Nancy L. Ball

Shareholder/Director

Biography

After receiving her J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center in 1985, Nancy was a law clerk for the New Hampshire Superior Court. From 1986-1989, Nancy Joined the law firm of Martin, Lord and Osman in Laconia, New Hampshire, where she concentrated on family law, personal injury and civil litigation. During her tenure at Wescott, Millham and Dyer from 1989 to 1993, Nancy expanded her marital and Guardian ad Litem practice, handled several personal injury matters and represented juveniles in abuse and neglect, CHINS and delinquency cases.

Since joining Shaheen & Gordon in 2002, Nancy has concentrated on divorce, parenting, child support, guardianship and other family law matters.

Nancy has been active in non-profit organizations throughout her career, serving as a board member of the Concord Community Music School, the New Hampshire Women’s Lobby and New Hampshire Legal Assistance. She has served as a consultant to the New Hampshire Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence and was a founding member of New Beginnings, A Women’s Crisis Center. She currently serves as a panel member for the Youth Services Program, a juvenile court diversion program.

Admissions:

  • Member of the New Hampshire Bar

Career:

  • B.A., University of Pittsburgh, 1974
  • Master of Public Administration, University of Pittsburgh, 1977
  • J.D., Franklin Pierce Law Center, 1985
  • Associate, Martin, Lord and Osman, 1986-1989
  • Associate, Wescott, Millham and Dyer, 1989-1993
  • Solo practitioner and Guardian ad Litem, 1993-2000
  • Of counsel, Stein, Volinsky and Callahan, 2000-2002

Representative Cases:

  • Nancy represented a client in a divorce, in which both parties agreed from the outset to work with their counsel with the goal of avoiding acrimonious litigation. The parties had been married for thirty years, raised four children, and owned significant real estate, family antiques, and retirement and trust assets. Through a cooperative discovery and negotiation process involving the exchange of information and proposals, consultation with accountants and estate planners, and several 4-way meetings, the parties were able to share financial information and reach agreement, which met the long-term financial goals of both parties. Family assets were preserved for each party and their adult children. The real estate was both awarded and sold so that one party maintained a home and the other was able to relocate and resume a delayed career near extended family. Assets were allocated such that both parties could realize financial security in the future, taking their work and health histories into account. The parties agreed to the terms to support their youngest child’s college aspirations. The matter was resolved through counsel, and the parties then filed a joint petition for divorce.
  • The parents in a high conflict divorce agreed to equal or approximately equal parenting time with their two young children. Two years post-divorce, Mom lost her job in New Hampshire and, after an extensive job search, relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, taking the children with her a temporary basis. Nancy prevailed at the trial, and the children were returned to Dad’s primary residential care in New Hampshire.
  • Client is a stay-at-home Mom, whose husband left his employment to start a business. Client was very involved in the business also, until she learned that husband was having an affair with the children’s baby-sitter. On the eve of trial, the case was resolved with Mom remaining in the home with the young children, Dad paying child support and meeting Mom’s alimony request until the youngest child begins elementary school when client will seek employment. Based on client’s business appraisal, parties agree to a delayed payment plan whereby husband is awarded the business and pays client’s equitable interest in the business over time by paying the mortgage on the home within three years.