Best Family Lawyer in New Hampshire

Shaunna L. Browne

Family Lawyer

Attorney Shaunna L. Browne was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. After graduating from Memorial High School she attended the University of New Hampshire in Durham and then transferred to Notre Dame College where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies.

Attorney Browne’s first law related employment opportunity occurred when she began working as a Court Assistant with the Hillsborough County Probate Court. She was then hired as a real estate paralegal for a national firm that concentrated in the areas of bankruptcy, foreclosure, and evictions.

  • In 1995, Attorney Browne graduated from Notre Dame College and began law school at New England School of Law, in Boston, Massachusetts. During her law school career, Attorney Browne worked as a family law paralegal for a sole practitioner who operates a successful family law practice in Manchester. After four years of working full time and commuting to Boston three evenings a week, Attorney Browne graduated and was subsequently admitted to the New Hampshire Bar.

    Upon her admission to the New Hampshire Bar, Attorney Browne began practicing as an associate attorney, primarily in the area of family law. She has found that family law is a varied and dynamic area of practice. She is very aware of the emotionally charged atmosphere that family law matters create and is accustomed to dealing with a variety of minor and major “emergency” situations. She has litigated very complex and difficult divorce, custody and abuse and neglect matters and has strived to utilize her years of training and education to obtain the positive results every client deserves.

Heather M. Sekella

Family Lawyer

Areas of Practice

  • Family Law

Bar Admissions

  • New Hampshire

Education

  • Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord, New Hampshire
    • Juris Doctorate – 1999
  • Notre Dame College
    • B.S. – 1992
    • Major: Paralegal Studies
  • University of New Hampshire
    • Associates Degree cum laude
    • Major: Business Management

Honors and Awards

  • The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers of 2017
  • National Academy of Family law Lawyers Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney for 2017
  • American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10 Best in Client Satisfaction for 2016
  • BBB Accredited
  • AVVO Client’s Choice Award

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Bar Association Family Law Section, Member
  • New Hampshire Bar Association Family Law Section, Member
  • Manchester Bar Association, Member
  • New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association, Member
  • The American Academy for Certified Financial Litigators

Xiorli C. Bernazzani

Family Lawyer

Attorney Xiorli Bernazzani was born and raised in Venezuela. She immigrated to the United States with her family in the late 1980s and became a citizen of the United States in January of 2006. She is a native Spanish speaker, and she has working knowledge of Italian, German, and Portuguese. Attorney Bernazzani earned her law degree from New England School of Law after her undergraduate education at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she met her husband, whom she has been with for over 23 years. She and her husband are the parents of four beautiful children.

Upon graduating from law school in 2002, Attorney Bernazzani decided to take a “break” from the law and venture into another one of her passions — teaching. She became an ESOL (English for Students of Other Languages) teacher, helping immigrant students with the daunting task of learning the English language. Her students primarily ranged from kindergarten up to 8th grade. Attorney Bernazzani also worked as a part-time ESOL professor at the Nashua Technical Institute. After two years of working as an ESOL teacher, Attorney Bernazzani decided she was ready to go back to the law. Although she enjoyed teaching immensely, she felt compelled to help the community further by utilizing the law degree she had worked so hard to get. In 2004, she became employed with the Law Office of Amy Wolfson in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Katherine J. Morneau

Family Lawyer

I am a dedicated family lawyer and business owner. I am known for helping good people through tough times, such as divorce and parenting matters. As a child of an amicable divorce, I know how hard divorce can be on children, even in the best of situations. With a focus on working together for the interests of the family, I strive to give my clients the tools they need for a successful future.

I have a strong reputation of giving back to the New Hampshire community that I grew up in and support my team to do the same. I genuinely care about my team, clients and community and look forward to continuing to grow my practice in the Nashua area.

I attended Franklin Pierce University (formerly known as Franklin Pierce College) and received a Bachelor of Art in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. I received my degree of Juris Doctor from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law (formerly known as Franklin Pierce Law Center). I am currently attending the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals Leadership Academy.

Joseph M. Annutto

Family Lawyer

Legal Fields:

  • Divorce law
  • Family law – custody, parenting plans, child support enforcement, paternity
  • Bankruptcy law
  • Criminal Defense law
  • Personal Injury law
  • Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Joseph M. Annutto is a graduate of UNH School of Law.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from Southern NH University.

He holds a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, from Syracuse University. He was an Adjunct Faculty member of Southern New Hampshire University where he taught courses in Business, Banking and Business Law.

Attorney Annutto is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association and is licensed to practice in both New Hampshire state and federal courts, as well as Massachusetts state and federal courts.

