PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cain Hibbard & Myers, PC announced its expansion with the recent hire of three additional attorneys to serve the firm's network of clients in Western Massachusetts and New York.

 

Susan Herman, Jeff O'Connor, and Kyle Patzwahl bring an array of skills and expertise to enhance the firm's established practice areas, as well as build on its legacy of excellence and its philosophy that success is measured by client service.

 

Susan Herman joins the firm as Of Counsel with over 40 years of experience in the private and public sector. Susan's experience includes 15 years as a private practitioner with a firm in Lewiston, Maine, where her practice included corporate matters, torts, domestic relations, civil litigation, appeals, and employment matters.  Susan's public sector career includes serving as an Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General and most recently Chief Deputy for the Maine Office of the Attorney General, working under seven Attorneys General over 26 years. Susan's experience includes  representing the State of Maine, its agencies, and officers in a wide variety of civil matters, including employment matters, torts, constitutional claims, civil rights claims, civil appeals, and multi-state litigation.  As Chief Deputy, Susan worked closely with the Attorney General on high priority and sensitive matters relating to state agencies, the Governor's Office, the Legislature, and members of the public. Susan was the primary attorney responsible for multi-state impact litigation in cases involving immigration, healthcare, election issues, the census, and reproductive rights. Susan was also instrumental in the development and implementation of policies and protocols relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Jeff O'Connor also joins the firm as Of Counsel.  After starting his career at Cain Hibbard, Jeff most recently practiced for twelve years as an associate and partner of a regional, Boston-based firm, primarily defending medical and legal malpractice cases, and representing professionals in licensing and disciplinary matters.  Jeff also has experience defending employment discrimination claims on behalf of both secular and religious employers; litigating commercial disputes; guiding clients under investigation by state and federal agencies; and counseling health care organizations in HIPAA, Stark, and other areas of regulatory compliance.  He is excited and gratified to now be able to leverage that experience on behalf of Cain Hibbard's clients.

 

Kyle Patzwahl joins Cain Hibbard as an Associate with the firm's real estate and business group. Originally from Hudson, New York, Kyle graduated from The George Washington University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Business Administration. He earned his J.D. from Boston College Law School and will earn his MBA from Boston College Carroll School of Management in 2022. During his time at Boston College, Kyle served as President of the Real Estate Law Society, Committee chair of the Law Students Association, and Board Member of Eagle to Eagle, a mentoring program. Kyle was previously a summer associate at the firm in 2021. As a new resident of Lenox, Kyle has a passion for skiing, gardening, and spending time with his new dog, Henry.

 

"We are thrilled to have the tremendous wealth of experience that Sue and Jeff bring to our litigation department," said Managing Partner, Lucy Prashker. "Their addition, together with the energy and drive Kyle brings to our busy real estate, business and banking group, positions us well to serve our clients' needs, however complex."