SPRINGFIELD — As more of life moves online, attorneys are seeing a growing number of families struggle to access loved ones’ digital accounts after a death or medical emergency. Research shows the average person now has dozens of online accounts, yet many people have no plan for how family members can access critical financial records, passwords, cloud storage, or digital assets when needed.

Estate planning attorneys at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin P.C. are encouraging families to think beyond traditional assets and include digital accounts and online property as part of a comprehensive estate plan. Attorneys at the firm assist individuals, families, and business owners with strategies designed to protect both traditional and digital assets.

From online banking and cryptocurrency accounts to cloud photo storage, subscription services, and social media profiles, many people leave behind important digital assets with no instructions for how loved ones can access or manage them.

“People often focus on physical and financial assets while overlooking the fact that much of their personal and financial life now exists online,” said attorney Michael Deere, an associate at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin. “Without proper planning, families may struggle to access important records, financial accounts, and even irreplaceable memories.”

Attorneys say the issue is becoming increasingly common as more financial, personal, and business activity moves to digital platforms. Even routine matters such as managing automatic payments or accessing insurance and utility accounts can become difficult without clear authorization.

Attorneys at the firm recommend individuals maintain an inventory of important digital accounts, securely document password access information, include digital financial assets in estate planning documents, grant legal authority for fiduciaries to manage digital property, and regularly update estate plans as accounts and technology change.

“Families are often unprepared for how complicated digital access can become after a loss,” Deere said. “Advance planning can help reduce confusion, delays, and unnecessary stress during an already difficult time.”

Michael Fenton

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, announced that Shareholder Michael Fenton has been named a 2025 Go To Lawyer in the field of commercial real estate by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

The annual list recognizes fewer than 40 top-tier attorneys who demonstrate excellence in their practice area and are regarded as leaders by their peers. Fenton is the only lawyer from Western Mass. to be selected for this prestigious list.

Fenton, who has practiced law for more than a decade, was recognized for his extensive work in commercial real estate and finance, including tax-exempt bond financing and business planning. His passion for the field began early in his career.

“From the beginning, I was drawn to the unique challenges and opportunities that come with commercial real estate law,” he said. “Whether it’s navigating zoning issues, resolving title complexities, facilitating financing packages, or supporting a major development project, I take pride in finding creative and effective solutions that help my clients move forward.”

Fenton’s legal practice is marked by a deep understanding of title work, financing, permitting, and development — skills that make him an invaluable resource for both clients and colleagues. In addition to his legal work, he has served as a member of the Springfield City Council for more than 16 years. He currently serves as an adjunct professor of Corporate Finance at Western New England University School of Law and is actively involved in civic and nonprofit organizations, including the Conservation Law Foundation’s Legal Services Food Hub.

“True leadership in law is about more than just legal knowledge; it’s about respect, humility, and collaboration,” Fenton said. “I’m honored by this recognition and grateful to work alongside so many dedicated professionals at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin.”

Karolina Weagle

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, announced that attorney Karolina Weagle has been selected to the 2025 Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in the area of estate planning and estate administration. This is the third consecutive year she has received this designation.

Weagle concentrates her practice on estate planning, estate administration, and commercial real estate, providing client-centered guidance and emerging leadership in these fields. She has quickly established a reputation for thoughtful counsel and dedication to her clients’ needs.

She is a cum laude graduate of New England Law | Boston. Prior to joining Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin in 2022, she practiced at a Boston firm representing clients in litigation and criminal defense matters. Upon returning to Western Mass., she began practicing in the areas of real estate, estate planning, and estate administration. She is fluent in Polish, allowing her to serve a diverse client base throughout Western Mass.

Rising Stars recognizes exceptional attorneys who have demonstrated strong professional achievement and peer recognition early in their careers; candidates must be 40 or younger or in practice for no more than 10 years. The Rising Stars list is compiled using the same multi-phase selection process as Super Lawyers, including statewide attorney surveys, independent research, and peer evaluations. Only 2.5% of attorneys in each state receive this honor.

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, announced that nine of its attorneys have been recognized for excellence in the 2025 Super Lawyers lists, including six named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list and three selected for the Massachusetts Rising Stars list.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. A Thomson Reuters business, Super Lawyers uses a patented, multi-phase process that includes peer nominations and evaluations as well as independent research.

