A former shareholder at a Montpelier litigation firm, Ms. Blackman brings more than 10 years experience representing clients in diverse litigation including personal injury, commercial litigation and employment matters. In addition to her trial practice, Ms. Blackman serves as coverage counsel for insurance carriers.

• University of Vermont, B.A., 1989

• Vermont Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1992

• Admissions: Vermont (1993), United States District Court for the District of Vermont (1993)

• Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Employment Law

Mr. Collier joined the firm in 2005 and concentrates on the civil defense of corporations, municipalities and the State of Vermont, with a particular emphasis on defending against constitutional and civil rights claims. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Collier practiced in Philadelphia for eight years, first as an Assistant District Attorney who targeted many of the City’s most violent habitual offenders, and then as an Associate who primarily brought employment discrimination and serious personal injury claims.

Mr. Collier returned to his Vermont roots in 2004 and defended the State against civil claims as an Assistant Attorney General before joining the firm. Mr. Collier has a wealth of trial experience and an extensive background in litigation.

• Colby College, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1991

• University of Michigan, J.D., 1995

• Admissions: Pennsylvania (1995); United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2003); Vermont (2004); United States District Court, District of Vermont (2004); United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (2004)

• Practice areas: Civil Rights, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury, Employment Discrimination

Mr. Freeman joined the firm in 2008 and focuses his practice on civil litigation, including personal injury defense, commercial litigation, insurance law, antitrust law and construction law.  Prior to joining the firm, he worked for several years in general insurance defense and coverage litigation.  Mr. Freeman also has significant experience in complex litigation, including antitrust and securities fraud class actions.

• Vanderbilt University, B.A., 1998

• University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., 2001

• Admissions: Ohio (2001); Vermont (2003); United States District Court, District of Vermont (2003); United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (2005)

Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation, Insurance Defense, Construction Law, General Civil Litigation

Ms. Lynn practices civil litigation in the state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. In addition to general civil litigation, Ms. Lynn’s practice focuses on the defense of school districts for claims arising out of student-on-student harassment/violence, teacher/employee misconduct, employment disputes and special education claims.

Ms. Lynn also counsels educational institutions on a variety of issues including special education law, employment law, civil liability and performs sexual harassment investigations. Ms. Lynn presents at local sexual harassment, special education, and employment law seminars.

• Wellesley College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1991

• American University’s Washington College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1995

• Admissions: Fourth Circuit of Appeals (1996); Virginia (1996 – inactive); District of Columbia, Court of Appeals (1998); Vermont (1998); United States District Court, District of Vermont (1998)

• Practice Areas: Education Law, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury, Employment Law

Mr. Lynn has a statewide litigation and counseling practice in the areas of civil rights, personal injury, employment, school law and general civil litigation. Mr. Lynn has a special expertise in defending traumatic brain injury claims, and authored a chapter on discovery techniques in such claims in PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURIES AT TRIAL, a text published by the American Bar Association. He is also an appointed member of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council.

As one of Vermont’s most active trial attorneys, Mr. Lynn has successfully tried over 75 jury trials to verdict. As general counsel to the Vermont Sheriffs’ Association, Mr. Lynn provides regular counseling and training to law enforcement personnel across the state. Mr. Lynn is a frequent lecturer at seminars and annual meetings of a variety of private and public entities.

• Hamilton College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1987

• Boston College, J.D., 1990

• Admissions: Vermont (1990); United States District Court, District of Vermont (1990); United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (1993); United States Supreme Court (1995)

• Practice Areas: Civil Rights, Personal Injury, Employment, School Law and General Civil Litigation

Mr. Marlin’s practice focuses on civil litigation, including personal injury, premises liability, employment, civil rights, commercial and construction law.

Ms. Mihalich focuses on the defense of commercial and municipal clients in litigation involving civil rights, personal injury defense, municipal law, insurance law, contract claims, and products liability. She has particular experience with coverage and other insurance issues, including tortious bad faith and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Ms. Mihalich also has an active appellate practice, handling matters of first impression before the Vermont Supreme Court.

• University of Vermont, B.A., cum laude, 1993

• Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 1997

• Admissions: Massachusetts (1997); United States District Court, District of Massachusetts (1998); Vermont (2001); United States District Court, District of Vermont (2001)

• Practice Areas: Civil Rights, Personal Injury Defense, Municipal Law, and Insurance Law