Gary L. Franklin
Russell A. Young
Doreen Connor has handled more than 200 appeals before the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Doreen was inducted into the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (AAAL) in 2006 by nomination from N.H. Supreme Court Justice Duggan, who was also an AAAL member. She is the only New Hampshire attorney in the AAAL handling civil appeals. Her experience and reputation before the Court distinguishes her from those that appear before the Court less frequently. Doreen’s appellate practice includes appeals from attorneys and clients outside the firm, as well as appeals from existing firm clients. In addition to her appellate practice, Doreen has spent 38 years analyzing personal line and commercial insurance policies. She is well known for her expertise in insurance coverage matters.
She represents both insureds and insurance companies in disputes over policy language. Doreen has the skills, experience, and knowledge to resolve complex insurance disputes efficiently and effectively.
Admitted to Practice
- New Hampshire State Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire
- Vermont State Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont
- Maine State Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
Education
- University of Maine School of Law, J.D.
- Bates College, B.A.
Notables
- One of only four New Hampshire Fellows in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, an invitation-only professional organization requiring at least 15 years of appellate practice, excellence in appellate work and a recognized reputation for integrity for consideration.
- Elected as a Fellow in the American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel (ACCEC), comprised of experienced and ethical lawyers whose practice is largely concentrated on matters of insurance coverage.
Selected cases:
- Successfully acquired coverage for client following a $1,715,000 verdict for personal injury damages arising out of alleged construction defects under a “Managers, Landlord or Lessors additional insured” endorsement deemed by the Court to be ambiguous. Great American Dining v. Philadelphia Ins. Co., 164 NH 612 (2013)
- After a 17 day divorce trial, successfully defended multiple appeal challenges including an order that required the client’s spouse to pay all future attorney fees for any proceeding related to the parties divorce decree and/or minor child. In re Hampers, 154 N.H. 275 (2006)
- Was successful in reinstating a widow who had been removed from her husband’s life insurance policies during the parties’ divorce and subjected to financial hardship for husband’s debts flowing from his suicide In re Jackson, No. 2013-0093.
Pro Bono & Volunteer Work
- Henniker Zoning Board of Adjustment, Member, 1993 -Present
- Henniker Zoning Board of Adjustment, Chair, 2008-Present
- Pats Peak Educational Foundation, Treasurer, 2007-2019
- Pats Peak Educational Foundation, Board Member, 2007-Present
- White Mt. Region Pony Club, Treasurer, 2012-Present
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
- The American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel
- New Hampshire Supreme Court Society, Chair
- New Hampshire Bar Association, Appellate Section, Chair
- New Hampshire Board of Bar Examiners
- New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association
Publications & Presentations
- “CLE: Appellate Advocacy”, Updated Civil Appeals Section, NHBA, 2025; 2022; 2019; 2015.
- “Brief: Writing from the Advocates Perspective”, Author, 2022.
- “CLE: Insurance Coverage for the General Practitioner in IP Claims”, NHBA, 2019; 2016; 2014.
- “CLE: Advanced Personal Injury Litigation (Litigation of Coverage Disputes)”, NHBA, Author, 2019.
- “CLE: Legal Update–A Year in Family Law Review”, NHBA, May 17, 2017.
- “CLE: Advanced Uninsured Motorist Law”, NHBA, 2016.
- “Personal Injury Insurance Safeguards”, Author, NH Bar News, August 2014.
- “The Insider’s Guide to NH Supreme Court,” Appellate Practice Compendium, ABA Council of Appellate Lawyers, 2012.
- “Discovery Relating to Experts”, New Hampshire Discovery Manual, MCLE Chapter 17, 2011.
- “Persuasive Brief Writing”, NBI, September 29, 2010.
- “A Practical Guide to Divorce in NH”, MCLE Chapter 18, Post-Trial Motions & Appellate Procedure”, 2009
- “Rule Changes Domestic Appeals by 25 Percent”, NH Bar News, August 24, 2009.
- NH Practice and Procedure Handbook, INsurance Law, NHBA, Annual Update, 2003 – 2016.
Speaking Engagements
- “Appellate Advocacy”, NH Bar Association, 2025; 2022; 2019, 2015.
- “Insurance 101”, NH Bar Association, 2024; 2022.
- “Insurance Coverage for the Non-Coverage Practitioner”, Vermont Bar Association (Mid-Winter Thaw), 2023.
- “Automobile-Liability and Uninsured Motorist Coverage”; New Hampshire Bar Association; 2021.
- “Coverage Issues In Advanced Personal Injury Litigation”; NH Bar Association, 2019
- Insurance Coverage for IP Disputes; NH Bar Association, 2019; 2016; 2014.
- “Legal Update – A Year in Review” Family Law From A to Z Seminar; New Hampshire Bar Association, Manchester, NH; May 17, 2017.
- “Auto Insurance and UIM claims CLE;” NH Bar Association; April 13, 2017.
- “Appellate Advocacy”, NH Bar Association, 2015; 2019.
- “Insurance Law”, NH Bar Association, 2015.
- “Insurance Coverage as it Relates to Business Disputes”, NH Bar Association, 2014.
- “Advanced Uninsured Motorist Law”, NBI Institute 2016.
Honors and Awards
- Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America, 2024
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Insurance Law
- Litigation-Insurance
- 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Bet-the-Company Litigation in Manchester, NH
- 2022 “Lawyer of the Year”- Litigation in Insurance
- The Best Lawyers in America©, 2011 – Present
- New England Super Lawyers®, 2007 – Present
- American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Fellow, 2006 – Present
- 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law
- 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” Bet-the-Company Litigation
- 2017 “Lawyer of the Year” for Appellate Practice
- 2013 “Lawyer of the Year” for Appellate Practice
- Martindale Hubbell® AV® Peer Review RatedTM
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