• Shareholder Michele Feinstein was named to the 2025 Super Lawyers list for the 19th time in the field of estate and probate. Her practice includes estate planning and administration, elder law, special needs planning, and related litigation. A longtime leader in her field, she has devoted her career to guiding clients through complex and sensitive matters involving estates, trusts, and long-term care.

• Shareholder Gary Fentin was selected for the 20th year in the field of government finance. His practice focuses on commercial and real estate finance and development, industrial revenue bonds, affordable housing, business law, and business foreclosures and workouts. He also oversees the firm’s tax-exempt bond practice and has served as bond and/or purchaser’s counsel for more than 40 years.

• Shareholder Carol Cioe Klyman was listed for the 21st time by Super Lawyers in the field of elder law. She concentrates her practice in elder law, estate planning, special needs planning, estate administration, guardianships, trust and estate litigation, and MassHealth appeals. She also plays an active role mentoring and educating attorneys statewide in long-term care and special needs planning.

• Managing Partner Timothy Mulhern was named to the Super Lawyers list for the 18th year in the field of tax law. With more than 45 years of experience, his practice includes family business planning, real estate, taxation, corporate law, commercial real estate, and estate planning. He is licensed to practice in both Massachusetts and New York.

• Shareholder James Sheils was selected for the 11th consecutive year in the field of banking law. His practice includes commercial finance, creditors’ rights, banking law, and telecommunications siting matters.

• Shareholder Steven Weiss was recognized for the 19th time in the field of business bankruptcy law. He concentrates his practice in commercial and consumer bankruptcy, reorganization, and litigation, and supervises the firm’s bankruptcy, reorganization, and workout practice. A longtime member of the private panel of Chapter 7 trustees, he represents creditors, debtors, and related parties in bankruptcy matters across Massachusetts.

To be eligible for the Rising Stars list, a candidate must be 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 or fewer years. Only 2.5% of Massachusetts lawyers earn this distinction each year, including the following attorneys from Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin:

• Shareholder Michael Fenton was named to the 2025 Massachusetts Rising Stars list for the 12th consecutive year. He was selected in the field of business and corporate law. His practice includes commercial real estate, business planning, commercial finance, estate planning, zoning, land use, and business succession matters. With legal and MBA training, he counsels clients on sophisticated transactional, tax, and regulatory challenges.

• Associate Stephen Sobey was named to the Rising Stars list for the fifth time in the field of estate and probate. He concentrates his practice on estate planning and administration, as well as elder law, and is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

• Associate Karolina Weagle was selected for the third year in the field of estate planning and estate administration. She focuses her practice on estate planning, estate administration, and commercial real estate.

James Sheils

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a multi-disciplinary law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, announced that attorney James Sheils has been named to the 2025 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list in the category of Banking Law. This marks the 11th time he has earned this prestigious recognition, reserved for the state’s top attorneys.

Sheils concentrates his practice in commercial finance law, banking law, creditors’ rights, and telecommunications siting matters. He is a graduate of Boston College Law School, where he received the John F. Cremens Award for legal services, and he is also a past recipient of Goodwill Industries of the Pioneer Valley’s John Auchter Award.

He has been selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer every year since 2015, demonstrating his consistent leadership and expertise in banking law. He was also recently selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America in the field of Commercial Transactions/Uniform Commercial Code Law.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made through a patented, multi-phase process including a statewide survey of lawyers, independent research, and peer reviews. The resulting list represents a credible, comprehensive, and diverse compilation of the state’s top attorneys.

Michael Deere

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that attorney Michael Deere has joined the firm as an associate. Deere, who officially began on Sept. 8, will support the firm’s work across estate planning, bankruptcy, and probate litigation, with an anticipated long-term focus in trusts and estates.

Deere brings a distinctive professional background shaped by nearly 20 years in academia. Prior to entering the legal field, he served as an associate professor of philosophy at Salem State University, where he spent 18 years teaching, researching, and directing curriculum, including 10 years as director of Bioethics Programming and three years as department chair. His scholarship and presentations have been featured nationally and internationally, including invited talks in Italy, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

During his tenure, Deere taught courses in ethics, existentialism, philosophy of art, logic, writing at all levels, and critical reasoning. He later designed and taught courses in legal reasoning, legal writing, and analytical thinking, experience he now applies directly in his legal practice.

“Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin has an exceptional reputation for developing young attorneys,” Deere said. “I interned with the firm during my second year of law school and immediately connected with the work, the people, and the collaborative environment. It was an excellent match, and I’m excited to continue building my career here.”

A non-traditional law student, Deere attended Boston College Law School, where he earned his juris doctorate in 2025. He was a contributor to the law school’s “Impact” blog and continued to teach full-time during his legal studies. He previously earned a PhD in philosophy from Penn State University, funded by the prestigious Jacob Javits Fellowship, and holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.

SPRINGFIELD — Attorneys Michele Feinstein and Carol Cioe Klyman, shareholders at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., have co-authored the third edition of Massachusetts Elder Law, a definitive guide to the complexities of elder law in the Commonwealth. Published by LexisNexis, the book is an essential resource for attorneys, financial professionals, and policymakers dedicated to protecting older adults and their families.

The newly released treatise provides practical, in-depth coverage of financial and medical planning, MassHealth eligibility, guardianships and conservatorships, and asset protection strategies. It offers expert commentary, forms, and step-by-step guidance for those practicing in this rapidly evolving field.

Feinstein concentrates her practice in estate planning and administration, elder law, probate litigation, health law, and business succession planning, including representation of closely held businesses and physicians. A cum laude graduate of Western New England University School of Law and a summa cum laude graduate of Boston University, she also earned an LL.M. degree in taxation from Boston University.

Feinstein has been named to Best Lawyers in America from 2013 to 2026, including Lawyer of the Year for trusts and estates in 2023 and 2025, as well as repeatedly named to Massachusetts Super Lawyers for estate planning, elder law, estate administration, and estate litigation. She serves as a senior adjunct professor of Law at Western New England University School of Law, teaching in the LL.M. program for estate planning and elder law, and holds the accredited estate planner designation from the National Assoc. of Estate Planners and Councils.

Klyman focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, long-term care planning, and special needs planning, helping individuals and families plan their affairs, minimize taxes, protect their loved ones, and navigate the complexities of long-term care and public benefits. A magna cum laude graduate of Western New England University School of Law and a former journalist, she has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America every year since 2007 and named Lawyer of the Year in elder law and trusts and estates for 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2026.

Klyman is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the American Bar Foundation, serves on the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Probate Law Section Council and MassNAELA amicus committee, and is editor emerita of the NAELA Journal. Since 1996, she has also authored chapters on tax-related topics for Elder and Disability Law in Massachusetts, published by MCLE New England.

Massachusetts Elder Law addresses vital issues, including planning for incapacity, end-of-life decision making, housing and care alternatives, and asset preservation. The publication is available through LexisNexis by clicking here.

Josh Levine

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a multi-disciplinary law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, announced the addition of Josh Levine as of counsel, bringing extensive experience in commercial real estate, land use, and business licensing to the firm’s growing practice.

Levine joins Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin after a distinguished career spanning more than 17 years. His experience includes serving as product liability defense counsel at a boutique litigation firm in Washington, D.C., trial counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division, and partner at Levine Law, where he focused on commercial transactions and land use.

In his role at Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin, Levine assists clients with all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, secured financing, land use and zoning, business licensing, and purchases and sales. He represents clients extensively before local boards throughout Western Mass. and across the state for liquor licensing matters.

Levine has been actively involved in his community, serving on the Longmeadow Select Board since 2021, currently as chair, and previously on the Longmeadow Planning Board from 2019 to 2021. He earned his juris doctorate with honors and a bachelor’s degree in English from George Washington University.

“I am thrilled to join a firm with such a strong reputation and collaborative culture,” Levine said. “I look forward to working with the talented team at Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin to help clients navigate complex commercial and land use matters.”

Steven Weiss

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Steven Weiss, a shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a regional law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, is now bringing his legal expertise to a national stage. He has been elected president of the National Assoc. of Bankruptcy Trustees (NABT), the premier organization advocating for and supporting the interests of bankruptcy trustees across the country. Weiss, who has served as NABT’s first vice president, assumed the new role on Oct. 1.

He takes on this position at a key time for the profession. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the number of bankruptcy filings in the U.S. rose 15% over the last year.

“I’m excited and honored,” Weiss said. “It’s a busy time for us in bankruptcy law, and there are not a lot of people who do what we do, so the NABT is really a great resource for the profession as a whole. I have been a chapter 7 trustee for almost four decades, and feel I have the experience to guide the organization over the next year.”

