Business Details
42 Years
experience
Trusted Legal Services in Rutland, Vermont
Founded in 1984, Facey Goss & McPhee P.C has established itself as a premier legal resource in Vermont, delivering comprehensive legal services with a focus on quality, competitive cost, and unwavering client service. Our team of highly experienced attorneys brings diverse expertise in areas such as Commercial Transactions, Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation, Environmental and Land Use Permitting, Tax and Estate Planning, Immigration, and Family Law. Recognized for our legal acumen and commitment to client success, we serve clients across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, offering the sophistication of large urban firms with the personalized attention of a mid-sized regional practice. Our attorneys, including former general counsel of major corporations and former federal prosecutors, combine deep local knowledge with national and international legal perspectives. We prioritize client relationships, ensuring tailored solutions for both general and specialized legal needs while maintaining active roles in professional and community organizations.Our proximity to Vermonts ski areas and expertise in vacation real estate further distinguish our practice. We collaborate across departments to address complex regulatory, tax, and transactional challenges, supporting clients in land preservation, business succession, and dispute resolution. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our recognition by peers and clients, including multiple attorneys named to the Best Lawyers list. We provide accessible legal guidance through direct attorney contact and comprehensive resources, ensuring clients receive informed, strategic representation. From estate planning to litigation, our firm remains committed to upholding the highest standards of legal practice in the Green Mountain State.
Services
Real Estate Law
Personal Injury
Tax and Estate Planning
Employment Law
Family Law
Land Use Permitting
Civil Litigation
Immigration Law
Business Succession Planning
Probate Administration
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of experience in Vermont-specific legal matters.
- Our attorneys combine urban firm sophistication with personalized regional service.
- We offer cross-disciplinary collaboration in complex regulatory and transactional cases.
- Our team includes multiple Best Lawyers-recognized attorneys.
- We provide direct attorney access and tailored legal strategies for every client.
Associations and certifications
- Best Lawyers
Services
Real Estate Law
Our Real Estate Practice Group provides comprehensive representation for clients involved in commercial and residential real estate transactions. We assist with title clearance, environmental issues, lease negotiations, property tax appeals, and land use permitting. Our team collaborates with land developers and environmental groups to navigate Vermonts regulatory landscape, while also supporting conservation easements and vacation property transactions. Clients benefit from our expertise in mortgage financing, condominium associations, and both urban and rural property development.
Personal Injury
We represent injured parties in automobile accidents, product liability, wrongful death, and slip-and-fall cases. Our contingency fee basis ensures no cost unless we secure recovery. With recognized trial lawyers, we handle claims in state and federal courts, arbitration, and mediation. We also defend insurance carriers in coverage disputes while maintaining a focus on client-centered outcomes. Our experience extends to complex litigation involving premises liability and toxic torts.
Estate Planning
Our Estate Planning Group creates tailored solutions for wills, trusts, probate, and elder law matters. We guide clients through tax-efficient strategies, business succession planning, and advance medical directives. Our process includes detailed consultations to align plans with personal goals, while addressing asset distribution, guardianships, and fiduciary responsibilities. We assist executors and trustees in administering estates, resolving disputes, and complying with state and federal tax laws.
Employment Law
We advise employers on compliance, discrimination cases, and restrictive covenant litigation. Our services include drafting employment policies, conducting harassment training, and representing clients before the EEOC and labor departments. We handle trade secret protection, wage disputes, and workplace safety regulations. Our proactive approach minimizes litigation risks while ensuring adherence to federal and state employment laws.
Family Law
We address divorce, child custody, spousal support, and adoption cases with sensitivity to clients emotional and financial needs. Our attorneys handle complex financial matters, including business valuations and tax planning, alongside mediation and collaborative law solutions. We draft prenuptial agreements, resolve property disputes, and provide guidance on parental rights, ensuring outcomes that prioritize family stability and legal compliance.
People
Shannon A. Bertrand
Attorney
Specializing in real estate and land use law, Shannon A. Bertrand brings decades of experience in Vermont property transactions and environmental permitting.
David R. Cooper
Attorney
David R. Cooper focuses on civil litigation and personal injury cases, representing clients in state and federal courts with a track record of successful verdicts.
John A. Facey III
Partner
As a founding partner, John A. Facey III provides leadership in commercial transactions and corporate law, leveraging his background in international business law.
James P.W. Goss
Partner
James P.W. Goss specializes in tax law and estate planning, offering strategic solutions for high-net-worth individuals and family businesses.
Rodney E. McPhee
Partner
Rodney E. McPhee leads the firms environmental law practice, guiding clients through complex regulatory challenges and land use disputes.
Questions
What areas of law does Facey Goss & McPhee specialize in?
We specialize in real estate, personal injury, estate planning, employment law, family law, land use, and civil litigation.
Do you offer consultations for new legal cases?
Yes, we provide initial consultations to assess your case and recommend tailored legal strategies.
How does your firm handle out-of-state legal matters?
We serve clients in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, with expertise in regional and cross-border legal challenges.
What makes your estate planning services unique?
We combine tax expertise with personalized planning, ensuring seamless asset transfer and compliance with Vermont laws.
Are your legal services cost-effective?
We prioritize competitive pricing while maintaining high-quality representation tailored to client budgets.
