Beverly, MA

Gene R. Libby

Gene has a rich history of litigation experience over the last 30 years. He has tried over 100 civil and criminal jury cases to verdict. His practice focuses on a wide variety of civil and criminal litigation representing individuals and small businesses, including divorce, real estate disputes, small business litigation, elder law, personal injury, professional negligence and criminal defense. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2003 and named a New England Super Lawyer by his peers. In 2010, he was named one of the top 100 Maine trial lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association. He is rated by his peers AV® Preeminent (5 of 5), the highest rating available from Martindale-Hubbell, the country’s oldest and most respected legal directory. Gene served as District Attorney for York County between 1981-85. He continues to serve York County as General Counsel to the York County Commissioners and all County departments (Deeds, Probate, Sheriff, Corrections) since 1998. He has undertaken numerous high profile divorce cases representing doctors, lawyers and corporate executives. He successfully litigated the first Maine divorce case to interpret the State’s 1999 marital property statute. Warner v. Warner, 2002 ME 156, 807 A.2d 603. Gene has thirty years of experience in litigating a diverse mix of civil and criminal cases. Developing his original trial expertise as District Attorney, Gene now also devotes his time to a variety of litigation matters. He gained early notoriety after leaving public office by successfully challenging, in a case of first impression, the introduction of DNA identification evidence. This was only the second time nationally DNA evidence had been successfully challenged. The case, Maine v. McLeod, was featured in a number of national publications including, The American Bar Journal, Science Magazine,Nature Magazine, The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA),Criminal Practice Manual. Gene’s cross examination of the state’s forensic expert has been used as a model in the permanent edition of the BNA Criminal Practice Manual entitled, “Cross Examination of Experts.” Gene has also represented a diverse group of business clients including The Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Charities of Maine and York County Government. His successes include: Boy Scouts of America-in state counsel for all litigation matters; successful defense of several sexual misconduct allegations in state and federal courts, SCA v. Boy Scouts of America, Docket No. CV-02-157-PC; J. H. v. Boy Scouts of America, Docket No. CV-00-45-PH. Catholic Charities Maine-successfully challenged the City of Portland’s Domestic Partnership’s Ordinance establishing that the Ordinance could not regulate ERISA controlled health benefits; Catholic Charities Maine v. City of Portland, Docket No. 03-CV-55-PH (first and only case to interpret and apply IRC 410(d)). York County-successfully represented County in high visibility challenge by Judge of Probate to hold County Treasurer in contempt of court, York County Register v. York County Probate Court, et. al., 2004 ME 58, 847 A.2d 395. In 2001 Mr. Libby won a self-defense acquittal for his client charged with murdering an individual using a baseball bat. In 2003 Mr. Libby successfully represented a former State Police Officer charged with arson of his restaurant. He has spoken nationally at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers on cross examination of experts and is a frequent speaker in Maine on a diverse group of legal topics. Mr. Libby also represents severely injured clients in personal injury matters. He settled a million dollar case for a minor who lost his thumb when a tree limb fell on him while on the school playground.

Michael E. Saucier

Michael joined Libby O’Brien Kingsley and Champion, LLC as a trial lawyer with extensive experience at the federal, state and county level, including over 100 jury trials and 60 appellate cases before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He is a fellow in the American Board of Trial Advocates, a group certifying members with significant trial experience and high ethical standards. Michael practiced in the Maine Attorney General’s Office, Criminal Division, and in the York County, Maine District Attorney’s Office prior to entering private practice. Michael’s practice has included civil rights defense of police officers and municipal officials, and state, county and local entities and school administrative districts. His areas of expertise have included the successful defense of employment practices, discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, and the defense of municipal ordinances, road reconstruction litigation, planning board appeals and property takings claims. He also handles product liability matters, specialty health care matters before state licensing boards and state and federal courts, and toxic tort and environmental cases, including asbestos litigation. Michael has given presentations on various topics in employment liability, including retaliation, discrimination based on age, disability and pregnancy, and an employee’s use of medical marijuana, as well as civil rights and municipal liability and evidentiary issues. Michael recently ended a nine-year service (the maximum three consecutive three-year terms) on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence. He is the co-author of the Commentary to the Maine Juvenile Code, Vol. 8 Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (1980). He recently authored “Qualified Immunity for Private Actions” which appeared in For the Defense, the publication of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) in July 2014. He has served as the Chair of the Committee to Monitor the Implementation of the Juvenile Code, the Maine Criminal Law Advisory Commission, and the Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group. Michael has also served as the National Chair of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, Washington D.C. In 1996, he received the Award of Excellence in Law from the Boston College Alumni Association.

