About DangerLaw

Attorney Deborah Danger

View bio page here >

Professional Experience

• Deborah concentrates on Wills, Trusts, Gifting, Closely Held Business Succession Planning, and the Preservation of Family Assets and Vacation Homes. Deborah’s practice also includes protecting people whose capacity and capabilities are decreasing and who need help transitioning to living with more support. She does this through family mediation, and by acting as an agent, trustee or fiduciary for clients who prefer for a trusted professional to oversee the management of their affairs, rather than a friend or family member.
• Prior to forming DangerLaw, LLC, Deborah co-founded a multi-state law practice with another attorney. Now, at DangerLaw, Deborah’s practice is contained within Massachusetts and her primary focus is asset protection within the realm of Estate and Estate Tax Planning.
• Deborah loves to travel and has been to China, Russia, The Netherlands, Curaçao, Chile, Argentina, Canada, England, Wales, Germany, Belgium, Panama, Mexico, Belize, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.  She has visited some of these places for pleasure and others to study cross-cultural impacts on entrepreneurship.  These experiences help her to look at things less conventionally and to break down obstacles that prevent forward momentum.  The more unconventional the problem or proposal, the more eager she is to dissect and identify solutions to it.
• Before practicing law, Deborah leveraged her interest in entrepreneurship to develop an expertise in tax advantaged real estate.  She advised developers, banks, investors and city and town governments in structuring low-income housing developments.  Deborah also studied tax law at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. with authors of tax laws, policies and regulations that she now considers when preparing Estate Plans and Divorce Settlement agreements.
• Deborah is a tax attorney who focuses on maximizing the benefits her clients can enjoy from their hard-won assets.  She also wants you to know she has a sense of humor.  She discounts her fee by 5% for any and all clients who make her laugh…and that’s not hard to do.

Accomplishments

• Named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer and Rising Star in the Estate Planning and Probate category 
• Honored among Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Top Women of Law 2020
• Featured/quoted in Boston Business Journal, Chicago Tribune, New England Board of Higher Education, NewsCenter 5 and Radioentrepreneurs.com

Admitted to Practice

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• District of Columbia (Inactive)
• U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• U.S. Tax Court

Outside of DangerLaw

• Deborah believes in giving back to the community.  She was the volunteer coordinator for the National Lawyers’ Guild and the Massachusetts Bail Fund.  Most recently, she galvanized attorneys to travel to police precincts where Black Lives Matters protesters were being held– ensuring their release and providing them with masks, snacks and water.
• Deborah likes trying new things.  She has taken surfing lessons, attempted to learn Mandarin, ridden her bike from Boston to Provincetown in the PanMass Challenge, and enjoys Ballroom Dancing. Her latest passion is playing the ukulele.  Despite these adventures, she prefers walking her dog along Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester, hanging with friends and listening to crime focused podcasts.
• If Deborah weren’t a lawyer, she would… organize closets.  “No neglected nook would neutralize my notion that nearly every napkin and knee sock navigates more easily in neighborly neatness than nefarious neglect,” says Deborah. “I follow the same steps to clean my house as I do to navigate a successful legal transaction.  Each needs time to identify the chores, thought to organize the tasks into an efficient and effective order and finally, effort to execute the plan, usually with input from those who are impacted by the outcome.  In between, occasional tidying is required to prevent total chaos from taking over.  It takes a bit of work, but helping clients keep their legal affairs clean, tidy, up to date and effective almost smells lemony fresh, and I find that rewarding.”

Education

• Georgetown University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.)
• Babson College F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
• Suffolk University Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.)
• Georgetown University Law Center, Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.)

