Attorney Breen will continue to focus her practice in the areas of family law and bankruptcy.
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.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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