Biography

Rachel lends her experience and unique perspective to assisting clients of all backgrounds in navigating the challenges and complexities of divorce, child custody, and other family related matters.

Rachel has practiced family law since 2014 and has worked in family law for over a decade. Admitted to practice law in both Massachusetts and New York, Rachel focuses her practice on divorce, child custody, removal, paternity, alimony, modifications proceedings, and contempt proceedings. Rachel also works with clients to negotiate and structure prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. An experienced litigator, Rachel 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. Rachel also has extensive experience assisting clients with Guardian Ad Litem investigations and working with Parenting Coordinators. In addition to her court room advocacy skills, Rachel uses her skill and creativity to resolve matters for her clients and design and negotiate the agreements implementing those resolutions.

In 2021, Rachel’s peers nominated her a “Rising Star” among Massachusetts ‘Super Lawyers,” - a designation reserved for only 2.5% of Massachusetts attorneys based on peer nominations and a rigorous selection process.

In addition to advocacy on behalf of clients both in and out of the courtroom, Rachel volunteers her time and skills to the “Attorneys Representing Children Program” (“ARC”) at the Norfolk Probate and Family Court, where the Court appoints her to represent the interests of children in high conflict divorce and probate matters. She also donates her time to the “Lawyer of the Day” program in both Essex and Norfolk counties, and has provided pro bono legal services through the Northeast Judicial Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Rachel was raised in Long Island, and now makes Lowell, Massachusetts her home, where she lives with her husband, Steve, and their Boston Terrier, Charley. Rachel is an avid skier and lover of all winter sports. When she’s not in the office, Rachel can be found hiking, snow shoeing, reading, and exploring new restaurants.

Services/Industries

Education

  • Suffolk University Law School  (J.D.)
  • University of Massachusetts, Amherst  (B.A., cum laude)

Public Service

  • Volunteer, Attorneys Representing Children (“ARC”) Program

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • New York

Memberships

  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Boston Bar Association
  • Greater Newburyport Bar Association

Honors

  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Star, Family Law

Firm Highlights

Publication/Podcast

U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad with Ruth Mattson

Verrill partner Ruth Mattson was recently featured on The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel 's podcast series Trust and Estate Talk . In this podcast, U.S. Tax Considerations When Buying Property Abroad...

Blog

GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH!

Remember that old parody of the Battle Hymn of the Republic we used to sing before there was an Internet? There are apparently many versions, but they all generally involve children inflicting various types...

Blog

Tesla’s Cybertruck Raffle

On May 11, 2023, @BabyTesla3 sent out a Tweet: NEW: Tesla has revamped the Referral program and introduced a new loyalty program! Here’s what you need to know • S/X: 3,500 credits (referrer) &bull...

Matter

Advised Fortune 500 Company on Group Health and Welfare Benefit Plans

We were engaged by a Fortune 500 manufacturing company to provide legal and compliance services regarding its group health and welfare benefit plans. During the course of our representation, we have advised the company...

Blog

New Options for Retirement Plan Distributions Under SECURE 2.0

This post summarizes the new distribution options, including penalty-free withdrawals, applicable to defined contribution plans under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) and provides a timeline of their effective dates. The new...

Matter

Elections and Constitutional Law: Successfully Challenged Certification of Initiative Petition

In a victory for consumers and the ride-hailing public, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently barred the Secretary of State from placing on the November ballot initiative petitions proposed by companies such as Uber...

News

Jim Cohen Discusses “No Blank Checks” Citizen Initiative Before Maine Legislative Committee

Verrill Partner Jim Cohen was recently quoted in a Spectrum News article " Maine Ballot Initiative To Require Voter Approval For $1B Borrowing Gets Broad Support.” Maine LD 1772 is a citizen-initiated ballot question...

Event

Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups

Verrill associate Emily Waddell will be presenting at PROPEL 's Virtual Lunch & Learn: Human Resources in Small Business/Startups. In addition to presenters sharing their expertise, this session covers various Human Resource topics including...

Publication/Podcast

State Trademark Registration

The United States has two levels of trademark registration: state and federal. A state trademark registration is issued by a state office and protects a trademark only in that state, whereas a federal trademark...

News

Verrill Welcomes Partner Andrew M. Walsh to Firm’s Business Law Group

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700