Legal Briefs: News From Around NH

S. Amy Spencer joins Nixon Peabody

Amy Spencer

Nixon Peabody has expanded its Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense practice with the addition of S. Amy Spencer, who joins the international law firm as counsel.

Amy is also a member of Nixon Peabody’s Higher Education team, which partners with academic institutions to ensure they deliver on their critical missions as educators, researchers, and regional economic engines. Based in the firm’s Manchester office, she represents organizations and individuals in investigations, regulatory inquiries, and complex criminal and civil cases involving securities and financial fraud, Title IX, NCAA compliance, election law, and other federal and state law matters.

“Amy has a strong track record of helping clients successfully navigate criminal and regulatory investigations,” said Robert Fisher, leader of Nixon Peabody’s Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense practice. “With the federal government stating its intentions to increase civil and criminal enforcement, Amy’s range of experience will be an asset for our group.”

Amy’s work includes representing clients in matters involving mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, bank fraud, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, money laundering, cybersecurity, identity theft, campaign finance and election law, civil rights and discrimination, consumer protection, complex commercial disputes, sex offenses, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), the False Claims Act (FCA), the Stark Law, and the Anti-Kickback Statute, among other areas.

A significant portion of her civil practice involves representing and advising educational institutions, faculty, and staff in matters involving Title IX, academic misconduct, employment, civil rights and discrimination, NCAA and secondary athletic compliance, and the emerging field of name, image, and likeness (NIL).

Amy is licensed to practice in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, and California. She is also admitted in the U.S. District Courts for the District of New Hampshire, the Southern District of New York, the Eastern District of New York, and the Western District of Texas, and in the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First Circuit and the Fifth Circuit.

Amy previously served as a law clerk for the Honorable Steven J. McAuliffe of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, the Honorable Carolyn Dineen King of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the Honorable John E. Sprizzo of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and the Honorable Kevin Thomas Duffy of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Amy earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, summa cum laude, and her B.A. from Columbia University’s Columbia College. In addition, she received her teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach. Amy served as a middle school English teacher and Language Arts department chair prior to embarking on her legal career.

Rochester City Council considers sportsbook proposal — again

The Rochester City Council will discuss a proposed sportsbook casino at a Tuesday meeting, when, if approved, local residents will be able to vote on the proposal during November’s election.

Tuesday’s meeting is only an initial hearing on the proposal. The City Council would have to approve the referendum in September. A public hearing also would need to take place in October before it could be placed on the November ballot. The proposed townwide referendum would be held on November 7.

Even if voters approve the proposal, the New Hampshire Lottery Commission would need to approve Rochester as a gaming site.

In a prior 2019 vote, Rochester residents defeated a casino/sportsbook proposal. The close vote was 1,488 to 1,439.

In June, the Rochester City Council approved an ordinance that says where such a gaming operation can be located in the community. That includes a commercial zone near routes 11 and 125, or the Granite Ridge zone. If it is located in The Ridge shopping plaza, a special permit would be needed.

Any gaming floor would need to be at least 20,000 square feet, and parking requirements include spaces for buses and at least 0.75 parking spaces per gaming position.

At least 2 percent of the parking spaces need to have electric vehicle charging stations, with a minimum of four required. There are also requirements for outdoor entertainment noise, architecture, and landscaping.

Under state law, New Hampshire can open no more than 10 sports wagering operations in charitable gaming casinos.

In June, a new charitable casino was given approval by a local planning board in Concord after a lengthy review. It is to be on the east side of the state’s capital. But concerns about crime and environmental impact have led to opposition to the project.

Susan Cannon

Susan Cannon joins McLane Middleton as trust officer

The law firm of McLane Middleton is pleased to announce the hiring of Susan E. Cannon as a Trust Officer in the firm’s growing Trust Services Department.

Susan will work with grantors and beneficiaries, their fiduciaries, and financial advisors to coordinate and facilitate asset transfers, distributions, review tax documents, prepare reporting and other trust related services.

Susan began her career in 1995 as an internal auditor and compliance officer with Bank of America and then Citizens Bank. Prior to joining McLane Middleton, she was a Relationship Manager and Vice President with Cambridge Trust in their Wealth Management group for 10 years.

Attorney General’s office investigating alleged attack on Somersworth shop owners

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office has joined an investigation into an alleged Monday assault of a gay couple who run a chocolate shop in Somersworth.

The couple, who both live and operate the Wm. Poole Confections shop, reported they were injured in an attack by a group of juveniles who shouted homophobic taunts.

In a post on Facebook, William Poole said he was struck on the eye with a blunt instrument and suffered lacerations, bruises and stitches from the assault by young people trying to enter the couple’s second-floor residence.

“I fear for my life and that of my partner, and I fear that our home and business (will) be further antagonized or damaged,” he wrote. “We will not reenter our home and business without police escort.”

In an earlier post, Poole wrote that on July 16, two individuals out of a small group of young people made it onto a ledge of the building and attempted to break into their residence. When confronted on the sidewalk, the group shouted homophobic slurs at them, Poole wrote.

Michael Garrity, spokesperson for the NH Attorney General’s office, said Thursday they have joined the investigation into the incident.

“Our Civil Rights Unit is certainly aware of this incident and is actively working with the Somersworth Police Department and our law enforcement partners to look into it further,” Garrity said in a written statement.

Garrity said anyone with information should contact the Somersworth Police Department or the attorney general’s office.