Newton H. Kershaw Jr.
Shareholder

Biography

Newton is an shareholder of the firm, where he focuses his legal practice in the area of employee benefits. Newton's benefits practice goes back to 1974, when, as a new attorney, he was assigned the task of familiarizing himself with a new law known as ERISA. He has occasionally compared ERISA to bubblegum, which sticks to the bottom of your shoe.

Newton consults and advises clients about benefits matters. Although Newton's practice is technical, he helps his clients see the bigger picture in order to make wise decisions. He is involved in a wide range of issues, including qualified pension plans, ESOPs, executive compensation, rabbi trusts, cafeteria and flexible benefit plans, COBRA, pension investment policies, fiduciary responsibilities, benefits taxation, controlled groups, health benefits, disability benefits, governmental plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457 plans, and so-forth. Newton represents clients before the Department of Labor, the IRS, and the PBGC in audits and in connection with correction of errors with respect to employee plans. He also manages the firm's defined contribution prototype plan, which is available for adoption by clients of the firm.

Newton routinely works with the firm's commercial litigators in connection with ERISA or benefits-related litigation. Newton's expertise extends to tax-exempt entities, employment and corporate law.

Newton is heavily involved in community activities, and he has undertaken leadership with respect to brain injury and disability issues in New Hampshire. As a consequence of these involvements, Newton has a hands on familiarity with New Hampshire legislative and regulatory issues.

EDUCATION:

University of Kansas Law School, Juris Doctor (Order of the Coif), 1974
Harvard College, Bachelor of Arts, 1971

Representative Clients

• Granite State Telephone, Inc.
• Globe Manufacturing Company, LLC.
• Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital
• Town of Merrimack
• Robbins Auto Parts
• University System of New Hampshire
• Salem Cooperative Bank
• City of Keene
• Catholic Medical Center
• Dartmouth College
• Community Support Network, Inc.
• Moore Center Services
• Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire

Professional Affiliations

• New Hampshire Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Manchester Bar Association
• IRS Pension Liaison Group, Brooklyn Key District Office, New Hampshire Representative (on behalf of the Human Resources Association of Greater Concord, NH)
• Society for Human Resource Management
• Business and Industry Association, Member

Awards & Honors

• Recently recognized and ranked in the Chambers USA 2011 edition as one of America's leading attorneys in Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation.
• Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012 in the fields of Employee Benefits Law and Non-Profit/Charities Law (Copyright 2011 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). Recognized 10 plus years.
• AV® Rating, the highest rating by Martindale-Hubbell
• Recognized as a "New England Super Lawyer" in the practice area of Employee Benefits/ERISA 2007 - 2010
• Named "Top Attorney" focused on Employee Benefits by New Hampshire Magazine
• Ellen Hayes Award 2009 for outstanding volunteer service to people with brain injuries in New Hampshire
• Gubernatorial Citation for Brain Injury Association 2000 family member award
• Selected, one of NH's Lawyer's Lawyers, 1994, employee benefits

Speaking Engagements

• Numerous presentations on benefits related topics

Community Involvement

• Commission on Retiree Health Care Benefits Funding Model 2008-2009, Gubernatorial Appointee
• Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire, Former Board Member, Past President
• The Krempels Foundation, Former Board Member
• New Hampshire Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Advisory Council, Gubernatorial Appointee
• Disabilities Rights Center, Former Board Member
• Moore Center Services, Former Board Member, Former Chair
• Advisory Committee to State of NH re TBI Grants
• TBI Grant, Project Response, Advisory Group
• Leadership Manchester
• Federated Arts, Former Board Member, Chair of Strategic Planning Committee
• Manchester City Government Review Task Force
• Harvard Club of New Hampshire, Student Interviewer, Former Treasurer
• Child Health Services, Former Board Member
• Manchester Little League North, Former Coach
• Currier Art Gallery, Member
• Manchester Historic Association, Member

Bar Admissions

• New Hampshire