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Steven B. Wright, left, Marnie A. Sommer and Gregory P. Howard have joined Donovan & O'Connor as associates.

North Adams Law Firm Hires Three Associate Attorneys

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The law firm of Donovan & O'Connor LLP announces that Steven B. Wright, Marnie A. Sommer and Gregory P. Howard have joined the firm as associate attorneys.

Wright, who will be working primarily out of the firm's Bennington, Vt., office, was previously engaged in the practice of law with Ryan, Smith & Carbine Ltd. in Rutland, Vt., focusing on litigation matters. He received his juris doctorate from Vermont Law School in 2003 and his bachelor's degree  in psychology in 1999 from the State University of New York at Oneonta. He plans to reside in Bennington with his wife and two young children.

Sommer, a native of Adams, received her juris doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 2009 and graduated cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany in 2004, earning a bachelor's in psychology and criminal justice. She was an associate with the Boston law firm of Rosenfeld, Rafik & Sullivan PC, where she focused her practice on health and disability law. She will be working primarily out of the firm's North Adams and Pittsfield offices.

Howard received his juris doctorate from Boston College Law School in May 2011 and graduated cum laude in 2008 from the University of Rochester, where he received a bachelor's in political science with minors in history and legal studies. A native of Bennington, Howard has recently returned to his hometown and will be working out of the firm's North Adams office.

Donovan & O'Connor is the region's oldest and largest law firm and is engaged in the general practice of law with an emphasis on business and commercial representation, trust and estate planning, divorce and family law, and serious personal injury representation including Social Security claims and workers' compensation.
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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 
 
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
 
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
 
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
 
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
 
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
 
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
 
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