Litigation has long been a core strength at Sulloway & Hollis. Since the firm’s founding more than 170 years ago, we have continued to build on a legacy of excellence in litigation services, remaining on the leading edge of new technologies and strategies for effective advocacy.

Our attorneys draw on a wealth of experience to prepare compelling cases. We have a proven record of success and appear regularly before state and federal trial courts as well as representing clients on appeals before the New Hampshire Supreme Court, Massachusetts Appeals Court, Rhode Island Supreme Court and the First and Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

We understand when to press forward and when to settle, depending on the unique goals of each client and the parameters of every case. We also help clients resolve disputes through arbitration, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Our goal is to reach a swift, favorable and cost-effective resolution through whatever avenue is best suited to protecting our clients’ interests.

Our litigation practice spans a wide range of legal issues. Because these issues often intersect with other practice groups, we provide clients with a well-rounded perspective, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions.

Our Comprehensive Litigation Services include:

Health Care Litigation and Dispute Resolution

The Healthcare Litigation Practice at Sulloway & Hollis advises clients in commercial litigation, civil disputes, internal investigations, and enforcement actions. Our team represents hospitals, healthcare systems, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, nursing homes, and other healthcare providers in just about every form of litigation imaginable.

Our healthcare clients depend on our deep experience in navigating these disputes and ability to analyze the applicable statutes, rules, and regulations. Our team works collaboratively with each client to plan and implement dispute resolution strategies in a variety of areas, including:

  • Licensing issues
  • Staff privileges
  • Accreditation challenges
  • Insurance coverage
  • Breach of contract
  • Independent physician/group practice disputes
  • Employment and restrictive covenant litigation
  • Compensation disputes
  • Healthcare service provider litigation
  • ERISA fiduciary and payor-provider disputes
  • Commercial matters
  • Healthcare fraud and abuse
  • Government investigations

We understand when to press forward and when to settle, depending on the goals of each client and the parameters of every case. We also help clients resolve disputes through arbitration, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Our goal is to reach a swift, favorable and cost-effective resolution through whatever avenue is best suited to protect our clients’ interests.

Learn more about our Healthcare group.

Medical Malpractice Litigation

Sulloway & Hollis has been a leader in medical malpractice defense for more than 50 years.

Our skilled medical malpractice team is led by some of the top malpractice lawyers in the region. We help our clients manage risk and defend all types of malpractice claims.

We represent doctors, physician groups, hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers in medical review panel proceedings, jury trials, bench trials, and mediations in state and federal court. We also represent providers in fraud and abuse investigations and other matters involving state and federal agencies, as well as boards, licensing and staff privileges disputes.

Our team is led by senior attorneys with years of experience. It draws on a depth of experience, knowledge, contacts, and resources unmatched throughout New England to advise and defend our healthcare clients. They are supported by a dedicated group of talented associate attorneys and experienced paralegals skilled in medical record collection and analysis, medical literature search and review, preparation of trial exhibits, and other critical support services.

Our Medical Malpractice Team can help with:

  • Defense of Medical Negligence Claims
  • Defense of General Liability Claims
  • Defense of Dental Malpractice Claims
  • Defense of Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center Claims
  • Professional Liability
  • Hospital Credentialing and Privileging Proceedings
  • Class Action Litigation
  • Defense of Institutional Review Board actions
  • Risk Prevention
  • Disciplinary Actions Before the State Licensing Boards including:
    • Board of Physicians
    • Board of Nursing
    • Board of Dental Examiners

Learn more about our Healthcare group.

Insurance Defense Litigation

Sulloway & Hollis Insurance Defense attorneys provide expert risk assessment and representation in a range of litigated matters for insurers, insureds, self-insured entities and third-party administrators under a variety of insurance policies.

Sulloway & Hollis is on select national approved counsel panels for insurance companies that provide property & casualty (commercial and personal lines), professional liability, D&O, cyber, employment practices liability, life, health & disability, auto and homeowner policies and other specialty line coverages to their insureds across the country and around the world.

