While providing its clients unparalleled legal services in a wide variety of disciplines, four Gravel & Shea partners have earned the honorable distinction of “Lawyer of the Year 2025” by Best Lawyers, a peer-reviewed guide to the legal profession.
Peter S. Erly, a shareholder at Gravel & Shea since 1987 and now Of Counsel, has been recognized as a Lawyer of the Year 2025 by Best Lawyers in the category of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Peter earned his B.A. from Williams College and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Peter’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, business formation representation, and investment management.
Timothy M. Eustace, a shareholder at Gravel & Shea since 2009, has been recognized as a Lawyer of the Year 2025 by Best Lawyers in the category of Litigation – Real Estate. Tim earned his B.A. from the University of Vermont and his J.D. from Vermont Law and Graduate School. Tim’s practice focuses on land use development, construction and real estate litigation matters, including permit applications and appeals, property tax appeals, boundary disputes and condemnations.
Chip Mason, a shareholder at Gravel & Shea since 2006, has been recognized as a Lawyer of the Year 2025 by Best Lawyers in the category of Corporate Law. Chip earned his B.A. from the University of Vermont and his J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law, cum laude. Chip’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisition transactions and other investment activities, including representing private equity funds, companies in debt, and equity financings.
Robert H. Rushford, a shareholder at Gravel & Shea since 2000, has been recognized as a Lawyer of the Year 2025 by Best Lawyers in the category of Real Estate Law. Bob earned his B.A. from the University of Vermont, J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, and LL.M. from Yale University. Bob’s practice focuses on land use development and real estate, providing a full range of real estate services.
Gravel & Shea would also like to congratulate the following seven lawyers named to the list of The Best Lawyers in America (2025 Edition):
- Peter S. Erly (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007) was recognized in the categories of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, and Securities Regulation.
- Timothy M. Eustace (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013) was recognized in the categories of Litigation – Real Estate.
- Michelle N. Farkas (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007) was recognized in the category of Real Estate Law.
- Heather Rider Hammond (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015) was recognized in the categories Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment.
- Robert B. Hemley (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1989) was recognized in the categories of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, First Amendment Law, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.
- Chip Mason (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013) was recognized in the categories of Corporate Governance Law and Corporate Law.
- Robert H. Rushford (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007) was recognized in the category of Real Estate Law.
In addition, Celeste E. Laramie, a shareholder at Gravel & Shea since 2022, has been recognized on the Best Lawyers: One’s to Watch in America list in both Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Litigation and Environmental Litigation. Celeste earned her B.A. from Georgetown University and her J.D. from Boston College Law School. Celeste regularly represents survivors of sexual abuse in personal injury litigation. She also handles litigation matters in a number of other practice areas, including environmental, commercial, employment and probate.
Best Lawyers is the oldest peer-reviewed publication company in the legal profession. It is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals. Best Lawyers’ list of outstanding lawyers is compiled by conducting extensive peer-review surveys in which thousands of lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.
