James F. Merrill
Associate

Biography

Jim Merrill is the Managing Director of Devine Strategies, the strategic consulting subsidiary of Devine Millimet. As an attorney and strategic advisor, Jim has been recognized as a leader in New Hampshire. His multi-faceted background in both the public and private sectors enable him to provide unique business solutions through a political prism for clients as diverse as colleges, utilities, entrepreneurs, trade associations, and manufacturers.

Over the past 15 years, Jim has developed a well-earned reputation as a rising star in New Hampshire politics, both as an attorney and as an advisor. In 2000, after having spent two years on the staff of one of the most popular governors in New Hampshire history, Jim directed the successful general election campaign of President George W. Bush. In 2004, Jim served as New Hampshire Grassroots Co-Chairman for President Bush's re-election campaign. Most recently, Jim served as State Director for Governor Mitt Romney during New Hampshire's First-in-the-Nation Primary, charged with developing and managing the day-to-day strategy, media, grassroots, fundraising, and administrative elements of the Romney Presidential campaign in New Hampshire. Jim was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2004 and 2008, and in 2008 also served as a member of the RNC Platform Committee, representing New Hampshire. Jim is often sought out by the media to provide comment and context to current political events as they unfold.

Jim has also been an attorney with Devine Millimet since 2001, focusing on real estate, business, non-profit, campaign and election law. His practice included all aspects of real estate work, including leasing, permitting, and representing developers and other individuals and entities before the planning and zoning boards in communities throughout the state. Jim also counsels various political organizations, having served as legal counsel to the New Hampshire State Republican Committee for four years, as well as legal counsel to the Benson for Governor campaign in 2002, the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004, and the McCain-Palin campaign in 2008.

Jim is active in the community, currently serving on the Board of Directors of Easter Seals New Hampshire as Chairman of the Easter Seals NHY 2009 VIP fundraising campaign and as chairman of the NH Political Library annual Primary Awards Dinner. Jim's service in the public and private sectors has been recognized by New Hampshire industry and news media, being honored in 2004 as one of New Hampshire’s "40 Under Forty" by the Union Leader and in 2009 as one of New Hampshire’s "25 Leaders for the Future" by Business NH magazine.

EDUCATION:

Franklin Pierce Law Center, Juris Doctor, 2001
Gettysburg College, Bachelor of Arts, 1994

Representative Matters

• Corporate counsel to political organizations
• Negotiation of non-compete agreement with publicly traded company
• Transactional work involving purchase of major manufacturing complex
• Preparation of response to USEPA on behalf of potentially responsible party at superfund site
• Provide political strategy to clients with specialized needs in local markets
• Presentation of site plan and variance applications before local zoning and planning boards

Professional Affiliations

• New Hampshire Bar Association

Awards & Honors

• Delegate to 2004 Republican National Convention
• Named "Rising Star" in the Real Estate category by New Hampshire Magazine
• Named to New Hampshire's 40 Under Forty List for 2004

Community Involvement

• Member of Leadership Greater Manchester Class of 2004
• Daniel Webster Council/Boy Scouts of America Friends of Scouting Campaign, Chairman, 2003-2004
• Governor Stephen E. Merrill Portrait Committee, Chairman, 2002-2003
• United Way Account Executive 2002
• "Keeping You, Me and Memories Alive", volunteer, 2000-present

Publications

• Business NH Magazine, Business Brokers Beware: The Long Reach of RSA 331-A - New Hampshire's Real Estate Practice Act , October 2005
• NH Bar Journal, Survey of New Hampshire Election 2004 Issues, (August 2004)

Bar Admissions

• New Hampshire