Legal Briefs: News From Around NH

Gun deaths outpaced motor vehicle deaths in 34 states, including New Hampshire, in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available, according to an analysis by the Violence Policy Center.

That year, gun deaths (including gun suicide, homicide, and fatal unintentional shootings) outpaced motor vehicle deaths (both occupant and pedestrian) in New Hampshire, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

According to the center, nine out of 10 American households have access to a motor vehicle while approximately four out of  10 American households contain a gun.

Michael McLean

The center reported that in 2020, there were 128 gun deaths in New Hampshire, with a gun death rate of 9.37 per 100,000 residents. That same year, there were 124 motor vehicle deaths, with a death rate of 9.08.

Ten years earlier, there were 118 gun deaths in the state, with a death rate of 8.96. At the same time there were 135 motor vehicle deaths and a death rate of 10.7.

McLean wins promotion at McLane Middleton

McLane Middleton has announced the promotion of Michael C. McLean of Bow to director of marketing and business development.

McLean joined McLane Middleton as marketing and business development Manager in 2014. Before that, he spent six years at Mid-Atlantic Corporate Federal Credit Union (now Vizo Financial), most recently as communications specialist.

National Safe Parents Coalition picks Monigle

Christine Monigle, principle of Leto Advisors & Advocates, Hanover, has been chosen by the National Safe Parents Coalition as the lead advocate to enact Kayden’s Law in the states of New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

The law would require an evidentiary hearing during child custody proceedings to verify abuse allegations. Kayden’s Law will restrict expert testimony to those who are appropriately qualified as well as limit the use of reunification and therapies which cannot be proven to be safe and effective.

Monigle is a certified divorce coach and trained advocate, and she is licensed and has training by Tina Swithin, founder of One Mom’s Battle, a national divorce rights advocacy group.

Jon Readnour

Readnour joins DRM

Attorney Jon Readnour, whose practice focuses on condominium law and homeowners’ associations, has joined the northern New England law firm of Downs Rachlin Martin and will practice from the firm’s Burlington, Vt., office. In private practice in Rutland, Vt., for over 35 years and as owner of his own firm for the last 15, Readnour advises common interest community and condominium associations on a broad range of legal and management issues, including corporate governance, property and rental management disputes, contract negotiations, amendment and enforcement of condominium declarations, drafting of bylaws and rules and construction, maintenance and environmental licensing of condominium infrastructure.