When retained as panel defense counsel, we skillfully and vigorously represent insureds in litigation matters that include:

  • Complex personal injury claims, including products liability and premises liability claims
  • Workers’ compensation claims
  • Medical malpractice claims
  • Fire loss and other complex property damage claims
  • ERISA and labor and employment matters
  • Breach of fiduciary duty claims
  • Professional liability claims
  • Construction litigation
  • Construction surety and fidelity claims
  • Probate bond claims
  • Data security and cyber liability claims
  • Errors and omissions claims
  • Director and Officer liability claims

We understand the importance of timely and effective communication about the status of claims and the efficient handling of all matters. We work with claims professionals to develop the appropriate strategy for each case. We are as skilled at resolving cases through mediation and other alternate dispute resolution mechanisms as we are in the courtroom.

Probate Litigation

Navigating probate and estate administration can be complicated, especially when disputes arise. At Sulloway & Hollis, we assist clients with all aspects of trust and estate administration, including probate litigation. Our attorneys bring to the practice a wealth of experience handling complex estate disputes. Applying strong litigation backgrounds, we provide guidance and litigation services for executors, trustees, beneficiaries, heirs and other interested parties throughout the U.S. in matters involving New Hampshire estates and trusts.

Combining Strong Litigation Skills With Well-Rounded Legal Knowledge

Probate litigation requires technical knowledge of trust law, tax issues, estate planning and administrative principles; it also requires strong litigation skills. Because our attorneys are well-versed in complex estate planning, we understand the legal landscape that shapes the outcome of probate and trust disputes. We are also accomplished litigators. Many have earned professional acclaim from prestigious organizations such as Chambers U.S.A., New England Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers®.

We Handle Probate and Trust Litigation Involving:

  • Will contests
  • Capacity challenges
  • Undue influence
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Disputes over asset valuations and accountings
  • Mismanagement of assets
  • Guardianship disputes
  • Validation of wills and trusts

Many of these cases concern the trusts and/or estates of business owners or executives. High-value assets such as closely-held businesses, real estate, stock options and retirement accounts may be at stake.

Because our firm has a multidisciplinary practice, our attorneys are especially well-equipped to handle these unique issues. Our robust business and corporate law and real estate groups provide guidance on the intersection between these often overlapping areas of law.

Learn more about our Trusts, Wills & Estates group.

Real Estate & Land Use Litigation

The real estate litigation attorneys at Sulloway & Hollis bring a wealth of experience in real estate and land use litigation, including eminent domain, inverse condemnation, zoning issues, environmental proceedings, public utility proceedings, construction disputes, and tax abatement/exemption claims.

Disputes can arise even with the most carefully executed real estate transactions and agreements. When litigation does arise, owners, landlords, management companies, investors, lenders, tenants, and REITs need an experienced legal team at the ready.

Our team will analyze the dispute and develop a strategy designed to achieve our clients desired result. Early resolution of disputes is often the goal and our attorneys will make a thorough assessment of the most effective way to achieve the client's goals.

Our real estate litigation clients include developers, real estate management companies, contractors, owners, landlords, commercial tenants, institutional investors, real estate brokers, commercial lenders, cooperative and condominium boards, and neighborhood groups. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of the issues and disputes that arise during the permitting process, and help clients through the maze of administrative procedures and proceedings.

When early resolution of the dispute is not possible, we will vigorously protect their interests in the courtroom. Our attorneys are trial lawyers with extensive trial experience before judges, juries, and arbitrators.

Our litigators work collaboratively with our transactional attorneys to provide clients with a complete solution that addresses their needs.

Learn more about our Real Estate group.

Labor & Employment Litigation

Sulloway & Hollis employment attorneys represent a wide range of employers in employment litigation, whether the matters are pending in federal or state court, in arbitration, or before an administrative agency.

When an employment dispute arises, it can disrupt your company and detract from your mission. The team of employment litigators at Sulloway & Hollis can help minimize risk and address the dispute. We help clients evaluate the best course of action and develop strategies that align with your business philosophy.

