Greater Newburyport Bar Association
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT GARY TODD
Gary Todd, a Founding Partner at Todd & Weld LLP, is recognized locally and nationally as a preeminent family law practitioner specializing in domestic relations and probate litigation. He has successfully negotiated, mediated and tried numerous family law issues at the trial court and appellate levels, including divorce, custody, parental rights, complex support matters, property division, removal, modification, contempt actions, and complex financial valuation. He has prepared and negotiated numerous Prenuptial and Postnuptial agreements. Mr. Todd is consistently recognized for professional excellence, having been named from 2012 to present in Best Lawyers in America, a longstanding and well-respected peer review publication, in Family Law, and Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and from 2004 to present in Super Lawyers for Family Law. Mr. Todd is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the directory's highest possible peer rating. Mr. Todd is a recognized leader in the legal profession having served in a variety of bar association roles. He previously served as President of the Massachusetts Family and Probate American Inn of Court, is a Board Member of MAGAL and Greater Newburyport Bar Association and is an Executive Committee Member of the Judge Abber Counsel Assisted Negotiation Program for Essex, Middlesex and Norfolk Counties Probate and Family Courts.
VICE PRESIDENT MAUREEN BOOTH
Maureen Booth, Turco Legal, Newburyport. Maureen brings over 18 years of legal experience to her practice as a partner at Turco Legal in Newburyport. As an accomplished divorce and family law litigator, Attorney Booth represents clients in complex divorce and child custody cases, as well as child support and alimony matters, modifications, and contempt cases. Maureen is not only a masterful litigator, however. In addition to that, she is a Certified Financial Litigator who earned her designation from the American Academy for Certified Financial Litigators. She also has extensive experience as a Guardian ad Litem in high-conflict family law cases, and as “ARC” counsel through the “Attorneys Representing Children” program. Attorney Booth is also active in Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers and other legal and non-legal volunteer programs. Maureen’s legal experience is not limited to her time as an attorney. Beginning in 1987 through her admission to law school, Attorney Booth worked as both a litigation paralegal and as a paralegal in corporate legal departments. Her time as a paralegal set a solid foundation for her legal career. It also enabled her to hone her investigative, research, and detail-oriented skills.
TREASURER MICHAEL XAVIER
Michael Xavier, Prince Lobel, Boston. Michael has more than 20 years of experience working with families in distress caused by divorce, custody, child removal, modification, guardianship, and will contests. Michael’s practice includes the representation of clients in matters involving complex asset division and high conflict parenting disputes. He is often appointed by the Courts as a Discovery Master, a Guardian ad litem, and as an Attorney for children. He has presented at numerous conferences on topics involving child support, high conflict parenting matters, complex asset matters, and evidentiary issues in trying cases. He was a faculty member of Suffolk University Law School’s Advanced Legal Studies program titled, Same-Sex Marriage, Divorce and Parentage Issues on What is the Portability of Legal Rights for Same Sex Couples: Marriage, Divorce, Parentage, Adoption, and Helping Your Clients With Cultural Issues/Differences in the Courtroom. Michael was an assistant district attorney in the office of the Bristol County D.A, where he gained some early experience in litigation and criminal prosecution. Fresh out of law school, Michael began growing his legal skills as a law clerk to the Superior Court Justices of Mass., which gave him an excellent foundation upon which to build his own legal practice.
SECRETARY/CLERK CAROLE WAGAN
Carole Wagan, Secretary/Clerk C.W. CONSULTING CO., Newburyport, MA, President and Founder (July 2015) Recently launched consulting services in the areas of professional development, conference and program planning, board management, strategic planning, meeting facilitation, as well as strategies for non-profits to improve operations. Suffolk University Law School, Boston,1992 – 2015, Director of Academic Programs and Professional Education (2014 – 2015) Advanced growth and recognition of signature practice concentrations. Director, Center for Advanced Legal Studies (1992 – 2014) Revamped and revitalized dormant CLE program, creating comprehensive curriculum across the spectrum of practice areas and experience levels for all members of the profession. Managed content, program development, marketing, budgeting, and accreditation of 40+ new programs per year. Facilitated 150+ meetings yearly with hundreds of professionals. Established thriving niche in competitive CLE market, generating 3,000 registrations per year and $200,000. Piloted and developed programming to meet strategic goals. Received national recognition for programming excellence. Cultivated key collaborations with outside organizations. 2014 Recipient, Arthur Stavisky Award from Mass. Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE
ATTORNEY JUDITH N. COWAN, THE LAW OFFICE OF JUDITH N. COWAN, DANVERS
ATTORNEY PATTY DAVIS, DAVIS & DAVIS, N. READING
ATTORNEY THERESA READE, READE LAW FIRM, DANVERS
ATTORNEY NICOLE REILLY, LAW OFFICE OF NICOLE REILLY, AMESBURY
ATTORNEY LEN SPADA, LYNN
ATTORNEY BRIANNA SULLIVAN, KAZAROSIAN COSTELLO LLP, HAVERHILL
ATTORNEY THOMAS TARANTO, LAW OFFICE OF THOMAS TARANTO, SALEM
ATTORNEY MICHAEL XAVIER, PRINCE LOBEL, BOSTON
MEMBER DIRECTORY: Members only site
GNBA'S CHARITABLE DONATIONS
Newburyport Adult Education
Newburyport Literary Festival
Ukraine/Save the Children
Ukraine /World Kitchen