January 22, 2025 - Press Releases

        Verrill Elects Attorneys Rachel A. Deering, Dena W. Hirsch, and Benjamin Shwartz as Partners

        BOSTON, Mass. – Verrill is pleased to announce that Rachel A. Deering, Dena W. Hirsch, and Benjamin Shwartz were recently elected to the Firm’s partnership, effective January 1, 2025.

        Deering focuses her practice on divorce, child custody, removal, paternity, alimony, modification proceedings, and contempt proceedings. Deering also works with clients to negotiate and structure prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. An experienced litigator, Deering has appeared, argued, and tried cases throughout Massachusetts, including high conflict custody and parenting disputes, removal disputes, contested Guardian Ad Litem investigations, and complex asset division involving the valuation of financial assets and closely held businesses. Deering received her law degree from Suffolk University Law School and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts.

        Hirsch’s practice encompasses all aspects of trusts and estates law. Using a thoughtful and common-sense approach, Hirsch assists individuals and families with estate and tax planning at different stages of life, including young clients planning for the arrival of a first child, middle-aged clients revisiting outdated estate plans, and older clients updating documents after the loss of a spouse. Hirsch also works closely with families to guide them through estate and trust administration. She assists fiduciaries with locating and collecting assets, preparing tax returns, and making distributions to beneficiaries. Hirsch has significant experience handling matters in probate courts throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hirsch received her law degree, cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School and her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.

        Shwartz focuses his practice on a range of corporate issues, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and commercial contracts. Shwartz advises clients on matters that occur throughout a business’s life cycle, including entity selection, employment issues, joint venture transactions, outside funding, sale transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. He frequently serves as outside general counsel to businesses, working closely with business leaders to help them navigate the intricacies of corporate law and providing transactional representation that is based on each client’s specific goals. Shwartz received his law degree from Suffolk University Law School, his master’s from Suffolk University Sawyer Business School, and his bachelor’s degree from Bates College.

        Firm Highlights

        Published Works

        Four Verrill Attorneys Co-Author Massachusetts Trends and Developments Chapter for Chambers and Partners Child Relocation 2026 Guide

        Verrill attorneys Mary H. Schmidt, Rachel A. Deering, Hannah R. Zukoff, and Mariah G. Tappan co-authored the “Trends and Developments” chapter...
        Blog

        A New Protected Class in Maine: Holders of Final Protection Orders

        In the lead-up to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, employers may be taking a closer look at how their policies and practices respond to...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Verrill Secures SJC Victory for Boston Legacy FC in White Stadium Litigation

        Verrill has secured a significant appellate victory for Boston Legacy FC in the litigation challenging the redevelopment of White Stadium in...
        Blog

        Hurry Up and Wait

        This is the third in a series of Verrill blog posts on Maine’s packaging extended producer responsibility (“EPR”) law[1]. In July we reported...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Discusses First Brands Chapter 11 Case in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article examining the rejection of First Brands Group's Chapter 11 plan and the...
        Media Mentions

        Cybersecurity and AI Governance: Scott Anderson Featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        Verrill Managing Partner Scott Anderson was recently featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly discussing how law firms can build attorney buy-in for...
        Blog

        Section 530A Account Update: ERISA Status of Trump Accounts

        The Department of Labor has issued important guidance addressing whether employer programs that permit contributions to Section 530A accounts (and...
        Press Releases

        97 Verrill Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2027, Including Four Named Lawyers of the Year

        AUGUSTA, Maine, BANGOR, Maine, BOSTON, Mass., PORTLAND, Maine, and WESTPORT, Conn., (August 20, 2026) – Verrill is proud to announce that 97...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        SEC’s Proposed “Reg Crypto”: What Founders Need to Know

        Startup founders and emerging-growth companies have a number of options for raising capital under the federal securities laws, including Regulation D...
        Blog

        After 45 Years, the IRS Speaks on DCAP Nondiscrimination Testing – And It’s Good News

        Employers that provide a Dependent Care Assistance Program will be pleased to learn that for the first time in 45 years, the IRS has issued guidance...
        Media Mentions

        U.S. Courts Highlights Annabel Rodriguez’s Journey from Fellow to Mentor

        Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez was featured in a recent U.S. Courts article titled “From Fellows to Mentors: Alumni Share Lasting Lessons from...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Discusses Bankruptcy Auction Strategy in Law360

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach spoke with Law360 article examining the complex bankruptcy auction process that resulted in the sale of 23 summer...