Names to Know: John Sokul appointed to Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors

John Sokul appointed to Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors

John Sokul
John Sokul

PORTSMOUTH ˗˗ Local affordable housing organization, Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity is excited to announce newly appointed board member, John H. Sokul, Jr. to the Board of Directors. Sokul recently joined the nonprofit at a pivotal time of strategic planning and organizational growth.

Sokul is a Partner at Hinckley Allen in Boston, Mass., and Manchester, N.H., as well as a member of Hinckley Allen's Executive Committee. As a leading real estate attorney in N.H. and New England, he intends to bring years of invaluable real estate expertise to the organization.

“I am extremely proud and excited to have been asked to serve on the Board of SENH Habitat,” shares Sokul. “I look forward to contributing my real estate expertise and efforts in furthering their important mission of providing affordable housing in a special way that allows people to work on constructing the home they will eventually own.”

His creativity and results-oriented nature extends beyond solving legal issues and looks forward to working alongside the board of directors, staff, volunteers and partner families. Sokul prefers to stand shoulder to shoulder with his clients as they tackle legal matters together, many of whom have worked with him for almost 25 years. He applies his knowledge and over 35 years of real estate experience in a practical, user-friendly manner to achieve outstanding results for his clients.

“John brings a depth of real estate experience that will be an important resource for us going forward as we continue our mission to eliminate poverty housing locally”, shared Paul J. Leyden, Board Secretary. Sokul has years of nonprofit board experience will help guide future strategic decisions being made at the board level.

Executive Director, Marcie Bergan added, “Assembling a Board of professionals who truly have a passion for what we do is something we take very seriously. I am grateful to be welcoming John to our team. John has a busy schedule and his willingness to add us to his plate is a testament to his commitment to service and our mission.”

McLane Middleton’s Whitney Gagnon admitted to Maine State Bar

Whitney A. Gagnon
Whitney A. Gagnon

PORTSMOUTH – The law firm of McLane Middleton is pleased to announce that attorney Whitney A. Gagnon has been admitted to the Maine State Bar.

Gagnon is a Director in the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department. She focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, and probate and trust administration. She advises individuals and families and assists in establishing comprehensive estate plans. Gagnon’s estate planning practice ranges from preparing foundation estate plans for young families to designing and implementing complex plans that incorporate sophisticated estate, gift, income, and generation skipping transfer tax strategies.

Gagnon counsels clients in relation to the New Hampshire and Massachusetts Medicaid laws and prepares plans to achieve clients’ estate planning and long-term care planning objectives. Gagnon also practices in the area of special needs law where she works with individuals with special needs and their families to develop plans to provide for the individual’s supplemental needs and enhance the individual’s quality of life.

Gagnon also represents clients in probate court matters including estate settlement, trust administration, and guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. Gagnon counsels fiduciaries and beneficiaries in connection with the administration of estates and trusts.

Gagnon can be reached in the firm’s Portsmouth office at 603-334-6927 or whitney.gagnon@mclane.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Names to Know: John Sokul appointed to Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors