Partridge Snow & Hahn is pleased to announce that the firm has elected commercial litigation lawyer Howard Merten as its new Managing Partner. Merten replaces David Gilden who has served in the role since April 1, 2000, and announced his intention to step down this past October. Gilden, a commercial real estate and business lawyer, has maintained his practice throughout his 17-year term as Managing Partner, and will continue to practice as a partner in the firm. Merten has served on the firm’s Executive Committee for 11 years.
“Partridge Snow & Hahn had a strong financial year in 2016 and we will build on that success,” began Merten. “We owe great thanks to David for the stellar work he has done as Managing Partner of the firm. He brought a lot of energy to the position, and we will continue to move forward with the help and support of a supremely talented and committed group of partners, associates and staff. Partridge Snow & Hahn’s tradition of serving our clients and communities to the best of our collective abilities will remain constant.”
Earlier this year, the partnership elected Melissa E. Darigan to fill Merten’s position on the firm’s three person Executive Committee. Darigan, a former President of the Rhode Island Bar Association, will step down as Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department to join Merten and Richard Nadeau on the Committee. Paul Kessimian, who previously served as Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group with Darigan, now serves as the sole Chair of that practice.
Nadeau was also recently re-elected by the partnership to serve another three-year term on the Committee. Jay R. Peabody has been named Chair of the firm’s Real Estate practice, a position formerly held by Nadeau.
Finally, the firm is pleased to also announce that Colin A. Coleman has agreed to join James H. Hahn to serve as Co-Chair of the firm’s Business Law Practice. Coleman recently joined the firm after many years heading up the Innovative Business Law Group in Massachusetts and is resident in the firm’s Boston office.
“The legal services market is constantly evolving,” explained David Gilden. “I am confident that this experienced and talented group of leaders is the right team for the firm’s future, and excited to see what they will do to continue to advance Partridge Snow & Hahn’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and client service. I am also excited to dive back in to the full time service of my clients and doing the work that I love.”
