We're the leading choice when it comes to real estate closings.
When it comes to real estate law, it’s crucial to recognize that not all law firms are created equal — particularly when it comes to the unique process of a home purchase, sale or refinance.
For over 20 years Baillie & Hershman has been delivering comprehensive real estate legal services to buyers, sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and lenders across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Rhode Island, Maine and the District of Columbia. And, through our partner company, Associate Attorney Title & Closing ("AATC"), we extend our services nationwide.
Our focus on real estate law is further exemplified by some our attorneys being Residential Real Estate Board Certified Specialists by the Connecticut Bar Association. The attorneys who hold this certification have met rigorous criteria, demonstrating their expertise and experience in their field.
Donald S. Baillie, Attorney
Donald S. Baillie has over fifty years of legal experience and currently concentrates his practice on residential real estate transactions. His practice areas include real estate, estate planning, estate administration, and corporate and business organization law.
Mr. Baillie is a member of the Connecticut Bar, and he is admitted to practice before the U.S. Federal District and Appeals Courts, the U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the Connecticut and American Bar Associations and of the Employee Relocation Council and its Law and Government Relations Committee. Mr. Baillie has received a rating of AV from Martindale and Hubbell and has been repeatedly named to Connecticut Super Lawyers. He is also active in the employee relocation industry, holding the Senior Certified Relocation Professional (SCRP) designation from WERC.
Mr. Baillie received a B.A. from Brown University in 1970, and a J.D., cum laude, in 1974 from Suffolk University, where he was a member of the Law Review. At Suffolk University Mr. Baillie won the Justice Tom C. Clark Moot Court Competition and authored “Union Use of Unfair Electioneering Tactics,” 7 Suffolk University Law Review 1144, 1973. He clerked for the Honorable Charles S. House, Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, from 1974 until 1975.
Jay N. Hershman, Attorney
Jay N. Hershman concentrates his practice in the area of real estate law, including compliance and corporate and business organization. Mr. Hershman is currently certified by the Connecticut Bar Association as a Residential Real Estate Specialist. Mr. Hershman is a member of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bars, and he is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court in the District of Connecticut. He also holds a Massachusetts real estate broker license.
Additionally, Mr. Hershman is a member of the American, Connecticut, and New Haven County Bar Associations. He currently serves as the Chair of Worldwide Employee Relocation Council’s (WERC) North American Real Estate and Mortgage Forum and holds a Senior Certified Relocation Professional (SCRP) designation. He has served as a speaker at numerous events and training sessions throughout the United States, discussing real estate and relocation. He has also been a member of the Cheshire Fire Department since 1992 and held the rank of Assistant Chief. Mr. Hershman served as the President of the Waterbury Area Fire Chief’s Association. Mr. Hershman was selected to the March 2012 Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40, honoring the top young leaders in Connecticut. Additionally, Mr. Hershman has been active on the boards of numerous charitable organizations.
In 1998 Mr. Hershman received a B.A. from Bryant University. He received a J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2001. At the Quinnipiac University School of Law, Mr. Hershman was the Research Editor of the Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal, and he authored “Erickson v. Erickson: Extrinsic Evidence in Probate Matters”, Quinn. Prob. Law Jour. 143 (2001).
Lauren A. Scotton-Flannery, Attorney
Lauren A. Scotton-Flannery concentrates her practice in the area of real estate law. She is a member of the Connecticut State Bar as well as the Connecticut Bar Association.
She received her B.A. from Bucknell University in 2006. She received her J.D. in 2011 from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she was the Lead Associate Editor of the Health Law Journal.
Tamara L. Peterson, Attorney
Tamara L. Peterson serves as the Managing Attorney of the firm’s Fairfield, CT office, and concentrates her practice in the areas of transactional real estate.
Prior to joining Baillie & Hershman, Ms. Peterson was a solo practitioner that rapidly grew her firm by putting the needs of her clients first. She has always been committed to providing responsive, accurate, personalized, and hands-on legal representation. During this time, she was also Of Counsel with a Massachusetts firm, Sharaf & Maloney P.C., helping them grow their Connecticut clientele.
After 14 years, Ms. Peterson decided to join Baillie & Hershman P.C. to provide even greater levels of client customer service, and to expand her network of resources throughout Fairfield County.
