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HLG Team
Julie R. Hess
Julie R. Hess is the founding member of Hess Law Group, PLLC and is barred in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. HLG serves clients in every aspect of family law litigation or mediation, whichever avenue best serves the client’s needs in both MA and NH.
Practicing for more than 20 years, Attorney Hess concentrates her practice in family law, including the representation of individuals involved in some of the most difficult of life's transitions, including divorce, paternity actions, modification of judgments, custody disputes, prenuptial agreements, enforcement proceedings, and restraining orders. Attorney Hess also performs appellate work for family law cases and has a record of success either challenging or defending judgments in the Massachusetts Appeals Court.
To serve clients with the utmost quality representation, Ms. Hess draws upon her many years of litigation experience and her training as a conciliator to reach the best possible result for every client. Her analytical approach and hard-earned reputation for integrity and discretion ensures quality results, keeping the client's best interest at the forefront of her practice. Ms. Hess believes that zealous advocacy combines an understanding of the law with a creative use of intellect, negotiation, reasoned decision-making and effective implementation of experts.
Ms. Hess has been honored in 2007-2010 and 2013-2017 by being named a Rising Star in Massachusetts and New England's Super Lawyers Magazine/Boston Magazine, an honor awarded to only 2.5% of young lawyers in Massachusetts. She is also repeatedly appointed as a Discovery Master and Conciliator in the Commonwealth’s Probate & Family Courts.
Attorney Hess is admitted to practice in all courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Hampshire. Attorney Hess is a member of various Bar Associations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Attorney Hess is a certified mediator, conciliator and notary public.
Attorney Hess has been selected to the 2023 and 2024 Massachusetts Super Lawyers lists. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com.
You may reach Attorney Hess at jhess@hesslawgrp.com.
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Areas Of Practice
- Family Law - Trial Courts and Appellate Courts
- Family Law Mediation
- Child Welfare Law/DCF involvement
- Retraining Orders in District Court and Probate & Family Court
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
Education
- New England School of Law, J.D., Boston, Massachusetts
- Ball State University, B.A., cum laude, Muncie, Indiana
Published Works
- United States and Africa on FGM: Cultural Comparatives, Resolutions, and Rights, ILSA Journal of International and Comparative Law, Vol. 10, No. 3, 2004
Classes/Seminars
- Chair, "Handling Chapter 209A Domestic Violence Cases", MCLE, 2009
- Panelist, Alimony Reform, MCLE, February 2014
- Panelist, Trial Preparation & Techniques in Divorce Cases, MCLE, 2014
- Panelist, GOAL Litigation Conference, New York NY, October 2014
- Panelist, Alimony Reform, MCLE, October 2014
- Panelist, Prenuptial Agreements, MyLawCLE, Puerto Rico, 2015
- Panelist, Alimony Reform, MCLE, November 2015
- Panelist, Alimony Reform, MCLE, November 2017
- Panelist, Prenuptial Agreements, MyLawCLE, Washington, DC--live webinar and recording, 2019
Honors and Awards
- Super Lawyer designation by Massachusetts and New England's Super Lawyers Magazine/Boston Magazine, 2023
- Rising Star by Massachusetts and New England's Super Lawyers Magazine/Boston Magazine, 2007-2010, 2013-2017
- Top Women of Law, Boston Magazine, April 2014, April 2018
- ICFM 100: Leading Female Lawyer by Intercontinental Finance Magazine
- Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Bar Association, Member
- Massachusetts Bar Association, Member
- Boston Bar Association, Member
- Essex County Bar Association, Member
- MARQUIS Who's Who, Affiliation
Ryan C. Leonard
Ryan C. Leonard is a Senior Attorney at Hess Law Group, PLLC and is barred in Massachusetts. Ryan brings 17 years of experience representing family law clients in every aspect of divorce or mediation, including high-conflict divorces, complex financial issues, amicable divorces, domestic violence and restraining order cases, modifications of judgments and orders, contempt of court actions, custody disputes, paternity actions and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Attorney Leonard also represents clients needing estate planning documents including Last Will and Testaments, Durable Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxies, along with estate administration, including formal and informal probate matters, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Attorney Leonard brings a client-centric approach to his representation from his many years of solo and small firm work. Using a mix of honest communication, compassion, zealous advocacy and strategic thinking, Ryan seeks to accomplish his clients’ goals in every matter. Ryan is admitted to practice in all courts and jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Ryan is also a notary public.
When not representing clients, Ryan enjoys spending time with his thirteen year-old daughter and eight year-old son, along with Fenway, his fifteen year-old Maltese.
You can reach Attorney Leonard at
rleonard@hesslawgrp.com.
Areas Of Practice
- Family Law - Trial Courts
- Estate Planning
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts
Education
- University of New Hampshire School of Law, J.D., Concord, New Hampshire
- The College of New Jersey, B.S., Ewing, New Jersey
Published Works
- "New Hampshire Got it Right! Statutes, Case Law and Related Issues Involving Post-Secondary Education Payments and Divorced Parents." Pierce Law Review, June 2006
Classes/Seminars
- Chair, "Tax and Business Planning Fundamentals for Solo & Small Practitioners", BBA - Solo & Small Firm Section, 2012
- Volunteer, Lawyer for the Day, Middlesex Probate and Family Court, 2016-2019
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Business Networking International, BNI Plus - Boston, Member/Membership Committee
Andrew R. Silverman
Andrew R. Silverman is an Associate Attorney at Hess Law Group, PLLC and is barred in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States District Court for Massachusetts. Attorney Silverman is experienced in representing clients in all aspects of domestic matters, such as contested divorce, including those involving complex financial and custody issues, amicable divorces, child custody and visitation, guardianship and conservatorship matters, domestic violence, restraining orders. Attorney Silverman is also able to assist with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Attorney Silverman is also readily available to create wills, proxies, or estate planning.
