Biography

Valerie is a business lawyer who has experience with a wide range of real estate, corporate and individual matters, including trust and probate administration, as well as title-related matters.

In the real estate area, Valerie represents individuals, businesses, non-profit corporations and governmental units in various real estate-based transactions, including purchases and sales, financing arrangements, leases, 1031 exchanges, and eminent domain takings. She also works in the development of affordable housing and assists with creation of appropriate ownership entities. A title insurance agent, Swett is expert in title matters, with a particular emphasis on Nantucket titles.

Valerie’s trusts and estates practice focuses on representing private clients in trust and probate administration. She deals with tax and accounting issues related to such administrations and consults with fiduciaries and beneficiaries regarding trust and estates issues. She also advises clients regarding estate planning and wealth disposal issues and serves as a fiduciary for trusts and estates.

With over 40 years of experience, Valerie previously was a shareholder at Boston law firm Deutsch Williams Brooks DeRensis & Holland, P.C., where she served as Senior Managing Principal.

Services/Industries

Education

  • Northwestern University  (J.D.)
  • University of Rochester  (B.A.)
    • Economics

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • Illinois

Memberships

  • CREW Boston
  • American Bar Association (Real Property, Probate and Trust Section)
  • Massachusetts Bar Association (Property Law and Probate Sections)
  • Boston Bar Association
  • Christian Legal Society
  • Boston Estate Planning Council
  • Women Presidents Organization Boston II Chapter

Honors

  • Martidale Hubbell AV Preeminent (5.0/5.0) for over 20 years

To learn more about third-party ratings and rankings, and the selection processes used for inclusion, click here.

Firm Highlights

Blog

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposes National Drinking Water Standard for Six PFAS Compounds

On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”). PFAS are a category of manufactured chemicals that...

Event

Maine HR Convention: Workshop A: Out of Sight, Out of Mind-Legal Implications of Proximity Bias

Join Verrill's Tawny L. Alvarez at the 2023 Maine HR Convention where she will be presenting Workshop A:Out of Sight, Out of Mind-Legal Implications of Proximity Bias. Proximity bias can raise discrimination issues for...

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...

Event

Maine HR Convention: Workshop C: What Every Plan Sponsor Needs to Know-Your Fiduciary Duties in 2023

Join Verrill's Christopher S. Lockman at the 2023 Maine HR Convention where he will be presenting Workshop C: What Every Plan Sponsor Needs to Know-Your Fiduciary Duties in 2023 . This workshop will review...

Blog

HR Power Hour with Sabine Gedeon

Publication/Podcast

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say…Gorelick v. Star Markets: A Study in Indemnity

Indemnity clauses in contracts are a valuable tool for allocating risk among the contracting parties, most often risk attendant to personal injury and property damage, and their effect can be far-reaching. Despite their significance...

Publication/Podcast

Whole Foods Win Shows Workplace Rules Can Shield Cos.

Verrill attorney Liz Johnston was recently published in Law360 for her article “Whole Foods Win Shows Workplace Rules Can Shield Cos.” In the article, Johnston discusses the recent decision in Kinzer v. Whole Foods...

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...

News

Verrill's Norman Belanger and Betts Gorsky Featured in Mainebiz Article

News

David Lazarus Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Article Regarding Cryptocurrency Whistleblowing.

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700