David M. Gabriel

Attorney David M. Gabriel is an experienced family law attorney and litigator. David has been representing individuals and families throughout Massachusetts for over three decades in: Family law matters including divorce, complex and high asset property division, alimony modifications, high conflict child custody disputes, and divorce mediation. Criminal defense charges including assault and domestic violence, and drunk driving an DUI/ OUI charges. Personal Injury claims involving car accidents, premises liability, negligent security,and workplace injuries. Attorney Gabriel’s decades of litigation experience have afforded him with a mature perspective in handling legal matters in and out of the court room. He knows that the treacherous waters of a court room may prove unbearably harsh to the inexperienced or the unwary. Attorney Gabriel has developed excellent trial skills over the years and is extremely knowledgeable concerning the law and rules of evidence. This is the hallmark of a skilled litigator. David represents clients in court on a daily basis. He is adept at navigating through the probate, district and superior court systems and and is well respected in the legal community among his peers, judges and court personnel. David and his team understand the necessity of extensive preparation and how preparation translates to a position of strength at trial and throughout the negotiation process. David and his team are committed to representing clients to the best of their ability and to providing quality legal services to the community. David is described by clients and peers as knowledgeable, thorough, diligent and passionate. David’s role as your personal advocate extends far beyond the court room. He is present with you each step of the way; guiding you through the process, listening to your concerns and ensuring that your voice and your perspective is heard. No concern is too big or too small. David and his team recognize that clients are often in crisis and require compassion, understanding and guidance. David and his team take the time to keep his client’s informed throughout the process. David and his team are experienced in working with experts in various fields in preparation for trial and settlement negotiations, including certified public accountants, business appraisers, pension appraisers, actuaries, vocational experts, economists, security experts, real estate appraisers, psychologists, physicians, chiropractors and nurses. David has had the pleasure of speaking at a number of educational and informative engagements dealing with litigation, alimony, divorce, and custody and asset valuation. Attorney Gabriel is a member of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, the Greater Newburyport Bar Association, and the Essex County Bar Association where he has served as a member for more than a decade. He is also a trained, certified mediator, as well as a Guardian ad litem (GAL Investigator / Evaluator) in Massachusetts, and is licensed to practice law in the U.S. Virgin Islands. David served as a member of the Essex County, Suffolk County, Worcester County and the Middlesex County Bar Advocates for almost two decades, dedicating his time and efforts to the less fortunate members of our community in need of legal assistance. He has published on such matters as divorce, mediation, and alimony reform. David prides himself on his professional, insightful approach to analyzing and exploring each and every possible angle of your case. He employs an honest, sensible approach to handling each case. He treats each case as if it were his own case. Attorney Gabriel delivers results.