Our team helps clients decide whether the best course of action is early resolution through mediation or through litigation. Our attorneys are effective courtroom advocates with substantial experience in bench and jury trials in state and federal court. We understand when to press forward and when to settle, depending on the goals of each client and the parameters of every case. We also help clients resolve disputes through arbitration, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Our goal is to reach a swift, favorable, and cost-effective resolution through whatever avenue is best suited to protect our clients' interests.

Our capabilities include: 

  • Employment discrimination claims under federal, state and local statutes including Title VII, ADEA, ADA, §1981 and FMLA and equivalent state statutes
  • Wage and hour claims under The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state wage and hour laws
  • Employment-related claims under NLRA, OSHA, HIPAA, IRCA, WARN and equivalent state statutes
  • Wrongful termination cases under state law
    Retaliation and whistleblowing cases under state and federal law (including SOX claims)
  • State law contract disputes
    State law tort claims

Our clients include national corporations as well as regional and local businesses. We've represented clients in various industries, including financial services, food service, health care, higher education, hospitality, manufacturing, media, not-for-profit, professional services, retail, service providers, technology, and telecommunications.

Learn more about our Labor & Employment group.

Business & Commercial Litigation

The litigation team at Sulloway & Hollis recognizes the risks involved in business litigation. Our attorneys strive to help clients avoid the high costs of protracted disputes through creative, cost-effective solutions. We are passionate about our work and strive to develop strategies for resolving disputes in a favorable and efficient manner. Yet, we are skilled advocates in the courtroom ready to defend or prosecute cases to verdict when necessary.

Our legal team includes accomplished litigators with impressive records of success. We have effectively protected clients’ interests before state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies and regulatory bodies. Additionally, we routinely represent clients in arbitration and other forms of alternative disputes resolution.

As business attorneys and trial lawyers, we understand the legal and economic climate in which our clients operate. With our client’s business objectives in mind, our attorneys work collaboratively with clients and in-house legal counsel to secure positive results.

Our business litigation attorneys address all aspects of business and corporate law, and possess a uniquely in-depth understanding of our client’s business needs. We routinely handle cases involving:

  • Internal disputes within partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies
  • Stockholder and derivative actions
  • Breach of contract disputes for clients seeking monetary damages and/or injunctive relief
  • Unfair and deceptive trade practices claims
  • Trade secrets and noncompetition litigation
  • Construction disputes and construction bond claims
  • Product liability litigation
  • Employment and labor disputes, including wrongful discharge claims
  • Environmental enforcement proceedings at the municipal, state and federal levels
  • Insurance coverage disputes
  • Professional liability claims
  • Real estate litigation, including land use, eminent domain, environmental, inverse condemnation and tax abatement proceedings
  • Banking and lender liability disputes
  • ERISA litigation
  • Adversarial bankruptcy proceedings
  • Public utility regulatory proceedings
  • Data security and cyber liability claims

Learn more about our Business & Corporate Law group.

Litigation News

Anchoring a Verdict Without Angering the Court

The practice of anchoring in litigation is a well-known, much-discussed practice among plaintiff - and defense-oriented attorneys and legal ... Read more

Dana K. Goss Joins Sulloway & Hollis

Concord, NH - September 7, 2023: Sulloway & Hollis welcomes Dana Goss to the firm as an Associate. Ms. Goss will provide comprehensive and ... Read more

Jeffrey R. Wasson Joins Sulloway & Hollis

Sulloway & Hollis welcomes Jeffrey Wasson to the firm as an Associate. Mr. Wasson will provide comprehensive and strategic counsel to clients in ... Read more

David Johnston will be a panelist for an upcoming TDLA event.

Sulloway Member Dave Johnston will be a panelist for an upcoming TDLA (Tri-State Defense Lawyers Association) CLE session. Dave and his fellow ... Read more

Eric Passeggio Appointed to the DRI Center for Law & Public Policy – Social Inflation Task Force

Sulloway Member Eric R. Passeggio was recently appointed to the DRI Center for Law & Public Policy – Social Inflation Task Force. This task ... Read more