Weiss has been a member of the NABT for more than two decades and is co-chair of its amicus committee, which evaluates requests for friend-of-the-court briefs to be filed in cases for which the bankruptcy profession may have an interest.

He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and consumer bankruptcy, reorganization, and litigation. He supervises the bankruptcy, reorganization, and workout practice at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin. He is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and has been part of the private panel of chapter 7 trustees for the District of Massachusetts for 38 years. He is a graduate of Boston University School of Law.

SPRINGFIELD — Eight attorneys with Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a multi-disciplinary law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, were selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America or Ones to Watch, with two receiving the prestigious Lawyer of the Year designation in their practice areas.

• Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman was named Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for both trusts and estates and elder law. She was also recognized in Best Lawyers in America for her work in these fields, marking the 19th consecutive year she has received Best Lawyers recognition.

• Attorney Steven Weiss was selected for Best Lawyers in America for bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights / insolvency and reorganization law for the 14th consecutive year. He was additionally honored as Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for this practice area.

• Attorney Timothy Mulhern, managing partner, was recognized for his excellence in corporate law and tax law.

• Attorney Michele Feinstein was honored in Best Lawyers in America for elder law, litigation – trusts and estates, and trusts and estates. She was previously named Lawyer of the Year in trusts and estates in 2025 and has been honored annually since 2013.

• Attorney Gary Fentin, founding shareholder, was recognized for banking and finance law and commercial transactions / Uniform Commercial Code law.

• Attorney Steven Schwartz, founding shareholder, was recognized for business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), closely held companies, and corporate law.

• Attorney James Sheils was honored for commercial transactions / Uniform Commercial Code law. A partner with the firm since 1985, Sheils has been recognized by Best Lawyers annually since 2015.

• Attorney Stephen Sobey was recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for trusts and estates.

Recognition in Best Lawyers in America is based entirely on an exhaustive, confidential survey of legal peers; no lawyer can pay for inclusion.

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced it has been ranked in the inaugural Chambers Spotlight Massachusetts Guide, a new ranking from the internationally recognized legal research company Chambers and Partners. The firm was honored for its expertise in corporate/commercial law and trusts and estates law.

Notably, Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin is the only firm in Western Mass. ranked in either category, underscoring its unique position as a leading resource for businesses and individuals seeking sophisticated legal counsel outside of Boston.

The Chambers Spotlight rankings are awarded to select small and mid-sized law firms that demonstrate exceptional skill and results in their practice areas, based on Chambers’ rigorous, independent research. The Massachusetts Spotlight Guide is available at chambers.com.

“This is a prestigious honor, and we are proud to be recognized by Chambers and Partners, an organization respected worldwide for its thorough, research-driven rankings,” said attorney Michael Fenton, a shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin. “As a firm that delivers top-tier legal services while maintaining the personal attention of a boutique practice, this ranking reflects the dedication, expertise, and commitment of our entire team.”

While the Massachusetts firms typically ranked by Chambers are ‘big law’ organizations, the Spotlight Massachusetts Guide highlights a small, select group of high-performing mid-sized firms, giving them visibility to general counsel, attorneys, and business leaders worldwide. Currently, no other Massachusetts firms have been announced in this edition.

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced its inclusion in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s first-ever “In the Lead: Legacy Law Firms” list, honoring firms that have thrived for 25 years or more while continuing to demonstrate excellence.

Founded in 1969 by former legal services attorneys, the firm has established a strong regional presence with 18 attorneys offering deep experience in business planning, estate planning, commercial and tax-exempt financing, real estate development and permitting, litigation, bankruptcy, and more.

“We’re honored to be recognized among such a respected group of long-standing firms,” attorney Michael Fenton said. “This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to client service, legal innovation, and community engagement, values that have guided us for more than five decades.”

Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin represents individuals, family enterprises, nonprofits, and multi-national businesses throughout Western New England and Eastern New York. Known for its practical, cost-effective approach, the firm frequently employs advanced legal strategies, such as grantor-retained annuity trusts and ESOP buyouts, to help clients achieve their long-term goals.

A hallmark of the firm has been its work in government-assisted housing programs, not-for-profit law, and other complex regulatory matters, along with a commitment to serving underserved communities. Each attorney actively contributes to charitable and economic development initiatives, reflecting the firm’s deep-rooted connection to the region it serves.

