NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP announced the addition of three new attorneys: Jennifer M. Breen; Kyle G. Christensen; and Mark Leonhard.

 

Attorney Breen comes to the firm after 13 years as a solo practitioner. 

 

She earned a B.A. in Political Science and B.S. Psychology from Utica College in 2001 and her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston in 2004. After her admission to the Massachusetts Bar in 2004, Attorney Breen joined the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office in Cambridge. 

 

In 2007, she decided to return to her hometown of North Adams opening Breen Law Office & Mediation, where she focused on family law and bankruptcy. Attorney Breen served as a City Councilor in North Adams from 2011- 2015 and continues to volunteer for various organizations and task forces, including the Berkshire County Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force and the Pro Bono for the Child Program. 

 

She has been recognized for her achievement, most recently in 2018 as one of Berkshire County's "40 under 40" award. 

 

"Attorney Breen is dedicated to her clients and her community and consistently works to help clients through some of the most challenging times in their lives. She is a great addition to Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP" said partner Brigid M. Hennessey. 

 

Attorney Breen will continue to focus her practice in the areas of family law and bankruptcy. She makes her home in North Adams with her fiancé, David Witherell and has three children. Attorney Breen is also admitted to practice in New York and in the Massachusetts Federal Courts.

 

Attorney Kyle G. Christensen joins the firm from the Berkshire County District Attorney's

Office.

 

Attorney Christensen grew up in Florida and earned a B.A. in philosophy and a B.A. in religious studies from The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio in 2009. While an undergraduate, Attorney Christensen earned a certificate in Thai Studies at the Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He then went on to earn a Master of Arts in Philosophy at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. before attending law school at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston. While in law school, Attorney Christensen worked in the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. 

 

After his admission to the Massachusetts Bar in 2014, Attorney Christensen joined the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office, where he prosecuted cases in both the Massachusetts District and Superior Courts. During his time with the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, Attorney Christensen successfully prosecuted a number of felony cases in the Berkshire Superior Court including complex cases involving child pornography, financial crimes, drug trafficking, and motor vehicle homicides. 

 

"Attorney Christensen has earned a strong reputation as a prepared skilled trial advocate and comes to the firm with extensive jury trial experience. The firm is lucky to bring him aboard," said partner Greg P. Howard. 

 

Attorney Christensen will focus his practice on civil litigation. He makes his home in Pittsfield.

 

Attorney Mark W. Leonhard graduated from Boston College Law School 2020 and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in January 2021. Prior to attending law school, he earned a B.A. in Political Studies from Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. He originally hales from Bedminster, N.J. While in law school, Attorney Leonhard was a summer law clerk at K.P. Law, P.C. and interned with the United States Department of Labor and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in the Labor Relations Division. His prior work focused on litigation. Attorney Leonhard has a passion for baseball and played shortstop and third base on the Bard College baseball team.

 

He has volunteered  with the Special Olympics.

 

"The Berkshires is a wonderful place to practice law and we are pleased Attorney Leonhard saw the opportunities available here. His educational background and work while in law school is impressive and we anticipate he will have a long career with Donovan O'Connor & Dodig," said partner Chris S. Dodig.