served as counsel for the City of Nashua for 17 years. He is...
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  Our real estate team is also well-equipped to handle any landlord-tenant related issue that may arise. In doing so, we have successfully represented many landlords and tenants in various cases, including with respect to eviction proceedings, proceedings brought under RSA 540-A, and appeals thereto to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
• Condominium Law
  Our real estate development team has extensive experience in the formation and development of condominiums, including residential condominiums, commercial condominiums, resort communities and mixed-use condominium developments. Our team is also experienced in condominium conversions. We are skilled in the preparation of the documents necessary for the formation and governance of condominium regimes.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Member(603) 206-7225mmortimer@wadleighlaw.comMike practices primarily in the areas of Workers’ Compensation law and personal injury and civil litigation. He has tried several personal injury cases to conclusion before juries and has represented litigants before the...
• Medical Malpractice
  W adleigh, Starr & Peters is a recognized leader in the legal representation of health care providers and health care entities. Our attorneys specialize in defending hospitals, medical practices, nursing homes, and health care practitioners of every kind in medical malpractice claims. Our attorneys are known for working collaboratively and efficiently with health care providers’ professional liability insurers, legal departments, and risk management staff. We also represent physicians and other providers before state regulatory and licensing boards, and have advised hospitals on credentialing, risk management, quality assurance, regulatory matters and other issues.
• Social Security Disability
  (603) 206-7279dlisowski@wadleighlaw.comDanielle joined our team in 2020 with over 10 years of experience in civil litigation including personal injury, insurance claims, workers’ compensation, social security disability, and medical malpractice. She graduated from The...
• Disability Discrimination
  Our robust labor and employment practice frequently involves appearances before the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Public Employee Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the New Hampshire Department of Labor. We regularly defend employers, from small businesses to large corporations and institutions, from claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, disability discrimination, and wrongful discharge. We also handle unfair labor practice complaints, as well as worker’s compensation claims. In each kind of case, our skilled and experienced attorneys will help you chart the best course through the administrative process.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Working with the surviving family on post-mortem estate planning enables us to restructure the decedent’s plan and concentrate on omissions should new facts arise after death.  Ensuring that the surviving family has a proper estate plan in place to continue the legacy of the decedent is of utmost importance. In the rare instance that a disagreement results among family members, we offer our expertise in the area of surrogate litigation.
• Wills
• Trusts
  W adleigh, Starr & Peters provides exceptional legal services in all areas of trusts and estates, from the strategic planning of estate management to the administration of estate and charitable disbursements.
• Power of Attorney
  We work with individuals and families to develop flexible, sophisticated, and comprehensive estate plans, including Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care forms. We help our clients reduce the impact of taxation on wealth and preserve family-owned businesses and assets for the next generation.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
• Foreclosure
  Our real estate team also assists clients with projects involving distressed property. We represent special servicers, banks, and other financial institutions in enforcing their rights and remedies following a loan default. Our team assists lenders and others with foreclosures, receiverships, loan workouts and debt restructuring.
• Tax Law
• Debt Collection
  We have broad expertise in complex commercial litigation of all kinds, including business dissolutions, contractual disagreements, environmental claims, shareholder suits, partnership disputes, debt collection, equipment lease defaults, and other business controversies.