“This list highlights firms that have stood the test of time,” Fenton said. “We’re proud to be counted among them, and we look forward to continuing to serve our clients and communities with the same dedication that got us here.”

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced the addition of attorney Brett Smith to its team of lawyers.

Smith concentrates his practice on commercial finance and real estate, business organizations and planning, and land-use regulation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Bentley University in 2019 and his juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law in 2023. He previously served as a legal intern at New Mexico Local Government Law LLC in Albuquerque.

In 2022, Smith received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in corporate finance law. He co-founded and served as treasurer of the Sports and Entertainment Law Assoc. at Western New England University School of Law.

“Brett joined us as a law clerk in 2022, and now that he has passed the bar, we are proud to have him contribute as an associate in our firm,” founding attorney Steven Schwartz said. “As we prepare to mark 55 years since the founding of the firm, we’re excited by the bright, young talent, including Brett, coming on board to grow with us.”

SPRINGFIELD — Regional law firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that attorney Karolina Weagle was accepted into the 2023 Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Leadership Academy.

“We are grateful to the Massachusetts Bar Association for continuing its commitment to cultivating leaders who work toward the improvement of our profession and our society,” founding attorney Steven Schwartz said. “Attorney Weagle exemplifies the bright young talent here at the firm, and we’re proud to have her leading the new generation of attorneys who will guide us into our next 50 years of service to the Western Massachusetts area.”

Believing exceptional leaders are essential to the improvement of the legal profession and understanding there are few leadership training opportunities for young attorneys, the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. developed its Leadership Academy to better prepare young attorneys to assume leadership roles at the bar, both in their firms or organizations and in government.

Weagle concentrates her practice in estate planning. Prior to joining Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin in 2022, she worked at a Boston firm representing clients in litigation and criminal-defense matters, and later returned to Western Mass., where she practiced in the areas of real estate, estate planning, and estate administration.

Weagle graduated summa cum laude from Westfield State University in 2015 with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and political science. Soon after, she enrolled at New England Law Boston, where she graduated cum laude in 2018. While in law school, she made the dean’s list every semester, was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Property II in the spring of 2016, and earned the New England Scholar Award for 2015-16. She is also fluent in Polish.

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that Shareholder Michael Fenton has been named a Go To Lawyer in the area of Commercial Real Estate Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

Fenton joined the firm in 2012 and focuses his practice in the areas of commercial real estate, business planning, commercial finance, and estate planning. He represents principals in business formation and succession planning, businesses in the purchase and sale of enterprises, lenders and borrowers in commercial financing transactions, developers in the acquisition and permitting of projects, and individuals in establishing comprehensive and sophisticated estate plans.

With a background in taxes and a master’s degree in business administration, Fenton provides added value to clients with business-planning concerns. In addition, he has extensive land-use experience that includes zoning, subdivision, project permitting and environmental matters. A significant part of his practice revolves around estate planning, and he develops sophisticated estate plans to facilitate access to public services and the preservation of assets.

Debuted by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in 2020, Massachusetts Go To Lawyers showcases leaders in the Massachusetts legal community by practice area. A Go To Lawyer is a standout is his or her field with a long history of success. Go to Lawyers are nominated by their colleagues and selected by a panel from the publication.

Fenton is a graduate of Western New England University (WNE) School of Law, where he was a publishing editor of the Law Review and an Oliver Wendell Holmes full-tuition merit scholar. He is an adjunct professor for Corporate Finance at WNE School of Law, where he is also a board member of the Center for Social Justice. He serves on the Baystate Medical Center Community Advisory Council and has served as a member of the Springfield City Council since 2010.

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced Attorney Mark Esposito as a new shareholder in the firm.

“Attorney Esposito has been an incredible asset to our team for the past four years,” founding Partner Steven Schwartz said. “He is knowledgeable, ethical, and very community-focused. Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin continues to develop and grow, and we look forward to seeing how Mark can assist in that future success.”

Esposito joined the firm in 2017 and has a wide-ranging, litigation-focused practice. He represents clients in general, commercial and probate litigation, labor and employment matters, administrative law, and criminal cases. He has counseled various public-sector labor unions and employees in collective bargaining, arbitration, and litigation, and represents clients in state and federal courts as well as before administrative agencies.

A summa cum laude graduate of Boston University School of Law, Esposito was a member and note editor of the Boston University Law Review. Prior to law school, he graduated magna cum laude from Williams College, where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa society.

