ATTORNEYS
The attorneys at Dunn and Dunn provide counsel and representation to health care professionals and institutions throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, representing both the personal and professional interests of their clients prior to and during all stages of litigation.
CHRISTOPHER R. LAVOIE, ESQ.
CHRISTOPHER LAVOIE is the managing partner at Dunn and Dunn. He is a trial attorney whose practice focuses on the defense of complex litigation, including medical malpractice, nursing home, general liability, personal injury and premises liability cases. His practice includes representing clients in both State and Federal Court. Mr. Lavoie also has experience representing healthcare providers before their boards of registration and advising healthcare providers on regulatory, credentialing and peer review issues. Mr. Lavoie is a frequent lecturer to healthcare professionals and has tried many cases in the Massachusetts Courts.
Mr. Lavoie is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the State of New Hampshire, the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire, the State of Rhode Island and the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island.
Mr. Lavoie is a 1994 graduate of the University of Chicago and 1997 graduate of Suffolk University Law School where he served as Managing Editor of the Suffolk University Law Review. Mr. Lavoie currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
MANAGING PARTNER
clavoie@dunnanddunn.com
PARTNER
tjesson@dunnanddunn.com
TOBY M. JESSON, ESQ.
TOBY M. JESSON joined the Law Firm of Dunn and Dunn in 2009. Attorney Jesson is a partner at the firm, and concentrates his practice in the defense of health care professionals. Attorney Jesson has successfully represented academic medical institutions, hospitals, individual health care providers, and skilled nursing and long-term care facilities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on a wide variety of claims since 2003. Attorney Jesson represents clients in both state and federal courts and is experienced in various forms of alternative dispute resolution. He also represents his clients before their overseeing boards, agencies and commissions.
Prior to focusing his practice on the representation of health care professionals, Attorney Jesson served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps at Fort Monroe Virginia. As the Assistant Post Judge Advocate, Attorney Jesson advised Garrison and Company Commanders and also provided legal counsel to military service members and retirees on a wide variety of issues including wills, trusts and estates, real estate, contract law, tax law and administrative law.
During his years as a Judge Advocate, Attorney Jesson was also trial counsel at Fort Monroe, serving as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and handling the prosecution of all felony and misdemeanor matters on the base. As a SAUSA, he served as the attorney of record on appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.
Attorney Jesson is a graduate of The University of Virginia and Suffolk University Law School. He is admitted to the practice of law in all Courts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States District Courts for the District of Massachusetts and the Eastern District of Virginia, and the United States Courts of Appeals for the First and Fourth Circuits.
Attorney Jesson currently resides in Hingham, Massachusetts with his wife and three children.
MATHEW G. DUNN, ESQ.
MATHEW DUNN joined Dunn & Dunn in 2007 and is a Partner at the firm. Attorney Dunn focuses his practice on the defense of healthcare professionals and institutions in medical and professional liability cases in all Courts in MA and NH, as well as before their overseeing administrative boards, agencies, and commissions.
Attorney Dunn has successfully represented providers at all stages of the process before the Courts, the Boards of Registration in Medicine, Nursing, and Dentistry, as well as the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and Department of Children and Families. Attorney Dunn also advises clients in the areas of processional licensure, risk management, and compliance. Additionally, he represents and advises clients in nontraditional judicial proceedings including criminal and family related matters.
Attorney Dunn has also successfully litigated matters before the Massachusetts Appeals Court, including Gorham v. Jordan Hospital, et al., 84 Mass. App. Ct. 1125, 999 N.E.2d 503 (2013) and Reed v. Newburger, et al, 92 Mass. App. Ct. 1104, 87 N.E.3d 1202 (2017), review denied, 478 Mass. 1110 (2018).
Attorney Dunn is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of New Hampshire, and the U.S. District Courts for the District of Massachusetts and the District of New Hampshire.
In connection with his employment, Attorney Dunn was named a Top Lawyer by Boston Magazine in 2021 and 2022.
Prior to his employment at Dunn & Dunn, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County. During this employment he was involved in the Community Based Juvenile Justice program and the Changing Lives Through Literature program.
Mathew Dunn is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (B.A., 2003) and New England School of Law (J.D., 2006). While attending the New England School of Law he received the CALI Excellence Award for being the highest-ranking student in the course of Criminal Advocacy. Outside of work, Attorney Dunn is an avid tennis player, having played in high school and college.
PARTNER
mdunn@dunnanddunn.com
PARTNER
jdelisi@dunnanddunn.com
JOSEPH L. DELISI, ESQ.
JOSEPH L. DELISI joined the law firm of Dunn and Dunn in January of 2011. Mr. Delisi concentrates his practice in the defense of health care professionals and health care facilities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In his practice Mr. Delisi has successfully represented hospitals, physicians, nurses, skilled nursing facilities and other health care providers. Attorney Delisi also has experience in general liability, premises liability, employment matters, Board of Registration in Medicine, Board of Registration in Nursing, and Board of Registration in Dentistry matters in his practice at Dunn and Dunn.