Ms. Peterson received a B.A. from the University of Connecticut in 1988 and graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 1999. She is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association.
Gary J. Kravetz Esq, of Counsel
Gary J. Kravetz concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, financial institutions and corporate law, including compliance, Board Governance, and individual and corporate tax law. Mr. Kravetz is a member of the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine Bars and is also Admitted to practice before the U.S. Districts Courts for the District of Maine and District of Massachusetts. He also is a Certified Public Accountant. Additionally, he is a licensed Title Agent (Real Estate Title Insurance ) in the States of Maine and New Hampshire.
Mr. Kravetz has spent over 27 years practicing law in Massachusetts and Maine, also conducting Real Estate Transactions in New Hampshire while running his own Law Practice known as Kravetz Law Office. His experience in New England was vast in all phases of both Commercial and Residential Real Estate, including a focus on resolving title issue and handling Work Outs. Mr. Kravetz has been counsel to several Financial Institutions (both Bank and Credit Union) in various capacities including, Real Estate Conveyancing, Real Estate Policy drafting, and Board of Director Counsel and Advisor. Since 1996 Mr. Kravetz has served as General Counsel to Mass Bay Credit Union (formerly MBTA Employees Credit Union) and since 1993 has served as General Counsel to Robie Properties, LLC a large Massachusetts Real Estate firm.
In 1980 Mr. Kravetz received a B.S.B..A. from Bucknell University. He received a J.D. Suffolk Law School in 1988.
Matthew W. Kerner, Attorney
Matthew W. Kerner serves as the Managing Attorney of the firm’s Bronxville, NY office, and concentrates his practice in the areas of transactional real estate. He is well-versed in all facets of New York real estate transactions, with experience representing purchasers, sellers, and financial institutions.
Mr. Kerner has spent over 14 years practicing law in New York, and was a partner at Nobile, Magarian & DiSalvo, LLP, prior to merging the firm with Baillie & Hershman, P.C. in April 2024.
Mr. Kerner received a B.A. in Journalism from SUNY Purchase in 2005, and a J.D. from Pace University School of Law in 2010. Mr. Kerner is a member of the New York State Bar.
Ryan E. Schlotterback, Attorney
Mr. Schlotterback serves as the Managing Attorney of the firm’s Greenwich, Connecticut office, where he focuses his practice on residential and commercial real estate matters. He brings extensive experience guiding clients through complex transactions and is well-versed in state and municipal regulations affecting property ownership and development.
He has in-depth knowledge of zoning ordinances, permitting and licensing requirements, oil tank removal, soil remediation, and specific building department requirements in Westchester and Fairfield Counties. He has successfully represented buyers, sellers, financial institutions, and institutional lenders in a wide range of residential and commercial real estate transactions. He also advises clients on contract disputes, boundary and title issues, and landlord-tenant matters, providing practical, solution-oriented guidance.
Mr. Schlotterback earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware and his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School, and he is admitted to practice law in Connecticut and New York.
He lives in Greenwich with his wife, their two children, and their black lab, Moose, where he currently serves as Board Chair for Children’s Day School, a non-profit childcare institution. In his free time, you can find him boating, fishing, and hiking in the Adirondacks.
Michael J. Barrows, of Counsel
Michael J. Barrows concentrates his law practice representing banks and other lending institutions in both residential and commercial real estate closings. He also represents sellers and buyers in real estate transactions, including the drafting and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements.
Mr. Barrows is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts; Florida and Rhode Island. He is also licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; and the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
He has operated his own law firm in Massachusetts since 1992 (Devine Barrows, LLP), and has also been appointed by Massachusetts Bar Association to serve as chair of the Real Estate Law Section Council for 2024-2025, and was selected by the Massachusetts Land Court to serve on the Advisory Committee on the Land Court Guidelines on Registered Land.
Mr. Barrows received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University in 1984; and his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk Law School in 1987.
Edward J. Mitchell, Attorney
In almost 40 years of practicing law, Mr. Mitchell has acquired extensive experience in real estate law, transactional matters, estate planning, the administration of estates and trusts and, where necessary, litigation.
Mr. Mitchell received a B.A. from Michigan State University and a J.D. from New York Law School. He is admitted in New York and Connecticut State Courts, the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of Connecticut.