Experienced Legal Assistance: Somerset, Massachusetts

Family Law Attorney • Employment Lawyer • Divorce Law Firm

Miguel Law Offices provide clients with experienced, skilled legal services at a reasonable price. Unlike some other law firms, our practice is focused in the areas of family law, employment law, criminal law, personal injury and business law.

While there are numerous reasons to retain our services, two of the biggest reasons are attorney Jennifer Smith Miguel and paralegal Jennifer Lyn LaFrance. To learn more about our skilled staff, please read their brief bios below:

Attorney Jennifer Smith Miguel

Attorney Miguel has years of experience in the practice of law. Before, opening her own offices, she was a partner at Casey and Thompson, P.C. where she was employed for more than ten years. By establishing Miguel Law Offices, she brings to clients a fresh, unparalleled team oriented approach to the practice of law.

Jennifer Smith Miguel is regarded as an outstanding litigator and advocate for her clients. She brings to the practice her own personal divorce experience. She too has gone through the steps of separation and divorce and thereby not only offers unique understanding and empathy to her clients (which many other attorneys cannot) but also the knowledge and experience as a practicing divorce attorney.

Attorney Miguel created an environment different than most law offices. She is genuinely interested in seeking justice for her clients, offers competitive fees and rates, and is honest and devoted to each client.

By concentrating her practice to family law, including divorce, custody, child support, alimony, domestic violence case and employment law, Ms. Miguel is able to stay current with the changes in the law and able to utilize her superior negotiation and advocacy skills. Clients and peers have commented on her ability to anticipate the needs of her clients. She has a proven track record of success and has earned the respect of judges, peers and clients alike.

Ms. Miguel is a single mother of two young children, one with special needs. She was born and raised in Attleboro, Massachusetts, lived for period of time in Fall River and New Hampshire and now is proud to call Somerset her home town.

Profile:

Bar Admissions:
Massachusetts, 1997

Education:
New England School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts, 1997 J.D.

Honors:
Cum Laude
Graduated Top 10% of Class
New Eng Scholar 1996, 1997 (Superior Academic Achievement)
Dean's List 1996 & 1997
Cali Award Conflicts of Law
Cali Award Trial Practice

Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 1992 B.s.
Honors:
Cum Laude
Phi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
Dean's List 1992
Honorable Shea Scholarship Award
Major: Political Science

Bristol Community College, Fall River, Massachusetts, 1989 A.A.
Honors:
With Honors
Dean's List
Major: Business

Representative Cases:
Roland Rogers v. Town of Plainville, 1999 MASS App. Div. 210 (District CT 1999)
Peter Gariepy vs. Department of Corrections, Massachusetts Civil Service Commission docket no: D-04-361

Honors and Awards:
New Center for Legal Advocacy - Child Guardian Ad Litem Program Court of Appeals, 2003

Professional Associations and Memberships:
Massachusetts Bar Association, 1997 - Present
Member

Bristol County Bar Association, 1997 - Present
Member

Fall River Bar Association, 2006 - Present
Member

Past Employment Positions:
Casey and Thompson, P.C., Partner, 1996 - 2006
Suffolk County House of Corrections, Student Attorney, 1996

Jordan Marsh/ Macy's 1988- 1994

Attorney Peter V. Tekippe 

Peter V. Tekippe is an Associate Attorney at Miguel Law Offices. Attorney Tekippe received his Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law. Attorney Tekippe was admitted to the bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Maryland in 2004. Attorney Tekippe also received his Master's Degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island and his Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Attorney Tekippe is a member of the Bristol County Bar Advocates, Private Counsel Division. Attorney Tekippe is certified to represent indigent adults who are charged with misdemeanors and felonies that are within the final jurisdiction of the District Court and indigent juveniles in delinquency cases in the Juvenile Court. Attorney Tekippe sits on the Board of Directors of the Bristol County Bar Advocates as a representative from Attleboro.

Prior to his career as an Attorney, Mr. Tekippe served in the United States Merchant Marine working on dynamically positioned mobile offshore drilling units in Brazil, Singapore and the Gulf of Mexico. Attorney Tekippe also served six years in the United States Naval Reserve and achieved the rank of lieutenant. Attorney Tekippe maintains an active United States Coast Guard Third Mate Unlimited Oceans License.

Attorney Tekippe volunteers his time as a member of the Town of Warren, Rhode Island, Harbor Management Commission and as a Director of the Kickemuit Klose Condominium Association. Attorney Tekippe resides in Warren, Rhode Island with his wife.

Bar Admissions
Massachusetts, 2004
Maryland, 2004

Professional Associations and Memberships
Bristol County Bar Advocates, 2009 - Present (Board of Directors)
Town of Warren Harbor Management Commission, 2008 - Present (Member)

Past Employment Positions
Casey Law Offices, P.C., Associate, 2006 - 2009
Casey and Thompson, P.C., Associate, 2005 - 2006

Education
Roger Williams University School of Law, Bristol, Rhode Island, 2004
J.D.

University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
M.M.A.
Major: Masters Marine Affairs

Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, 1999
B.S.
Honors: Presidents List
Honors: Dean's List
Honors: Cadet Officer
Honors: Division Leader
Major: Marine Transportation

Senior Paralegal Jennifer Lyn LaFrance

Ms. LaFrance is the Senior paralegal at Miguel Law Offices, and she is an integral part of the firm’s success over the years. Although not a lawyer, she has a deep understanding of many legal issues and the legal process and ensures that all work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.

Jennifer LaFrance graduated with honors from Roger Williams University, earning her Paralegal Certificate. She is a member of the Paralegal National Honor Society.

Ms. LaFrance is also a graduate of Bridgewater State College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 1993. Prior to working at Miguel Law Offices, Ms. LaFrance worked in the field of public safety.

Ms. LaFrance has a background in social work and civil service, where she earned a reputation for keeping a level head in crises. She has extensive experience handling emergencies, using her sizable skills to help identify options and then plan for the future even in the face of chaos.

Paralegal Amanda Lee Briggs

Started with Miguel Law Offices in June of 2009 as an administrative assistant was promoted to Paralegal in October of 2009.

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Westfield State College 2009 with a double major
• Bachelor of science in Psychology
• Bachelor of science in Criminal Justice
• Dean's list all four years of college
• Resident Assistant at Westfield State College from 2007-2009
• Interned at Safe Passage, a domestic violence shelter in 2009, for my practicum
• Studied abroad in Morocco, Africa, learned about criminal justice in Morocco, 2009
• Notary Public

Teamwork is our forte

When you come to Miguel Law Offices, you receive the benefit of our professional team, working in tandem, to provide you with the best possible service and legal representation. To schedule your confidential consultation, please call us at 508.402.7095 or contact us online. Put a winning team in your corner.