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stages of life, including young clients planning for the arrival of a first child, middle-aged clients revisiting outdated estate plans, and older clients updating documents after the loss of a spouse.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

        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Construction Attorney Cassie Dufon

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to welcome Cassie Dufon to the firm’s Construction Group as an Associate, resident in the firm’s Portland...
        Press Releases

        Verrill’s Wide-Ranging Private Wealth Law Practice Recognized in 2026 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide

        BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine and BOSTON, Mass. – Verrill attorneys Kenneth P. Brier, Anya F. Endsley, Kurt E. Klebe, Mary McQuillen, Nathaniel S....
        Blog

        Update on Status of Maine Packaging EPR

        In December 2024, Verrill published a blog post, Unwrapping Maine's Gift to the Environment: A New Packaging Stewardship Program Set to Launch in...
        Blog

        Voluntary Benefits Move into the ERISA Litigation Crosshairs

        Employee-paid accident, critical-illness, cancer, and hospital-indemnity insurance have long occupied a quiet corner of employee benefit plan...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Maine’s New Employer Surveillance Law, 26 M.R.S. § 620-A

        Effective July 14, 2026 Maine employers that electronically monitor employees must comply with a new disclosure law effective July 14, 2026. Under...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Recognized by U.S. News as One of the Best Law Firms to Work for in 2026

        BOSTON, Mass., BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine, GREENWICH and WESTPORT, Conn., – Verrill has been featured on U.S. News’ 2026 Best Companies to Work...
        Blog

        SECURE 2.0 Roth Catch-Up Rules and the 403(b) 15-Year Catch-Up: What Tax-Exempt Employers Need to Know

        Tax-exempt employers whose 403(b) plans offer catch-up contributions for participants age 50 and above should be well on their way to compliance with...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Quoted in Law360 on SIMAD Summer Camp Bankruptcy Sale

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article examining the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings involving SIMAD Holdings and...
        Media Mentions

        Chris Tsouros Featured in Law360’s Coverage of Sports Real Estate Deals

        Verrill Partner Chris Tsouros was recently recognized in a Law360 article highlighting law firms involved in significant sports real estate projects...
        Blog

        What Maine’s New Employer Surveillance Law Means for Maine Employers

        Maine employers who monitor their workforce, whether through productivity software, GPS, call recording, or cameras, have a new compliance obligation...
        Blog

        Run Don’t Walk: The Implication of “While Supplies Last” Prize Promotions

        This month a big-chain grocery store has been offering daily mystery boxes during specific timed drops on a first-come, first-served basis, to users...
        Blog

        Maine’s Noncompete Statute is Reshaped for Health Care Workers: What You Need to Know

        Employers of individuals who are licensed under state law to perform, or provide, health care services in the State of Maine should be prepared for...