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that seven of its attorneys were listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2022, and two were also named a Lawyer of the Year. The seven attorneys are:

• Shareholder Michele Feinstein, recognized in the fields of litigation – trusts and estates, elder law, and trusts and estates;

• Shareholder Gary Fentin, banking and finance law and commercial transactions/Uniform Commercial Code law;

• Shareholder Carol Cioe Klyman, elder law and trusts and estates. This year, she was also named a Lawyer of the Year in the field of trusts and estates;

• Managing Partner Timothy Mulhern, corporate law and tax law;

• Shareholder Steven Schwartz, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), closely held companies and family business law, as well as corporate law. This year, he was also named a Lawyer of the Year in the field of business organizations.

• Shareholder James Sheils, commercial transactions/Uniform Commercial Code law; and

• Shareholder Steven Weiss, bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law.

Best Lawyers listings are published in dozens of countries around the world. The 2022 edition includes more than 67,000 attorneys in 148 practice areas, covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and inclusion in this year’s publication is based on more than 9.4 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. has added the Northampton law firm Etheredge & Steuer to its regional law practice. Attorneys Edward Etheredge and Shelley Steuer bring a wealth of talent, knowledge, and expertise to Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin’s business, real estate, land-use planning, permitting, estate planning, and estate administration practice areas. Both firms have deep roots in Western Mass. and similar approaches to providing service to clients.

Etheredge, whose practice is principally in real estate, land use, planning, and development, began practicing law in Northampton in 1976. He is admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Notably, he was the first assistant district attorney for Hampshire and Franklin counties and has served as an expert witness and mediator in zoning and contract cases in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, in addition to trying cases in U.S. District Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, the Land Court, and the Superior and Probate Courts in Western Mass.

Etheredge has served as a trustee of Frank Newell Look Park for nearly 40 years and served for many years as a director of Greenfield Cooperative Bank and a trustee of Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He enjoys an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell.

Steuer, whose practice focuses on estate planning and estate and trust administration, has practiced in Northampton since 1990. She is a member of the Pioneer Valley Estate Planning Council, the Hampshire County Bar Assoc., and the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, New York, and California, as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She previously served as an attorney advisor for the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. and an assistant regional attorney for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Steuer has served on the board of directors of Hospice of Hampshire County, the VNA and Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Health Care Corp., and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. She has been selected as a Super Lawyer in estate planning and probate since 2018.

Steuer and Etheredge are looking forward to having members of the Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin team join them and their staff in their office space at 64 Gothic St., Northampton. The firm will continue to provide services to clients at 1441 Main St., Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. hired former law clerk Patrick Huse to fill the role of associate attorney following his admission to the Massachusetts bar.

Huse is a 2020 graduate of Suffolk University Law School. While pursuing his graduate studies, he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, the Business Law Assoc., and the Suffolk Prosecutors Clinic. His career-focused extracurricular activities, coupled with his time interning at the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office, have prepared him for a career rooted in the law.

Huse assists clients in the areas of business transactions, real-estate transactions, and bankruptcy matters.

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that attorney Mark Esposito has taken on an expanded role within the firm, now serving of counsel.

Esposito joined the firm in 2017 and has a wide-ranging, litigation-focused practice. He represents clients in general, commercial, and probate litigation; labor and employment matters; administrative law; and criminal cases.

After graduating magna cum laude from Williams College, Esposito graduated summa cum laude from Boston University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the U.S. District Court, the District of Massachusetts, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit.

SPRINGFIELD — Mark Esposito, an attorney at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., will speak at the 21st Annual Estate Planning Conference of Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Inc. (MCLE) on Tuesday, June 30. He will contribute to an expert panel discussion titled “What’s Up in the World of Fiduciary Litigation?” at the 2020 conference, which will take place as a live webcast from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The recorded webcast will be shown during that timeframe on Tuesday, July 14.

Esposito joined Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin in 2017 and concentrates his practice in general litigation, with particular emphasis on commercial, trust and estate, and employment and labor litigation. He has counseled various public-sector labor unions and employees in collective bargaining, negotiations, arbitration, and litigation, representing clients in state and federal court as well as before administrative agencies.

A summa cum laude graduate of Boston University School of Law (2008) and magna cum laude graduate of Williams College (2005), sposito was named to the 2018 Massachusetts Rising Stars in the field of general litigation. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and its Massachusetts chapter.