Ralphine N. O'Rourke

I am a partner and I have been with the firm since 1999. I specialize in helping people with their workers’ compensation and personal injury claims because I find it personally rewarding to help an injured person get the benefits they deserve, and to hold an insurance company accountable. I understand that having an injury can be very difficult and I know that insurance companies often do not treat people fairly. My clients like me because I am passionate about their claims and I don&rs...

A.J. LaRosa is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning and Litigation - Real Estate. A.J., who practices law in Burlington, Vermont, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which A.J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

I have been practicing law in Vermont since 1979 and am a founding partner of the firm. I take great satisfaction in fighting for injured workers or accident victims who are being treated unfairly by insurance companies. Before starting my legal career, I worked in many different job settings. I was a schoolteacher, hospital aide, factory worker, construction laborer, and farm hand. I understand the difficulties that face workers in these different job sites, and the problems that arise when ...

Bob Rushford was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1988 and is based in Burlington, Vermont. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Albert W. Coffrin of the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont from 1988 to 1989. Following his clerkship, Bob practiced with a general practice firm that emphasized land use development and real estate law. Bob joined Gravel & Shea PC in 1996 and became a partner in 2000. His practice is concentrated in Real Estate Law, with an emph...

Chris Maley has extensive experience in the area of medical malpractice and personal injury. A native of Burlington, Vermont, Chris has obtained notable results for his clients, including: Resolved a medical malpractice case involving the alleged failure to appropriately diagnose and treat a 42-year-old woman's severe lower extremity injury resulting in catastrophic harm for in excess of three and a half million dollars. Resolved a wrongful death motor vehicle accident claim for $1,800,000. $...

Tina L. Shoup is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Tina L., who practices law in Burlington, Vermont, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tina L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael I. Green is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Michael I., who practices law in Burlington, Vermont, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert Hemley was admitted to the bar in 1971 in New York. After beginning his legal career at a Wall Street firm and serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, he joined Gravel & Shea PC in 1976. He is based in Burlington, Vermont, where he has practiced law for decades representing individuals and businesses in complex legal matters. During his long tenure at Gravel & Shea PC, Mr. Hemley has handled a wide range of cases, including Bet-...

Heather Rider Hammond joined Gravel & Shea PC in Burlington, Vermont as an associate in 2001 after graduating from Vermont Law School. She has served as co-managing partner since 2020 and works closely with employers across a wide range of industries. Her practice focuses on Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment, advising organizations throughout the employment relationship. Heather represents corporate clients in employment-related matters before s...

Michelle Farkas is a real estate attorney with Gravel & Shea PC in Burlington, Vermont. Her practice centers on Real Estate Law, with a focus on complex commercial real estate transactions for developers and non-institutional investors throughout Vermont. Michelle represents clients in all stages of real estate acquisition, development, and financing, including matters involving zoning and land use approvals. She regularly assists with the formation, development, and ongoing management of...