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Peter and Mary Ellen Breen, Shannon Roberts, Mayor Richard Alcombright, Jennifer Breen Kirsch, Daniel Kirsch and Michele Alcombright at the ribbon cutting to open Breen Kirsch's new law office.

North Adams Attorney Offers Mediation Services

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Local attorney Jennifer Breen Kirsch has opened a new office on the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art campus and announced a new focus to her services.

Kirsch is expanding her firm to include divorce mediation services in an effort to help entire families successfully meet the complicated challenges that often accompany divorce.

"The reason I'm entering mediation practice is to save people the pain and anguish of litigation, and to preserve the integrity of co-parenting," she said in announcing the new service.

In addition to divorce mediation, Kirsch also practices criminal law, family law, Juvenile Court proceedings and CHINS cases. She also handles real estate, probate, and care and protection matters. She was admitted to the bar in 2004.

Kirsch opened her new office on the second floor of Building 13 with a reception and ribbon cutting on Thursday afternoon with the help of friend Mayor Richard Alcombright.

"I truly appreciate the mayor's support in my new endeavor. This is not just a change of address, but a big change in my practice," she said. On Thursday, she also thanked her family and friends for their support, particularly her husband Daniel Kirsch.

Alcombright said Kirsch is an example that opportunities exist in the city.

"We hear a lot that there are no opportunities for young people, that they don't come back because they can't come back," he said on Thursday. "And Jen is kind of living walking proof of someone I would suggest clawed her way back here ... in the nicest way ... in the sense of her working her way through the district attroney's office and working as a defense attorney ... and working so hard to establish an office.

"I'm really proud of you and welcome to North Adams."

Kirsch earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology and political science from Union College, her law degree from Northeastern University, and is certified in divorce mediation. She served as a prosecutor in the Middlesex County district attorney's office from 2004 to 2006, before returning to her hometown of North Adams to enter private practice.

"Mass MoCA is a beautiful location and the campus is striking in architecture and tradition,” Kirsch said of her new office location. "I grew up with a father who worked for Sprague Electric, and now appreciate what this space has become, given the changing times. I'm looking forward to expanding my practice in such a professional and unique space."

Kirsch is chairman of the North Adams Housing Authority and serves on the Berkshire Commission on the Status of Women. For more information, contact Kirsch at 413-441-5905.



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North Adams Clothing Store Moving to Larger Space

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Label Shopper is moving across the parking lot to the former Peebles location in April.
 
The discount clothing store has been located in the downtown's L-shaped mall downtown since 2009. It replaced Fashion Bug, which had been in that spot for 24 years before closing in 2007; the company liquidated in 2013. 
 
Label Shopper is part of Peter Harris Clothes, established in 1970 by Peter Elitzer. Starting as a single store in Latham, N.Y., offering brand-name apparel at discount prices, the company operates more than 70 stores throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
 
The store is set to close on April 6 for the move and reopen on April 9 in the former Gordmans, according to signage. 
 
Gordmans briefly replaced Peebles in the former Kmart until the parent company of the two brands declared bankruptcy and closed its stores in 2020. 
 
At 17,250 square feet, the Gordman's space is at least double the size of Label Shopper's current location.
 
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