October 30, 2018
Cain Hibbard has added three lawyers to its litigation group, bolstering its capacity in the areas of domestic relations, health law, intellectual property, and complex litigation.
“We feel very fortunate to have found three terrific lawyers who wanted to make the Berkshires their home, and Cain Hibbard their firm,” said Lucy Prashker, Cain Hibbard’s managing partner. Kaitlin O’Brien and Taylor Ventre both have begun with the firm as first year associates based in the firm’s Pittsfield office. Melissa Stewart, who is based in the firm’s Great Barrington office, has joined the firm after having spent several years practicing with a large firm both in Boston, and in New York City. “It’s great not just for Cain Hibbard and our clients, but for the Berkshires to have such a wonderful influx of talented young professionals; we could not be more pleased,” said Prashker.
Kaitlin O’Brien, a native of Western New York, graduated magna cum laude from Allegheny College in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and from Boston University School of Law in 2018. While at BU Law, Kaitlin served as a Writing Fellow, a board member of the Women’s Law Association, and a staff member on the International Law Journal. Kaitlin is also an alumna of Boston University’s Criminal Law Clinic where she served as a student prosecutor in Quincy District Court.
“I chose to join Cain Hibbard because the firm offers the rare opportunity to practice in lots of challenging and meaningful areas of law, while working in a close-knit, supportive environment. My relocation to the Berkshires was a logical next step after living in Boston – I am now closer to my family, and I am able to enjoy once again all the benefits of living in a smaller community.”
Taylor Ventre, originally from Syracuse, New York, graduated magna cum laude from Mercyhurst University, and received her J.D. from the University of University of Maine School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. As a student attorney, Taylor had the rewarding opportunity to help victims of domestic violence in both civil and criminal proceedings. She worked in the domestic violence unit of the York County District Attorney’s office as a student attorney prosecutor. Taylor also spent a summer working at a non-profit organization that represented victims of domestic violence.
“With its incredible reputation, its talented, experienced attorneys, and its unbeatable location in the Berkshires, joining the Cain Hibbard team was an easy choice for me,”
Melissa Stewart received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was a Global Law Scholar, and her Masters in Law from the Institut d’études politiques de Paris (SciencesPo). She spent the last four years with a large Boston-based international firm where she focused on complex litigation and arbitration in the areas of intellectual property, environmental and international law. She is a published contributor to multiple law reviews and industry publications, has presented at the United Nations, and served as counsel to the Philippines in a dispute against China presented to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
As a trained violinist, Melissa’s move to the Berkshires was motivated in part by her roots in music. “I am drawn to the area for its sense of history and deep commitment to the arts. Cain Hibbard speaks to my professional and personal priorities, with its diversified practice areas, commitment to community service, and deep history serving clients in the region.”