Brian L. Champion

Brian L. Champion is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia in Washington D.C. He is also admitted to The First Circuit Court of Appeals and The United States Supreme Court. Mr. Champion believes that the caring for one’s family and loved ones begins with careful and thoughtful planning. Besides planning for one’s death, careful planning includes advanced preparation for periods of potential incapacity, whether caused by an accident, disease or illness. The best way for one to do so is to have in place, at a minimum, a will, a durable power of attorney, and a health care directive or proxy. Mr. Champion works closely with clients to understand their concerns, thoughts, and desires so that the client and their families are prepared to meet life’s challenges. Mr. Champion represents individuals, trustees, and personal representatives in the administration of trusts and estates. He is also a member of the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine Trust & Estate Bar Sections. Mr. Champion is very aware the nearly 10,000 people turn 65 daily. This means, of course, there is a fast-growing Senior population who find themselves ill-equipped to address important and necessary legal issues. These issues often include needing a Will, or updating an old Will that no longer suits one’s needs. Also, many discover that they have not planned ahead to have someone help with things like paying their bills, or monitoring their bank account statements. This issue can easily be corrected by drawing up a Durable Power of Attorney, whereby a named agent can be authorized to act in place of the client. Lastly, all too often Seniors find themselves without someone designated to make health care and medical decisions for them, when they may not be capable of making them on their own. This problem is also easily solved ahead of time, by having drawn up a Medical Healthcare Proxy, or Health Care Directive. Mr. Champion assists his clients with all of these important issues. He does so by working closely with the client and listening carefully to their wishes. He then draws up the necessary documents, explains them to the client, and then has them property signed, witnessed, and notarized. Families often have their own small-to-medium-sized businesses. Mr. Champion assists them in forming limited liability companies or maybe a more traditional corporation to help protect and preserve their businesses. He prepares the necessary papers to file with the state, prepares by-laws for governance of the business, prepares buy-sell agreements to keep control over the client’s business, and transfers assets into and out of trusts. Clients often seek Mr. Champion’s assistance in preparing premarital agreements. Although Mr. Champion does not litigate cases, he works with litigators within the firm should someone require assistance in a court matter. Mr. Champion and Libby O’Brien Kingsley & Champion take pride in assisting their clients, including Seniors, by working through all of these issues with them, and by providing personalized and specialized attention to each and every client. We are a unique law firm in that we truly do care for each and every one of our clients.

Matthew A. Rubner

Matthew A. Rubner is an attorney known for his unwavering dedication to defending clients' rights and his reputation as a skilled litigator. He gained experience at a large firm specializing in social security and personal injury law before establishing his own client-centered practice. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Florida, the Supreme Court of the United States, and several U.S. District Courts.

Tara’s practice focuses on civil and criminal litigation in a wide variety of cases including family law, employment law, property disputes, personal injury and criminal defense. Tara joins the firm after having spent the past two years serving as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Joseph M. Jabar, Associate Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. She is admitted to practice in both Maine and Massachusetts.

Timothy J. O’Brien

Timothy J. O’Brien has over 30 years of litigation experience. As a former prosecutor and in the course of his work in civil litigation, he has tried numerous cases before judges and juries. His practice focuses on employment and collegiate sports law issues. Mr. O’Brien advises colleges, universities, athletic department administrators, SWA’s, coaches, student-athletes, attorneys, and individuals on topics including Title IX, pay equity, sexual violence, harassment, hazing, NCAA rules compliance, eligibility, coaches’ compensation, disability discrimination issues, and the restructuring of athletics departments. He conducts audits and provides training for institutions and conferences on all sports and employment law subjects. He conducts investigations into alleged misconduct by coaches, staff members, and student-athletes. He has participated in and moderated programs for the ABA, the NCAA, athletic conferences and educational institutions on many sports law topics involving athletic departments. He is a co-author of the NCAA’s gender equity manual, Gender Equity in Collegiate Athletics, and also Managing Legal Issues in College Athletics. He is the individual or co-author of numerous other articles on collegiate sports law issues and serves on the advisory panel of Campus Legal Advisor, a national publication that addresses the full range of legal issues arising on college and university campuses. Based on his years of involvement with Title IX issues, he serves as an expert witness in litigation cases containing Title IX claims. Mr. O’Brien also regularly handles a wide variety of employment issues including wrongful termination and discrimination claims, harassment claims, wage and hour claims, non-competition matters, theft or misappropriation of trade secrets and proprietary information, contract disputes, whistleblower, and retaliation claims, OSHA citations, and labor law issues throughout New England. He handles matters on both an individual and class action basis. He provides guidance and counsel on employee performance, disciplinary actions, and termination decisions. Mr. O’Brien also participates in and/or provides training on harassment, discrimination, hazing, unconscious bias, and other legal issues. He also conducts internal audits and investigations.