Partridge Snow & Hahn is pleased to announce that Paul Kessimian and Jay Peabody have been elected to serve as PSH’s new Co-Managing Partners. Kessimian and Peabody replace Howard Merten, who has served in the role since April 1, 2017.
Paul and Jay reflected on their first day in the co-managing role: “We are proud, honored, humbled, and energized to be able to lead such a great group of people. We are also grateful and appreciative that the firm is willing to change things up a bit and give us the opportunity to lead the firm forward. This firm has a history of accomplishment, and we want to honor and grow that.”
They go on to add, “We have monster shoes to fill with Howard’s stepping down as Managing Partner, but we will rely on his sage and measured counsel and direction as the third member of the Executive Committee as we settle into our new positions. This firm has been well served by firm-first leaders like Howard and David Gilden, who was the firm’s Managing Partner before Howard. We aim to follow their examples.”
Howard congratulates the pair by stating, “Partridge Snow & Hahn is in great hands with these two passionate, sharp, and energetic attorneys leading us into the future. They compliment a team of seasoned and younger partners and attorneys that together understand that teamwork and committed client service makes PS&H a great place to work. I have already seen tremendous things from these two leaders, and expect much more to come.” Merten has been with PSH since 2005 and will remain on the Executive Committee and continue to be an active trial partner in the firm.
Paul has been with PSH since 2006 and Jay joined in 2008, both initiating their PSH careers as Associates. Paul and Jay quickly rose to Partners and to chair their respective practice groups. Prior to becoming Co-Managing Partners, both Jay and Paul sat on the firm’s Executive Committee. Over the course of their careers at PSH, Paul and Jay have made lasting connections with their colleagues, clients, and community.
Paul attended Columbia University School of Law, J.D., Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Articles Editor, Columbia Business Law Review and Providence College, B.A. Political Science and Economics, summa cum laude. His bar memberships include Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including their U.S. Federal District Courts, and U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit. Paul is President-Elect of Defense Counsel of Rhode Island and Secretary of the R.I. Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and Vice Chair of Providence College’s Liberal Art’s Honors Leadership Council and a member Providence College’s President’s Council.
Jay’s education includes Suffolk University School of Law, J.D. and Fairfield University, B.S., cum laude. His bar memberships include Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Jay is an active member of his local community, where he coaches a number of youth sports and is Vice President of the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Jay also remains active with his alma mater, Tabor Academy, located in Marion, Massachusetts.
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