HONORS AND DISTINCTIONS
:: Raymond P. D'Amante
:: Richard B. Couser
:: R. James Steiner
:: Bryan L. Pellerin
:: Gayle M. Braley
:: Roy S. McCandless, Of Counsel
Raymond P. D'Amante
Real Estate/Development/Zoning/Construction
Ray is one of twelve lawyers in the more than 4,000 member NH Bar Association identified as one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” for real estate by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers for 2005. Chambers is an independent, objective rating service whose recommendations are based on interviews with clients and other attorneys.
One of eighteen New Hampshire lawyers in the more than 4,000 member NH Bar Association as identified in “Best Lawyers in America - 2007” for real estate. “Best Lawyers in America” is a Woodward/White publication that rates lawyers independently based upon evaluation by other lawyers.
Ray is a leading practitioner in real estate transactions, development approvals and zoning and real estate matters. He has obtained land use and development approvals from local, state and federal boards and agencies for development of all types of properties valued at billions, including:
- retail
- restaurants
- office
- industrial/manufacturing/suppliers
- medical facilities
- hospital
- hotels, motels and inns
- fueling facilities
- residential development of all types
- daycare facilities
- golf courses
- ski areas
- automobile, RV camper and truck dealerships.
His practice includes construction contracts and activities representing owners, general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects and lenders. Other related areas of practice include:
- environmental and hazardous waste issues
- permitting and remediation
- brownfields
- tax abatement
- eminent domain
- condominium law
- banking and financing
- insurance and bond issues
- general municipal matters
- dispute negotiations
- alternate dispute resolutions
- litigation regarding all of the above areas.
Ray has served as an expert witness on real estate matters.
Business Organization and Representation
Ray has represented hundreds of companies creating business organizations of all types,
including banks, general business advice, purchasing, selling and merging businesses, insurance and bond issues and representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. He structures Phantom Stock Plans and other agreements to create business succession opportunities within families and among generations and key personnel within a business organization.
Financial and Estate Planning and Probate
Ray's financial and estate planning practice uses revocable and
irrevocable trusts and other methods to preserve family wealth, minimize succession taxes and provide for business succession while building financial protection during the lives of the principals. His practice includes probate of estates.
Ray serves on many public and nonprofit organizations and boards. His current community involvement includes serving as a Trustee of the New Hampshire Historical Society, a Trustee of Canterbury Shaker Village, a Corporator of Laconia Savings Bank Financial, a Director of Concord 20/20 Vision, an Incorporator of Capital Region Health Care Corporation, a Director of the Scottish Heritage Society and a Member of the Concord Rotary Club. He was nominated and attended the 50th National Security Seminary at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania in 2004.
Education: Union University, Albany Law School, Juris Doctor, June 1969; Comments Editor, Albany Law Review; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, Bachelor of Management Engineering, June 1966
Military Service: Captain, USAF/JAG: Assistant Staff Judge Advocate and Deputy Chief of the Procurement Law Division, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, McClellan Air Force Base, Sacramento, CA, Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC) Captain, USAF/JAG: Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Davis-Monthon Air Force Base, Tucson, AZ, Strategic Air Command (SAC)
Member: New Hampshire Bar Association, California Bar Association, New York Bar Association, American Bar Association, US Supreme Court, US Tax Court, US Court of Military Appeals, Various Federal Courts