Attorney Silverman is also significantly experienced in employment and commercial litigation and represents both business owners and employees needing assistance with numerous matters including wrongful termination, review, drafting and negotiating hiring and severance agreements, and contract suits.
When not representing clients, Andrew enjoys spending time with his son, Micah and wife, Emily. He is a life-long fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and dedicated “Dead-head”.
You can reach Attorney Silverman at ASilverman@hesslawgrp.com
Areas Of Practice
- Family Law Litigation and Estate Planning
- Employment Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts, 2015
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 2017
Education
- Juris Doctorate: New England Law | Boston – Boston, Massachusetts, 2015
- B.A.: Pennsylvania State University – University Park, Pennsylvania, 2009
Samantha Medeiros
Samantha M. Medeiros is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and Suffolk University Law School. Throughout her undergraduate work, Attorney Medeiros was a County Intern for the Juvenile Justice Bureau in Chicago, IL, where she worked alongside state prosecutors to ensure that fair and just sanctions were implemented on juvenile offenders. During law school, Attorney Medeiros was a Legal Intern for MetroWest Legal Services, where she gained experience in advocating for special education services for children and drafting health care proxies and wills. Following graduation from law school, Attorney Medeiros clerked for two successful and highly skilled family law firms in Newton, MA. Once admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Attorney Medeiros’ career in family law litigation continued; she practiced in a highly skilled environment as an associate to senior attorneys litigating in complex divorce actions, custody, and adoption matters. Attorney Medeiros can be reached via email at
associate@hesslawgrp.com or by calling our office at 857-250-2084.
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts - Admitted 2023
Education
- Suffolk University Law School, J.D., Boston, Massachusetts
- Loyola University Chicago, B.A., cun laude, Chicago, Illinois
Raven L. Mello
Attorney Mello is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law. Her passion for family law began when she interned for a firm specializing in Child Welfare and Family Defense. There, Attorney Mello gained experience in custody litigation in Care & Protection cases, defending parents and guardians in cases involving the Department of Children and Families. Attorney Mello has been with Hess Law Group continuously since working as a summer intern starting in May of 2023. Prior to law school, Attorney Mello completed her B.A. with dual majors in Psychology and Law & Society and with a minor in Women’s Studies at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the only free-standing honors college in the United States. During her undergraduate studies, Attorney Mello first gained experience working with legal clients by working as an Investigator for the Public Defender of West Palm Beach and as a Manager at a psychology office that specialized in parenting evaluations and children’s psychological evaluations for family law cases. As a result of Attorney Mello’s outstanding academic performance, she attended both the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and the Northeastern University School of Law on full scholarships. During law school, Attorney Mello has served as the Chair of the Women’s Law Caucus at NUSL and the Chair of the American Constitution Society NUSL Chapter; she has also served as the Massachusetts State Chapter Student Representative for the National Lawyers Guild in 2022. Attorney Mello is involved with the Massachusetts Family & Probate American Inn of Court, and is a member in good standing of the Junior League of Boston and of the Ray Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta. Attorney Mello is a dedicated member of the HLG legal team, handling every case with efficiency, dedication, and compassion. She can be reached via email at
associate3@hesslawgrp.com or by calling our office at 857-250-2084.
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Child Welfare Law/DCF involvement/CRA
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
Education
- Northeastern School of Law, J.D., Boston, Massachusetts
- Florida Atlantic University, B.A., cum laude, Jupiter, Florida
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Bar Association, Member
- Massachusetts Bar Association, Member
- Boston Bar Association, Member
Juliet L. Miechkowski
Juliet L. Miechkowski is a graduate of Clemson University, where she earned her degree in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies and she actively participated in the Criminal Justice Club. Her interest in the legal field began at a prominent family law firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, where her commitment to client service and justice blossomed. Inspired by her experiences, she furthered her legal passion by working at a reputable trust and estates law firm in Greenville, South Carolina. There, Ms. Miechkowski deepened her understanding of family related legal matters. Her educational and professional journey reflects her unwavering dedication to serving clients with grace and proficiency. She can be reached via email at admin@hesslawgrp.com or by calling our office
at 857-250-2084."
Career Opportunities at HLG
We are always seeking team players here at HLG. If you are interested in working with us, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Currently, HLG is seeking to fill two positions:
Associate attorney having five to seven years of experience in family law. You will have the opportunity to grow in your career with very hands-on practical experience, as well as working with a team of professionals in downtown Boston. A competitive salary and benefits will be discussed in person.
Paralegal having at least one to three years of experience in litigation. You will have the opportunity to grow in your career with very hands-on practical experience, as well as working with a team of professionals in downtown Boston. A competitive salary and benefits will be discussed in person.
Please email Julie R. Hess your resume and cover letter at jhess@hesslawgrp.com
Free Consultation
Sound legal advice is based on years of training, hard work, and passion, as well as familiarity with legislation and precedent and sound consideration. You will find all that and more at Hess Law Group, PLLC.
Contact info
Hess Law Group, PLLC
92 State Street, 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
(857) 250-2084
JHess@hesslawgrp.com