Pronouns
She/her/hers 

Contact

Office: 617-789-4511
deborah@dangerlaw.com

Read Deborah’s blog posts here >

Attorney and Director of Marketing Amanda J. Shuman

View bio page here >

Professional Experience

• Amanda is a skilled litigator, trained mediator, and is certified in the Collaborative Law Process, focusing her practice on all areas of family law and small business advising. 
• Amanda firmly believes that the court is a tool rather than a weapon.  Putting contested issues before a judge for feedback while moving the case forward procedurally often allows clients to amicably resolve their disputes without a full trial.  Amanda is results oriented, always striving to get her clients a durable agreement.
• Amanda is passionate about helping women entrepreneurs succeed. As an Advisory Board member with the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) Central Massachusetts, she has held office hours, taught in-person classes and webinars, and mentored a graduate of CWE’s business planning course. She also serves as an on-call “ask an Expert” for wiseHer, Inc., an online platform that connects entrepreneurs with experts, mentors, and coaches to help them with their business. 
• Amanda’s latest initiative is a TV show on Ashland Community Media (WACA) to help individuals “find their superpowers,” whether starting their own businesses or remaking their lives after divorce. 
• Before attending law school, Amanda worked as a Paralegal at Brand & Associates (now Brand & Tapply, LLC), a complex civil litigation and insurance defense firm in Wellesley, MA.
• After law school, Amanda was the Business Development Specialist and General Counsel to Eyetechs, Inc., a consulting firm serving the ophthalmology industry.
• Amanda also served as a peer mentor at the Justice Bridge Legal Center, a nonprofit organization which focuses on providing affordable legal services and equal access to justice for those not otherwise served by the overtaxed legal aid system. Amanda is proud to have worked with Justice Bridge since the organization opened its doors in 2014, first as an attorney accepting referrals from the organization and later as a mentor to other attorneys.
• Prior to joining DangerLaw in May 2016, Amanda ran her own solo practice in Newton, focusing primarily on complex family law matters.

Accomplishments

• Named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer and Rising Star in Family Law for 2020 & 2021
• Featured/quoted in US News & World Report, wiseHer, Fit Small Business and Smallbizdaily and as a Staples small business podcast guest
• Featured presenter for Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE), American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA) and wiseHer
• Coauthor of a chapter on Recordkeeping and Electronic Medical Records for Principles and Practice in Ophthalmic Assisting: A Comprehensive Textbook, published in 2018

Professional and Community Associations

• Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Leadership Academy Fellow, 2017-2018
• Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) Central Massachusetts Advisory Board
• Boston Bar Association

Admitted to Practice

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• State of Rhode Island (inactive)
• United States District Court, District of Massachusetts

Outside of DangerLaw

In her spare time, Amanda enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking and refinishing furniture.

Education

• University of Pittsburgh, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science and English Writing
• University of Massachusetts School of Law, Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Pronouns

She/her/hers 

Contact

Office:  (617) 340-3231 x 4
amanda@dangerlaw.com

Read Amanda’s blog posts here >

Attorney Annika Bockius-Suwyn

View bio page here >

Professional Experience

• Annika concentrates her practice on estate planning and probate, with a special focus on members of the LGBTQIA+ community. She also has in-depth experience in family law.
• Annika is an expert at cutting through the red tape to help every LGBTQIA+ client access their rights. Having served as a law clerk gives her a tremendous advantage in understanding how to navigate processes and bureaucracy. Whether that means shielding same-sex couples in the process of adopting from affidavits that are no longer required, or tracking documentation from mail room to final signatures, she is a hands-on advocate for everyone she represents.
• Annika studied law at Boston University, focusing on diverse areas such as assisted reproductive technology (ART), mediation, and the evolving rights of LGBTQ families. While in law school, Annika worked as a Rule 3:03 Student Attorney at BU’s Civil Litigation Clinic and was a founding member of the BU Family Law Association.
• Before joining DangerLaw in June 2016, Annika served two terms as a Law Clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (in Worcester, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties), where she researched complex legal issues and drafted judgments and findings in some of the busiest counties in the Commonwealth.
• Following her clerkship, Annika worked as an associate at Wilson Marino & Bonnevie, PC in Newton, MA, assisting on residential real estate closings, domestic relations litigation, and adoptions.

Accomplishments

• Named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer and Rising Star in Estate Planning and Probate for 2019, 2020, and 2021.
• Co-chair of the GLAD Spirit of Justice Dinner/Celebration for 2019, 2020, and 2021–the most important fund-raiser to advance the organization’s groundbreaking victories for the LGBTQ community. 