Cindy Clark

Family Lawyer

Cindy Clark graduated cum laude from Plymouth State College. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, now known as the University of New Hampshire – School of Law, in 1980. Prior to law school, from 1975 to 1976, Cindy was elected to the NH House of Representatives and served on the House Judiciary Committee. Governor Hugh Gallen appointed her Commissioner to his Commission on Children and Youth. While serving as a member of the NH House of Representatives, Cindy was the sole sponsor for legislation that fathers be given equal rights in contested custody cases, which at that time was a very controversial issue. Cindy was also a member of the Grafton County Delegation, a licensed NH real estate saleswoman, a member of the Board of Directors for the Lakes Region-Twin Rivers Coordination Council, a member of the NH Woman’s Correctional Facility Study Committee, a member of the Executive Committee for the NH Women’s Political Caucus, a volunteer for the NH Probation Department, a Legislative Chairman for the NH Task Force on Child Abuse, a member of the Advisory Board for the Youth Development Center, Regionalization Program, and a Chairwoman for the Women’s Auxiliary, Plymouth Area Little League. Cindy has also lobbied for the New Hampshire Probate Judges, the New Hampshire Dental Society, Rockingham Park, and Yankee Greyhound Park before the New Hampshire Legislator. 

Cindy is licensed to appear before all New Hampshire State Courts and the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. Cindy is a current member of the NH Bar Association, the Family Law section of the NH Bar Association, the Manchester Bar Association, the Collaborative Law Alliance of New Hampshire and the NH Conflict Resolution Association. Attorney Clark is experiences in litigation for family law issues including divorce, child custody/parenting, child support, Father’s Rights, guardianship over minors, Grandparent’s Rights, NH DCYF abuse/neglect cases, termination of parental rights, and domestic violence issues. Attorney Clark has also been trained as a Collaborative Law and a marital mediator as alternatives to litigation.

John J. Tenn

Family Lawyer

John J. Tenn is a founding member and senior trial lawyer of Tenn And Tenn, P.A. John’s practice areas include personal injury, medical malpractice, auto and motorcycle accidents, criminal defense, and DWI/DUI matters in New Hampshire.

John is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a prestigious honor only held for those who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. John has been designated in Super Lawyers as an outstanding top-rated attorney in his field through superior client and peer ratings.

  • John is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He also is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court.

    John is an active member of the American Bar Association, and the New Hampshire and Manchester Bar Associations.

    John received his J.D. from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in 1992. He graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

    John also serves as a judge for the Harvard Law School First-year Moot Court Program.

Andrew S. Winters

Family Lawyer

With over 21 years legal experience, Andrew Winters, co-founded Cohen & Winters in 2009. As one of the key strategic partners, he has helped the firm grow considerably.

After graduating from Duke University School of Law, Andrew spent more than six years honing his skills at the public defender’s office. Since entering private practice in 2006 Andrew has frequently appeared in court litigating different types of cases, particularly in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury and divorce cases. He has achieved victories before judges, juries, and the New Hampshire Supreme Court. In recent years Andrew has pivoted to become the firm’s point person for estate planning, drafts will, trusts, power of attorney, and related documents for firm clients.

A native of the Washington D.C. area, Andrew has called New Hampshire home for more than twenty years. His current community involvement include seats on the Concord Zoning Board, and the New Hampshire Bar Association Finance Committee. He lives in Concord with his wife and two school-age daughters.

New Hampshire’s Family Law Labyrinth: Why You Need a Top Lawyer on Your Side 

Facing a family law challenge in New Hampshire? Don’t navigate it alone. Here’s how a New Hampshire family law champion empowers you:

  • Unmatched Expertise in NH Family Law: The intricacies of New Hampshire family law are their specialty. Statutes, regulations, case law – they know it all. This translates to accurate legal advice tailored to your situation and effective navigation of your case. 

  • Objective Guidance Through Emotional Turmoil: Family law matters can be emotionally charged. Top New Hampshire family lawyers offer objective advice and guidance. They help you navigate difficult decisions, ensuring informed choices based on your best interests and legal requirements. 

  • Negotiation & Mediation: Masters of Compromise: Resolving family law issues often involves negotiation and mediation. Top New Hampshire family lawyers boast strong negotiation skills, fiercely advocating for your interests during settlements. Their goal? Fair agreements on child custody, visitation, property division, and support, minimizing conflict and promoting positive outcomes. 

  • Courtroom Ready: Your Fierce Advocate: If resolution can’t be reached outside court, the best New Hampshire family lawyers are skilled litigators. They gather evidence, prepare legal arguments, and advocate for your rights and interests before the judge. A competent lawyer ensures your case is presented professionally and persuasively. 

  • Protecting Your Rights & Interests: Family law matters have significant personal and financial consequences. Whether it’s divorce, child custody, adoption, or any other family-related issue, the best New Hampshire family lawyers fight to protect your rights and interests. They strive for outcomes favorable to you and your family, ensuring legal rights are upheld and a fair resolution is achieved. 

  • Local Knowledge is Power: Family law varies by state. Hiring a local New Hampshire family lawyer ensures familiarity with the specific laws and procedures. They understand the local court system, judges, and legal community, allowing for efficient and effective case navigation. 

Remember, the “best” lawyer depends on your specific circumstances. Consider their reputation, experience, communication style, and compatibility with your needs.

Empower Yourself with Knowledge: Explore New Hampshire family law resources at the New Hampshire Bar Association website (New Hampshire Bar Association).

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