Verrill Announces New Leadership Changes in Support of Its Plans for Strategic Growth

(September 29, 2021) – Verrill is pleased to announce that the firm has elevated Chrissie Eastin to Director of Human Resources and Robert Wright to Director of Office Operations as the firm continues to focus on growth, operational effectiveness, and client value. The elevations come on the heels of the firm welcoming its new Chief Operating Officer and law firm industry veteran, James Durham, and the retirement of Verrill’s longtime Director of Human Resources, Michele Pattenaude, who was with the firm for 20 years.

“Even though I have been at the firm for a relatively short time, Chrissie and Rob have both impressed me from day one with their commitment to the firm, their knowledge of our business, their way with people, and their incredible work ethic,” said James Durham, Verrill’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are fortunate to have two such capable and terrific people to take on these important leadership roles.”

Eastin has more than 22 years of leadership experience in handling all facets of law firm operations and human resources, most recently serving as Verrill’s Boston Office Administrator. Prior to joining Verrill, Eastin has held a variety of management and leadership roles in firm administration and human resources, including Director of Administration for a boutique wealth management firm in Boston. She was responsible for legal support administration and legal recruitment and retention for a large international law firm and directed human resources, facility, and operation administration at two large regional firms. She has a wide range of experience encompassing legal project management, change management, employee and attorney development, organizational development, financials, budgeting and profitability. She is an active member of the Association of Legal Administrators, NALP and SHRM in which she held local executive leadership board roles. Eastin earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Wright has more than 20 years of experience serving in leadership roles, including three years as Verrill’s Legal Services Manager and nine years as the Office Manager at a professional services firm where he led administrative teams, established policies and procedures, streamlined process, and led multiple renovation projects. Throughout his career, Wright has been responsible for budget management for administrative, facilities, vendor, and office supply operations. Additionally, Rob has served in the U.S. Army as a Systems Administrator, and the U.S. Marine Corp as a Battalion Administrative Chief. He received his Master of Science in Management from Southern New Hampshire University and completed a Supervision Program at University of Southern Maine, in addition to courses taken while in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.

“We greatly value the contributions and perspectives that Chrissie and Rob have made during their time with Verrill,” said K.C. Jones, Verrill’s Managing Partner. “We look forward to continuing to work with them in their new roles as we work together to take our firm to the next level. Each plays a crucial role in our growth and preserving our core values.”

In August and September, Verrill welcomed five new staff members and two new attorneys in both the firm’s Boston and Portland, Maine offices, with three additional attorneys joining in the first half of October.