Cohen Kinne Valicenti Cook LLP Welcomes Partner

11:33AM / Wednesday, April 01, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cohen Kinne Valicenti Cook LLP announced that Jaan Rannik has joined the firm as a partner, effective January 1, 2026.

Rannik is an experienced civil and commercial litigator who handles a range of disputes, including contractual matters, business torts, real estate disputes, intellectual property issues, and construction litigation. He has obtained more than $20 million in judgments and awards for his clients.

Prior to joining Cohen Kinne, Rannik practiced in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was a partner in the boutique commercial litigation firm Epting & Rannik. Over the past decade, he has successfully tried cases in state and federal courts in South Carolina and handled arbitrations and appeals across the country.

"We feel incredibly fortunate to welcome Jaan to the firm," said Kevin Kinne, partner at Cohen Kinne. "Not only because Jaan is an outstanding attorney, but also because he is a wonderful person who will fit in well with our firm culture and in the community. We are pleased our clients will have the opportunity to work with another first-class litigator and trial attorney."

Rannik brings with him an established client base and will also support Cohen Kinne existing clients in complex litigation and trial matters.

Before pursuing a legal career, Rannik was a performing classical guitarist. He met his wife, Lydia Chernicoff, while attending music conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland. Lydia grew up in the Berkshires, and the couple has long hoped to make the region their home.

"It's a dream to be living and working in the Berkshires. I'm thrilled to have joined such an outstanding group at Cohen Kinne, who are great human beings in addition to being great professionals, and look forward to our work together to serve our clients."

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires.com
11:59AM / Sunday, August 02, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back more than 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted, 4-2, to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

“I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference,” committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

“The city could have used for that difference over the next three years.”

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has vocally supported the independent audit for years, said the city doesn’t have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, “We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional and are looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is.”

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have comparable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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