Professional and Community Associations

• GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) Board of Directors (2021 – Present)
• Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, Board of Directors (2018 – present), Co-Chair (2019 – 2022)
• Massachusetts Parentage Act Coalition (2021 – present)
• Jewish Big Brothers and Big Sisters LGBTQ+ Steering Committee Member (2021)

Admitted to Practice

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Outside of DangerLaw

• Annika cares deeply about giving back to the community, a drive she currently channels into supporting GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).
• Having spent a semester in Buenos Aires, Annika speaks conversational Spanish.
• Annika enjoys spending time with her wife and their small dogs Remy and Mac, especially while watching the Philadelphia Eagles (Fly, Eagles, Fly!). Annika is also an ordained minister (so she can marry people as well as get them divorced).

Education

• Swarthmore College, Bachelor of Arts with High Honors in History, Minor in Spanish Literature (BA)
• Boston University School of Law, Juris Doctor (JD)

Pronouns

She/her/hers 

Contact

Office: (617) 340-3231 x 3
annika@dangerlaw.com

Read Annika’s blog posts here >

Attorney Jessica Putney

View bio page here >

Education:

• Siena College Bachelor’s (BA) in Psychology, Minor in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies
• New England Law | Boston, Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Prior to Danger Law:

• Prior to joining Danger Law, Jessica was a full-time student. During her undergraduate studies she spent her spare time working as a Teaching Assistant at a school for children with various Diagnoses and Neurodivergences.
• Jessica has interned at an education law firm on IEP and services case, as well as at the Clinical Law Center at New England Law | Boston.

Admitted to Practice:

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Outside of Danger Law:

• In her spare time, Jessica enjoys walking her dog Athena, trying new recipes, and reading.
• She also enjoys visiting her family in Upstate New York as often as possible.

Pronouns:

• She/Her/Hers

Contact:

• jessica@dangerlaw.com

Attorney Rebecca Ryan

View bio page here

Professional Experience

Attorney Rebecca Ryan is a highly skilled litigator, conciliator and negotiator. For the past 22 years she has devoted her expertise solely to the area of family law. From 2001 to 2022, Rebecca worked side-by-side with Attorney Gina Ghioldi on all her firm’s cases. Before that, Rebecca worked in the area of commercial collections litigation.

Rebecca zealously represents clients going through the divorce process (amicable and contentious divorces, as well as divorces that fall somewhere in the middle).  Her talent and success in resolving the most difficult of cases was recognized by the Probate and Family Court justices, who asked her to serve as both a court-appointed conciliator and ARK attorney. 

In addition to divorce, Rebecca represents clients in other family law matters such as post-divorce modifications, contempt actions, paternity cases and removal actions.  She has extensive experience working on family law cases that involve high-wage earners, closely held businesses, removal actions and significant family wealth/inheritance. Rebecca is especially passionate about working with clients going through the divorce process whose cases involve children who have intellectual, emotional, developmental and/or learning disabilities, or a spouse that suffers from mental illness, addiction and/or substance abuse.  

Accomplishments

Appointed as Conciliator by Middlesex Probate and Family Court 

Appointed as ARC Attorney by Middlesex Probate and Family Court 

Appointed as Discovery Master by Middlesex Probate and Family Court

Lawyer for the Day in Norfolk County

Professional and Community Associations:

Massachusetts Bar Association

Middlesex Bar Association

Admitted to Practice

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1996

United States District Court, District of Massachusetts 1996

Outside of DangerLaw

Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband, their three children, and her dog CoCo.  She also enjoys entertaining friends and family, cooking, traveling, and reading a good book on the beach in Gloucester. and guiding people to resolution on all family-related 

Education

Boston University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science 1993 

New England Law, Juris Doctor (J.D.) 1996

Pronouns

She/her/hers

Attorney Gina M. Ghioldi

View bio page here

Attorney Gina Ghioldi is the founding partner of The Law Office of Gina M. Ghioldi, P.C., a boutique family law firm located in Lexington, Massachusetts, as well as Of Counsel to DangerLaw, LLC, located in Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts.

She is a graduate of Simmons College and Suffolk University Law School. Gina has been practicing law in Massachusetts since 1995, and has extensive experience in negotiation and litigation.  She is also a trained mediator.

