Hampden County Lawyers

I am a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law (class of 1984). I became a lawyer to help people and to make a meaningful contribution to the betterment of our society and to social justice. That remains the core of my professional orientation..

My goal is to make estate planning, a necessary process, both easy and empowering. Planning for death and incapacity is not high on anyone’s list. But you owe it to yourself and your family to get those proverbial ducks in a row. I will explain things clearly and patiently, so that you understand the process, the documents themselves, and the outcome. I use flat fee billing for estate plans, so that you will know the cost at the start of the process and not worry about accruing fees. Best of all, you will have exercised some control over the uncontrollable.

Robert A. Ferris began as a 3:03 Prosecutor and moved to Criminal Defense upon being sworn in. Attorney Ferris then went on to also be sworn in at the federal level. Attorney Ferris worked as a Bar Advocate (criminal defense district court panel) taking hundreds of Criminal Cases, ultimately finding his Niche in Domestic Violence Law, Restraining Orders, OUIs and Assault. Attorney Ferris not only represents the accused, but also does victim advocacy as well. Going up against the State can be like facing a boxing Goliath; never walk into this fight unprepared or under-matched. Never let police make false accusations, never...

I graduated from Washington University in 1985 and obtained my J.D. degree from Northeastern University School of Law in 1988. I clerked for the justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court from 1988-1989 and in 1989 began practicing as an attorney with Burres Fidnick and Booth. I became a partner at what then became Burres Fidnick Booth and Kaufman in 1996. In 2004, after 15 years of working with my law partners I decided to start a solo practice. Since 1989 my practice has concentrated in the area of domestic relations. This includes divorces, paternities, divorce modifications, work with non-traditional families,...

Thomas Estes has in the practice of law for over 22 years in various capacities, including Associate Justice of the District Court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

After receiving his law degree from William & Mary School of Law, He was a successful Patent and Trademark Litigation Attorney in Virginia, then moved on to becoming a Public Defender in Northern Virginia, where he very passionately defended indigent clients.

Thomas moved to Massachusetts in 2002 where he first worked as a Public Defender and in 2006 was promoted to Attorney-in-Charge for Committee for Public Counsel Services.

In 2014, Thomas became a District...

From Engineer to Business Manager to Entrepreneur to Technology Director and now Lawyer. Whatever your profession -- Whatever your situation -- I can understand and relate. Your first visit with me is free, so don't hesitate to call me to set up an appointment.

Marissa Elkins is a proven litigator, comfortable in any courtroom environment. Whether a case involves a trial before a jury of twelve in Superior Court or six in District Court, or complicated legal motions and arguments before a judge, Attorney Elkins has the experience and legal expertise to represent clients zealously and with integrity. With experience in courts throughout Western Massachusetts and the rest of the Commonwealth, she is an attorney that commands respect for her clients and works to get them favorable results at every stage of litigation.

I am a mediator and collaborative lawyer focused on helping families resolve conflicts without the harm of a public court trial. I have more than 20 years experience as a lawyer including working for legal aid, for the Commission on Judicial Conduct, and in my own solo practice. I teach mediation at Western New England University Law School and have written a book about how to represent yourself in Court. In 2023 I will be the President of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council.

Amherst Attorney with 35 years experience. Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating of AV Preeminent® www.martindale.com/ratings. Areas of practice include civil litigation in Massachusetts state and federal court, business law, intellectual property, consumer law, land disputes; real estate law, landlord/tenant, estate planning and business consulting. Attorney Szumowski has extensive complex business litigation experience, including multi-party, multi-district litigation. Admitted to practice in California in 1985 (presently inactive), Attorney Szumowski has been admitted in Massachusetts since 2002.

I have 16 years of experience in Family Law. I started in the Boston Courts and moved out to Western MA in 2004 so I have longstanding relationships with the Courts and practitioners in this area. I will help you negotiate family changes. If you are contemplating a dissolution of your marriage I will help you decide the best course of action for you considering your individual situation and the needs of your family. There are many choices including: mediation, attorney assisted mediation, attorney negotiated settlements and litigation. Changes in your family situation can be very stressful and disruptive...

Michael’s practice is focused on civil litigation, including disputes involving employmentpersonal injury, medical malpractice, housing, and civil rights law. Prior to joining Lesser, Newman & Nasser, Michael practiced at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights in Boston, Massachusetts, where he represented victims of race and national origin discrimination. Before practicing at the Lawyers’ Committee, Michael practiced employment law in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, California. In addition to practicing law, Michael has taught legal writing and research at American University Washington College of Law, Golden Gate University School of Law, and New England Law Boston, and he has...

Ryan Schiff is a partner at Elkins, Auer, Rudof & Schiff in Northampton. His practice is focused on appellate litigation and criminal and juvenile defense. He has briefed and argued a wide range of cases before the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. His trial-court experience ranges from complex first-degree murder and federal racketeering cases to trespassing and drug-possession cases. Before joining his firm, Ryan was the Director of Juvenile Appeals at the Committee for Public Counsel Services, and a staff attorney in CPCS’s Special Litigation Unit. Ryan is...