Introduction
A wrongful death jury verdict in Hampden County that the trial judge reduced from 2.3 million to 0 million stands as what may be the highest damages award of its kind in that jurisdiction, and it belongs to Gelinas and Lefebvre, P.C. That result defines the outer edge of what the firm has achieved for clients, though its caseload spans from individual auto accident claims to complex commercial transactions. The firm at 554 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 has served clients throughout the Pioneer Valley for decades, with James W. Gelinas, Robert J. Lefebvre, and Richard D. Gelinas bringing more than a century of combined experience across the practice areas the firm covers.
The firm operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and maintains an appointment-only office at 462 Main Street, Amherst, MA 01002, reachable at (413) 345-6540. The main office can be reached at (413) 532-0010.
Practice Areas
Auto Accidents and Personal Injury
The firm handles auto accident and personal injury representation with a track record that includes the Hampden County wrongful death verdict described above. The approach centers on refusing to settle cases until clients receive the compensation they are entitled to, a standard the firm applies to both straightforward accident claims and complex multi-party injury litigation. The attorneys bring decades of experience delivering aggressive personal injury representation throughout the Pioneer Valley.
Bankruptcy
The firm helps clients through the bankruptcy process under both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 provides a discharge of eligible debts for qualifying individuals. Chapter 13 allows debtors to restructure debt payments over a court-approved repayment plan while retaining assets. The attorneys guide clients through both processes with attention to eliminating debt and the financial anxiety that accompanies it.
Commercial and Residential Real Estate
The firm assists clients through all phases of real estate matters, from contract review through closing. Both residential transactions and commercial real estate matters fall within the practice scope. The attorneys bring depth of knowledge and legal structuring typically available at larger firms while maintaining the attentiveness and competitive fees of a smaller practice.
Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law
Estate planning services cover wills, trusts, health care proxies, living wills, special needs trusts, and prenuptial agreements. The elder law practice focuses on protecting family wealth during periods of need, helping individuals, married couples, and high net worth families develop appropriate plans that can save clients significant amounts in unnecessary payments, costs, and taxes. The attorneys have extensive experience with the estate planning needs of clients across economic circumstances.
Business Organizations, Acquisitions, and Franchises
The firm provides business counsel for organizations, acquisitions, and franchise matters, offering legal structuring typically available at larger law firms with the prompt service available at smaller practices. Business clients receive attention that a larger firm might allocate to a more junior practitioner.
Attorney Profiles
James W. Gelinas is a founding partner of Gelinas and Lefebvre, P.C., contributing decades of experience to the firm broad practice areas.
Robert J. Lefebvre is a founding partner whose practice encompasses the full range of matters the firm handles, from personal injury through estate planning.
Richard D. Gelinas is an attorney at the firm, bringing the combined experience of the Gelinas and Lefebvre partnership to the next generation of client representation.
Together, the three attorneys carry more than a century of combined experience serving clients throughout the Pioneer Valley including Springfield, Holyoke, Amherst, Northampton, Hadley, Belchertown, Ludlow, South Hadley, and surrounding towns.
Location and Service Area
The main office is at 554 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, reachable at (413) 532-0010. The appointment-only office is at 462 Main Street, Amherst, MA 01002, reachable at (413) 345-6540. The firm serves clients throughout the Pioneer Valley and surrounding communities in western Massachusetts.
Website: attorneysgl.com
Client Focus
Gelinas and Lefebvre serves clients ranging from individuals navigating a first bankruptcy to families managing complex estate plans to businesses structuring acquisitions. The firm treats simple and complex matters with the same energy and attentiveness, a standard that distinguishes practices where smaller or more routine matters receive lesser attention from junior staff.
The personal injury practice operates on a clear commitment: cases are not settled until clients receive what they are entitled to. That standard means the firm is prepared to litigate fully where settlement offers fall short of appropriate compensation. The Hampden County wrongful death verdict reflects that willingness.
The combination of depth typically found at larger firms with fees and personal attention typically found at smaller practices is the operational model the firm has built and maintained across its decades of practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the notable verdict Gelinas and Lefebvre obtained in Hampden County?
The firm obtained a wrongful death verdict that the jury set at 2.3 million, which the trial judge subsequently reduced to 0 million. This may be the highest damages award in a wrongful death case in Hampden County history.
Does the firm handle both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
Yes. The firm assists clients with both Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy and Chapter 13 reorganization bankruptcy, guiding clients through whichever process fits their financial situation.
What elder law services does the firm provide?
The firm helps individuals, married couples, and high net worth families develop estate plans including wills, trusts, health care proxies, living wills, and special needs trusts, with particular attention to strategies that protect family wealth during periods of medical or financial need.
Where are the firm offices located?
The main office is at 554 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. A second appointment-only office is at 462 Main Street, Amherst, MA 01002.
What areas of western Massachusetts does the firm serve?
The firm serves clients throughout the Pioneer Valley including Springfield, Holyoke, Amherst, Northampton, Hadley, Belchertown, Ludlow, South Hadley, and surrounding towns.
Closing
The Hampden County wrongful death verdict, the century of combined attorney experience, and the multi-disciplinary practice covering personal injury, bankruptcy, real estate, estate planning, and business law place Gelinas and Lefebvre, P.C. among the established practices serving the Pioneer Valley. Clients in western Massachusetts can reach the firm at (413) 532-0010 or find more information at attorneysgl.com