For over 25 years, Gina has been advocating for and guiding people to resolution on all family-related matters such as divorce, paternity, post-divorce modifications (custody/parenting/relocation/child support/alimony) and disputes regarding care of elderly parents, disabled family members and family business relationships. Gina has extensive expertise handling family law matters that involve closely held businesses, inheritance, addiction, mental illness and children who have intellectual, emotional, developmental and/or learning disabilities. She also has helped countless families with asset protection, estate planning, and related matters.

Attorney Ghioldi receives many client referrals from other attorneys, financial advisors, mental health care professionals and clergy.  She works with a close network of colleagues who also specialize in domestic relations and estate planning/probate and trust administration, as well as other areas of law including business, real estate, personal injury and criminal law, and is often called upon to provide qualified and trusted referrals.

Prior to becoming an attorney and founding her firm, Gina worked for both large and small companies in sales and marketing. Her business acumen, legal expertise and experience as a business owner provide the basis for her to act as a strategist for her clients, and to assist these clients in meeting their personal and financial goals.

Attorney Ghioldi has been an on-air contributor to New England Cable News (NECN), covering consumer and other topical legal issues. In addition to appearing on television, Gina co-hosted the nationally syndicated live call-in radio show Money Matters Afternoon Edition and was a recurring guest on Money Matters Radio Morning Edition, during which she answered questions and provided listeners with information about divorce, asset protection and family/relationship matters. Gina served a legal consultant for The Support Committee for Battered Women and was Vice President of Finance and Administration on the Board of Directors of New England Women Business Owners. Gina has been a guest lecturer for many organizations and has been honored by numerous community organizations for her accomplishments and dedication to empowering people by educating them about the law.

Gina is also an advocate for children with special needs, working to ensure they have access to the services that will allow them to lead independent, productive and fulfilling lives.

Attorney Michael E. Balletto

View bio page here>

Professional Experience

Attorney Michael Balletto is a highly experienced litigator.  He has resided in Massachusetts for his entire life, and attended college and law school here. He has deep connections to the communities of Massachusetts, and understands the peculiarities and challenges of living here.  Michael practices in all areas of family law, including divorce, custody, paternity, support, and guardianship, as well as cases involving child welfare.

Throughout his lengthy and extensive practice, Michael has also represented clients in real estate, bankruptcy, criminal, personal injury, and genera civil litigation matters. He believes that this broad range of experience provides a unique perspective which benefits his clients.

Michael is able to navigate his clients though the often confusing and frustrating litigation process with his extensive knowledge and experience. He is able and willing to litigate the most highly contentious matters, while also recognizing and promoting the benefits of compromise and negotiation.

Admissions

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Federal District Court for the District to Massachusetts

Outside DangerLaw

Michael can often be found camping in the great outdoors. He reads extensively, and is never too far from a good book. He also enjoys trying to golf, and being an uncle to his several nieces and nephews.

Education

Stonehill College, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History and Political Science.

New England School of Law, Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

Attorney Sean Downing

View bio page here>

Education

• Vassar College, Bachelors in Arts (B.A.) in Mathematics and German Studies
• Boston University School of Law, Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Admitted to Practice

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• State of Rhode Island

Prior to joining DangerLaw

• Before attending law school, Sean worked in publishing for graduate-level mathematics books and journals.
• During law school, Sean worked as a legal clerk and practiced as an SJC Rule 3:03 Student Attorney representing indigent clients.
• Sean also worked as a legal intern for DangerLaw during his second and third years of law school, focusing on estate planning and probate.

Outside of DangerLaw

• In his spare time, Sean enjoys playing video games, writing poetry, and reading LGBTQ+ inclusive literature.
• Sean has been an avid dancer his entire live, performing and competing in Irish Step Dancing, and performing ballroom, swing and fire spinning. He passed his certification test to teach Irish Step Dancing in 2019.

Kerry Reilly, Esq.

View bio page here>

Kerry has heard many people say “they didn’t believe they had sufficient assets to warrant getting an estate plan.”

Do you have a bank account, a pet, a car, a retirement account, a new house?  Congratulations, you have an estate!

There is no “required minimum” for creating an estate plan.  Money is just ONE asset that can be managed within an estate plan…it need not be the reason for the plan.

Kerry deeply believes in helping her clients “leave love behind, not logistics” (CBS Sunday Morning Quote – Amy Pickard, creator of Good to Go). Ultimately estate planning is just that – A PLAN!  Think of it like your “out of office memo.”   It’s a mechanism to ensure that people of YOUR CHOICE can act on your behalf (and/or your family’s behalf) when you can’t.  Money is just one aspect of this, others are health care decisions for you, making sure your business carries on, making sure your family can carry on financially and health-wise. 

Education:

• Rosemont College, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English
• Suffolk University Sawyer School of Business (M.B.A.)
• Suffolk University Law School (J.D.)

Admitted to Practice

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Prior to Joining Danger Law

• 15-year career at Fidelity Investments in a variety of client facing and operational roles
• After law school Kerry worked in the securities industry as in-house counsel for several  bank and private wealth management mutual funds (writing prospectuses, etc.)
• For the last 6+ years Kerry has her own firm – K. Reilly Law – where she focused her planning on the 99%.

Outside of Danger Law

• Member of the Massachusetts Bar Association & its Probate Council
• Speaker for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE New England)
• Former member of the Boston Bar Association and former co-Chair of the Taxation Committee
• Traveling (12 countries so far, not including the US)
• A good book on the beach

Samantha Medeiros, Paralegal

View bio page here>

Education

• Loyola University Chicago Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice and Psychology.
• Suffolk University Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Prior to joining DangerLaw

• During college, Samantha interned for the Cook County Clerk’s office of Illinois where she helped aid and assist prosecutors.
• During law school, Samantha worked as a legal intern for MetroWest Legal Services in the special education and housing units.
• Prior to joining DangerLaw in September of 2022, Samantha was a paralegal for Zuckerman Law Group, PC, which specializes in Family Law.

Outside of DangerLaw:

• In her spare time, Samantha enjoys going for walks and runs.
• She also enjoys spending time with her beloved family and friends.

Lauren Pendley, Paralegal

View bio page here >

Education

• University of Georgia, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Criminal Justice 
• Georgia State University, Juris Doctor (J.D.) 

Prior to joining DangerLaw

• Prior to DangerLaw, Lauren worked in a Georgia law office focusing on Estate Planning and Probate, where she enjoyed assisting clients in caring for their loved ones. 
• In management roles at establishments selling books and antiques, Lauren prided herself on being a problem solver and forging excellent relationships with antique dealers and customers.

Outside of DangerLaw

• In her spare time, Lauren enjoys creating with yarn, paper, and thread.  
• She considers herself a “super nerd” and loves video games, costume design, and comic books.

Contact

lauren@dangerlaw.com
617-340-3231 x 8
she/her/hers

Robbie Fontaine, Information Manager

View bio page here >

Education

• Emmanuel College, Bachelor of Arts (B. A.) in Mathematics

Prior to DangerLaw

• Prior to joining DangerLaw, Robbie honed their attention to detail and interpersonal skills as part of a shipping team for precision cutting tools.
• With a passion for math and experience in customer service, Robbie is happy to help organize and maintain systems to increase efficiency both internally and externally.

Outside of DangerLaw

• In their spare time, Robbie enjoys playing co-operative and competitive video games with friends.
• Robbie also loves going to conventions, listening to podcasts, and supporting their friends’ creative endeavors.

Pronouns:  they/them/theirs

Bruce

View bio page here >

Education:

Studied Obedience under many qualified instructors and is self-taught in making people laugh and interrupting Zoom calls.

Prior to joining DangerLaw:

Bruce fulfilled numerous responsibilities at home. Primarily greeting the mailman who deposited treats in the slot along with letters and packages and barking at the UPS man who did not.  Bruce also spent time monitoring the perimeter of the yard for odiferous trespassers.  In his current role at DangerLaw, Bruce attends meetings and also makes house-calls as needed.

Outside of DangerLaw:

Bruce enjoys eating treats, hanging out with humans and sitting in the sun. Although it sounds like a cliché, he also enjoys long walks on the beach, watching the sunset while perched on a grassy knoll and indulging in marrow bones and socializing with other Australian Shepherds.

“If I wasn’t working here I’d… spend my time patrolling the Public Garden for squirrels.  Despite two years of dedicated squirrel chasing volunteer work, I have only caught two.  They were both very young and inexperienced.  I let them go unharmed because as everyone knows…the point of it all is to chase, not to catch.”