A graduate of Suffolk University (B.A. 2004) and Suffolk University Law School (J.D. 2010) Mr. Delisi was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in November of 2010 and has handled cases throughout Massachusetts District, Superior, Appellate, and Supreme Judicial Courts. Attorney Delisi has also successfully represented individuals at the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Mr. Delisi is also admitted to practice in the State of Rhode Island, the United States District Court of Rhode Island and the United States District Court of Massachusetts.
Attorney Delisi has been recognized in Boston Magazine as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for each year from 2015-2020 and is also a graduate of the Long Term Care Power Lawyer program. Mr. Delisi was an academic all-conference varsity basketball player while at Suffolk University, a Suffolk University Law School Alumni Scholarship recipient and he served as Marshall for the 2016-2017 College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremonies. Mr. Delisi also served as the President of College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Board at Suffolk University from 2016-2018 and is presently serving on the Suffolk University Board of Trustees.
Mr. Delisi has also lectured medical students and practitioners on medical malpractice litigation at Harvard University Medical School, Brown University Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Children’s Hospital Boston, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He is a Fellow of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation and is also a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Association.
ALLYSON N. HAMMERSTEDT, ESQ.
Allyson N. Hammerstedt is a skilled attorney and seasoned litigator, having successfully defended clients in state and federal courts throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Attorney Hammerstedt focuses her practice on the representation of healthcare professionals and institutions in medical malpractice actions and before regulatory boards, agencies, and committees. Her current areas of practice also include healthcare law, product liability, privacy and HIPAA compliance, premises liability, commercial litigation, personal injury and appellate work spanning from minor to catastrophic injuries and death.
Attorney Hammerstedt has experience in all phases of litigation including pre-suit investigations, motion practice, discovery, depositions, summary judgment, trial, and appeals. She has a strong interest in and experience with alternative dispute resolution and Communication, Apology and Resolution (CARe) programs. Her time working in-house at a local academic medical center enriched her unique insight into supporting and defending the delivery of healthcare. Attorney Hammerstedt is a frequent presenter to healthcare associations, hospital committees and Grand Rounds, clinical groups and risk management programs on medicolegal matters, healthcare ethics and developing legal and regulatory issues within the healthcare space. She has also served as a guest lecturer on hospital law at New England Law | Boston. Prior to joining Dunn & Dunn, P.C. Attorney Hammerstedt worked with a local defense firm, where she focused her practice defending caregivers in malpractice actions and before regulatory boards.
Attorney Hammerstedt is a graduate of New England Law | Boston (J.D.) and The Catholic University of America (B.A.) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science with minors in Philosophy and French. She is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. In 2022, Ms. Hammerstedt completed a Fellowship in Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, which included an academic appointment in the HMS Department of Global Health and Social Medicine.
In 2018, Ms. Hammerstedt successfully argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in Polanco v. Sandor, M.D. (SJC-12389), which is the landmark decision holding that a surety bond in the face amount of the statutory requirement is not the ‘equivalent’ in cash for purposes of G.L. c. 231, §60B. The same year, she was named a Lawyer of the Year by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. In addition, she has been recognized as a “Rising Star” in Boston Magazine and New England Super Lawyers in Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice Defense based on a vote of licensed attorneys in the state and a review by an independent blue-ribbon panel.
Other reported decisions:
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Adams v. Stone, et al., 87 Mass. App. Ct. 1123; 31 N.E.3d 77 (2015) holding that an expert opinion for purposes of a medical malpractice tribunal is insufficient where the expert fails to consider the patient’s delay in seeking treatment and failure to follow providers’ recommendations for further care.
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De Gonzalez v. Harder et al., 86 Mass. App. Ct. 1107; 13 N.E.3d 1027 (2014) holding that an expert opinion for purposes of a medical malpractice tribunal is insufficient where the expert makes a generic, conclusory statement and fails to state with specificity the applicable standard of care required.
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Cote v. Roodhouse et al., 86 Mass. App. Ct. 1112; 16 N.E.3d 526 (2014) holding that an expert opinion for purposes of a medical malpractice tribunal is insufficient where the expert’s opinion is based on assumption of facts that have no roots in the evidence
PARTNER
ahammerstedt@dunnanddunn.com
PARTNER
ROBERT A HURSTAK, ESQ.
ROBERT HURSTAK is an attorney at Dunn and Dunn, P.C. Bob’s practice focuses primarily on the defense of healthcare providers in civil actions and in investigations and administrative proceedings before state and federal regulatory agencies. He also represents clients in the areas of professional liability and malpractice, premises liability, product liability, employment discrimination, and long-term care litigation. Mr. Hurstak has first and second chair jury trial experience and has acted as lead counsel at numerous arbitration proceedings and mediations. He also has been involved in numerous appeals before the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Mr. Hurstak is a 2005 graduate of the University of New Hampshire (B.A., magna cum laude) and a 2009 graduate of Suffolk University Law School (J.D., cum laude) where he was a Member of the Moot Court Honor Board and a Note Editor for the Suffolk Journal of Trial & Appellate Advocacy . He is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
In addition to his law practice, Mr. Hurstak is a licensed real estate broker and represent buyers and sellers in residential real estate transactions throughout Massachusetts.
CAROLINE LIEDER COLLITON
CAROLINE LIEDER COLLITON joined the firm of Dunn & Dunn in May, 2022 and focuses her practice in medical malpractice defense and general liability. She represents hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in malpractice claims and before state licensing boards. Prior to joining Dunn & Dunn, Ms. Colliton practiced insurance defense at a boutique Boston law firm litigating complex personal injury and premises liability claims. She is an experienced trial lawyer and has achieved numerous defense verdicts on behalf of her clients.
Ms. Colliton is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and New England Law | Boston. While in law school, she served as a legal intern for a non-profit legal services center assisting immigrants, refugees, and victims of domestic violence. She is licensed to practice in New Hampshire, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
CHRISTINE GUINEY
CHRISTINE GUINEY is an associate at Dunn & Dunn and concentrates her practice on the defense of health care professionals and facilities throughout Massachusetts in matters involving medical malpractice, personal injury, and premises liability.
Prior to focusing her practice on the representation of health care professionals, Ms. Guiney worked as a case specialist at Norfolk Superior Court, where she became an expert in civil procedure , before joining a general practice firm, representing parties involved in complex litigation in matters involving various torts and contract disputes. She is also interested in Alternative Dispute Resolution and is a Certified Conciliator. She is a member of the Massachusetts and Norfolk County Bar Associations, and volunteers her time with the Family Law Project, representing victims of domestic abuse pro bono.
Ms. Guiney is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Suffolk University Law School.
JORDAN D. SPIEGEL
JORDAN D. SPIEGEL joined the law firm of Dunn and Dunn in April of 2023. Attorney Spiegel was most recently an associate in the Boston office of Morrison Mahoney where he concentrated his practice in the areas of medical malpractice defense and represented hospitals, physicians, nurses and other health care professionals in both medical malpractice claims and Medical Board disciplinary matters.
Prior to joining Morrison Mahoney Mr. Spiegel worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. as staff counsel where he specialized in Workers’ Compensation, auto-liability, and general liability. Mr. Spiegel also has experience in the field of Social Security Disability where he has represented disabled and low-income individuals seeking disability benefits. During Mr. Spiegel’s career as a litigator, he has served as lead trial counsel on numerous trials and has achieved defense verdicts and favorable outcomes for his clients.
Mr. Spiegel graduated with a Bachelor’s from Clark University. He graduated with a Juris Doctor from New England Law (cum laude). During law school he achieved the New England Scholar Award which is given to those students in the top ten percent of their class for the academic year. Attorney Spiegel participated in an externship program at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, The Netherlands, where he was a law clerk in the Appeals Chamber, the highest appellate level of the court. During law school he also interned in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office where he was able to argue cases in open court under Judicial Rule 3:03, which allows select students to do so.
ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY
SARAH Q. LAFLEUR
SARAH Q. LAFLEUR joined Dunn and Dunn in July of 2024.
Prior to joining Dunn & Dunn, Ms. Lafleur was an associate in the Boston office of Morgan & Morgan, where she represented Plaintiffs in their personal injury and premises liability claims. Prior to her role at Morgan & Morgan, Ms. Lafleur worked for a boutique law firm in downtown Boston, focusing on personal injury, premises liability, and workers’ compensation claims.
Ms. Lafleur is a 2022 graduate of New England Law | Boston (J.D.) and a 2018 graduate of Simmons College (B.A.), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies. While at New England Law | Boston, Ms. Lafleur was involved in the Student Bar Association, serving as the Evening Division Vice President between 2019 and 2020. While attending law school in the evenings, Ms. Lafleur worked as a Legal Secretary for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., where she strengthened her understanding of the litigation process.
CHARLES J. DUNN, JR., ESQ.
CHARLES J. DUNN, JR. is a partner of the Boston law firm of Dunn and Dunn, where he specializes in medical malpractice defense litigation. He is a 1964 graduate of Boston University and graduated from New England School of Law in 1968. Mr. Dunn was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1970, and the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts and the U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit in 1974.
Prior to establishing the firm of Dunn and Dunn, Mr. Dunn was a partner in Dunn & Rogers, P.C., and an associate in the firm of Dunn, Dunn and Kane, which was founded by his late father, Charles J. Dunn, and his late uncle, John Dunn (the former Chairman of the Board of Bar Examiners). He has lectured on trial practice at the New England School of Law and Boston University. In addition, he has also lectured in Nursing Home Law at Suffolk University, and spoken before the Massachusetts Bar Association.
Mr. Dunn is also a member of the American College of Trial Attorneys who has tried hundreds of medical malpractice cases defending doctors, dentists, hospitals, nurse practitioners and nurses, as well as general liability, domestic, nursing home, and Board of Registration in Medicine, Dental and Nursing cases in his 40 years of active practice.
PARTNER
cdunn@dunnanddunn.com