Orr & Reno Land Use attorneys Richard Y. Uchida and John L. Arnold successfully advocated for amendments to the Jaffrey site plan regulations designed to facilitate the expansion of a manufacturing facility owned by a leading global manufacturer of medical and pharmaceutical supplies. Those amendments, which were in large part authored by the attorneys, were approved by the planning board on January 10, 2012. They pave the way for expansion of the business while safeguarding the surrounding community through appropriate restrictions on sound, odor and groundwater protection. Uchida and Arnold also sought amendments to the Jaffrey zoning ordinance to enlarge the area available for future expansion by the manufacturer. At their urging, the planning board voted to sponsor the proposed zoning amendments, which will face final voter approval in March.

The Supreme Court of New Hampshire has appointed Attorney Richard Y. Uchida to serve as Co-Chair of the Access to Justice Commission, effective January 17, 2012.

The Commission was established in 2007 to expand access to and enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters for New Hampshire residents. Among its objectives are working to increase resources, funding, education and accessibility to the legal system of persons with limited financial means within New Hampshire and to foster the integration of a statewide civil legal services delivery system. The Commission is charged with developing and implementing policy initiatives to effectively move ideas to action.

Attorney Uchida is a Director and Shareholder at the law firm of Orr & Reno, P.A. and concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, land use planning and zoning, general business and attorney discipline matters. He is a past President of the New Hampshire Bar Association and a Director of the New Hampshire Bar Foundation. In addition, he serves as Chair of the Statewide Civil Legal Services Planning Group.

Attorney Uchida will co-chair the Access to Justice Commission along with United State District Court Judge Joseph N. LaPlante. The appointment is a three year term.

On December 20, 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed rulings achieved by Orr & Reno attorneys Marty Van Oot and John L. Arnold dismissing a tenured Professor’s claims against the University of New Hampshire. The First Circuit concluded that Professor John Collins could not pursue claims for false arrest, due process violations or defamation against the University for discipline it imposed following his violent outburst on the Durham campus. After Collins unleashed an explicative-laden tirade against a colleague, he was arrested by University police and suspended with pay pending an internal investigation. The University also banned Collins from campus and issued a press release and department-wide email disclosing the arrest and suspension. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the University stripped Collins of his title as Department Chair, and ordered him to complete anger management courses and to provide a written apology for his conduct. Orr & Reno successfully defended the University’s actions. Click HERE to view a copy of the opinion.

On November 22, 2011, the New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed an award of over $3.55 Million against the State of New Hampshire obtained by Orr & Reno attorneys Lisa Snow Wade and Rachel Goldwasser for seven residential child care providers. Wade represented these providers through three administrative appeals and two prior trips to the Supreme Court in order to obtain the rates they were promised by contract and regulation for the services they provided in 2004, 2005 and 2006 to some of this State’s neediest children. When the State still refused to reimburse the providers at the awarded rates, Wade and Goldwasser pursued enforcement of the rates in the Superior Court. Wade is pleased with the result. She stated: “These non-profit organizations were only asking that they be paid what they were promised by the State’s own laws and contracts with them. This decision affirms that the State must keep its promises just like its citizens must do. We understand the fiscal constraints of these times, but these organizations shouldn’t be asked to shoulder the State’s obligation to care for these children.”

Click HERE to read the New Hampshire Business Review article titled Corporate philanthropy: Giving, and getting back.

James F. Laboe was again interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel regarding a high-profile OSHA case against SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment involving the death of a trainer who was pulled underwater by a 6-ton killer whale. Click HERE to read the article.

Orr & Reno was recognized on October 4, 2011, at the Corporate Friends Annual Reception, for their efforts on behalf of the Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center and the fight against cancer. Orr & Reno took part in this year's Prouty event, which helped raise more than $2.4 million to benefit the Dartmouth Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Over the years, Orr & Reno attorneys have played an active role, including James Bassett who presently sits on the board.

Pictured are John Souther, Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center board chair and Orr & Reno attorneys Lawrence Kelly, Michael Ramsdell, Lisa Snow Wade, James Bassett, Judith Fairclough and Connie Boyles Lane.

Attorneys Peter Burger and Vera Buck present Passing the Torch on Tuesday, October 18th at Six South Street Hotel in Hanover from noon to 1pm.

Learn about moving assets from the senior generation to the next generation in a tax efficient manner, while preserving family relationships and the business. Click HERE to download their presentation.

On Tuesday, November 1st, attorneys Maureen Smith and Connie Lane discuss the Legal Aspects of Going Green from noon to 1pm at Six South Street Hotel in Hanover. Click HERE to download their presentation.

Explore the options for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and the top legal challenges in pursuing green certification for development projects.

Join us for a little lunch and legal insight. Reserve your spot today for these free events from Orr & Reno. Call Jessi Tilton at 603-223-9142 or email JTilton@orr-reno.com.

Running a business in today’s information marketplace can be challenging. The Internet presents incredible opportunities for reaching new markets and growing established markets, but it also is a perfect environment for that dissatisfied customer or unethical competitor to undermine your reputation and goodwill. This seminar will look at the issue of defamation on the internet, review a business’ legal options when a transaction goes bad and unfriendly words start flying, and open the discussion for non-legal ways to combat harm to reputation on the internet.

Presented October 18, 2011, at 8 a.m., at the offices of Orr & Reno, P.A., by Jeremy D. Eggleton, Esq., in collaboration with the Greater Concord Area Chamber of Commerce.

Connie Boyles Lane's article, "HUD Issues Final SAFE Act Rule - Now What Do We Do?" was published in the September 16, 2011 issue of NH Bar News. In the article, Connie explains why HUD's rule still does not allow NH attorneys to represent consumers in loan modifications and the impact of the rule on the de minimus exception from licensing in RSA 397-A. Connie has been following the SAFE Act for the NH Bar Association in her role as immediate past chair of the Real Property Section, and leads an ad hoc committee that is seeking resolutions to the issues raised in RSA 397-A. To read the article, CLICK HERE.

Attorney Maureen D. Smith, a member of the firm's Ethics and Professional Liability Practice Group, has been appointed to serve as Chair of the NH Bar Association Ethics Committee until September 2012. Smith formerly served as Vice Chair of the Ethics Committee. The Committee issues opinions and provides guidance to New Hampshire attorneys on ethics issues that arise under the New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct.