Biz Briefs: Two Former Prosecutors Open Local Law Firm| 02:36PM / Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | |
 Their office is located at 152 North St., Suite 140, in the old Shipton Building in the heart of downtown Pittsfield. |
New law firm
Gregory Barry, left,. and Robert Kinzer have opened a new law firm in Pittsfield.
Barry & Kinzer, LLP, a full-service law firm with more than 40 combined years of litigation experience, recently celebrated its opening in Pittsfield. The law firm was founded on Feb. 4, 2019, by Gregory M. Barry and Robert W. Kinzer, two former assistant district attorneys in the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. Their office is located at 152 North St., Suite 140, in the old Shipton Building in the heart of downtown Pittsfield. The law firm will be hosting an open house on Friday, Feb. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. to celebrate its launch.
The firm is dedicated to representing individuals in criminal, civil and family matters. Attorneys Barry and Kinzer have handled more than 10,000 criminal cases in Berkshire County. Barry & Kinzer, LLP is a small law firm with experienced and knowledgeable attorneys, offering professional representation. To learn more, or to request a consultation with Barry & Kinzer, LLP, visit the website or call 413-853-4223.
Kinzer is the former second assistant district attorney of Berkshire County who worked in the Berkshire District Attorney's Office for 22 years. He served as the District Court coordinator, was a felony Superior Court prosecutor, and was head of the Computer Crimes Division. He also conducted hundreds of presentations across the county focusing on bullying, internet safety and social media security. In 2006, Massachusetts Lawyer's Weekly named Attorney Kinzer as one of the state's "15 Up & Coming Attorneys."
Barry also worked in the Berkshire District Attorney's Office for 20 years. He is the former chief of Adult Sexual Assaults, Motor Vehicle Homicides, and Insurance Fraud at the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. In his 20-year career, he served as the District Court jury coordinator and as a felony Superior Court prosecutor. He has extensive criminal litigation experience and most notably served as one of the lead prosecutors in the infamous Hells Angels triple homicide.
Greylock supports Goodwill
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From left, Greylock VP of Administration Jaime Ellen Moncecchi; Goodwill Director, Community Relations Maryam Kamangar; Greylock Manager of Community Support and Events Jennifer Connor Shumsky; and Goodwill President and CEO David Twiggs. Photo courtesy Greylock Federal Credit Union.
Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, Inc. announced that it has received a donation of $7,500 from Greylock Federal Credit Union in support of its "Suit Your Self" program, which includes a planned expansion of the program in the Northern Berkshires.
The nonprofit organization operates "Suit Your Self" at its Pittsfield and North Adams regional centers and will be offering the program in Williamstown later this year. "Suit Your Self" assists job seekers with job interview preparation, employment coaching and business attire at no charge, providing program participants with a support system and an opportunity to gain self-confidence as they enter or reenter the workforce.
Planned improvements include a dedicated classroom space and enhanced services at Goodwill's retail location at 166 State St. in North Adams and the establishment of a "Suit Your Self" program and classroom in Williamstown, scheduled to open this year.
BCC hospitality program
The continued success of the region's hospitality industry depends on a skilled and inspired workforce. Beginning March 18, BCC's Fast-Track Hospitality and Culinary Program will launch a pilot of three new non-credit certificates taught by industry experts. The new program is designed to provide the skills and experience needed to address the acute shortage of service professionals in the region, and to elevate the Berkshire experience for both visitors and full-time residents. The certificates aim to support local economies and to cultivate and retain young talent in the Berkshires.
Three non-credit, part-time certificates targeting distinct student interests will be offered: Hospitality Core Skills (Front-of-House Staff); Culinary Core Skills (Back-of-House Staff); and Hospitality Leadership (Rising Managers). During this grant-funded pilot initiative, Fast-Track Program courses will be offered at no-cost to enrolled students or interested employers, supported by a Training Resources and Internship Network grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Upon coursework completion, students will be eligible to apply for a paid internship to train with participating employers, furthering their skill set and potential for permanent employment in the industry.
Instructors from the Berkshires' most innovative hospitality and culinary businesses will teach practical classes and hands-on training at two locations: BCC's main Pittsfield campus and BCC's South County Center in Great Barrington. Employers are encouraged to recommend current and prospective staff members to attend. Local hospitality organizations interested in applying to become a host site for internships, or anyone seeking more information, should send an email or call 413-236-2127 for more information.
Financial education
Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority again will offer its "Learn More, Burn Less" economic literacy and financial education workshops starting Monday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. at their offices at 1 Fenn St. in Pittsfield. The workshops constitute a series of four one hour and forty-five minute sessions. The workshops are offered freely to anyone who has been helped by their services and to the public in general. All workshops will be held at the same time for four consecutive Mondays: Feb. 25 and March 4, 11 and 18.
The workshops will focus on family economics, spending and savings strategies, improving your credit ratings and bolstering budgeting skills. Smart shopping and avoiding the pitfalls of harmful financial products and popular scams will be covered as well in the workshops. The course is geared for those who are worried or concerned about maintaining or improving their current economic condition. It is designed especially for those facing tenancy or mortgage issues either currently or in the future.
Each session is devoted to different topics as well as budgeting they include: discussion, games and a lively approach to improving a family's economic stability. Those who are interested in being involved in the series must call Jim Hamilton at BCRHA at 413-344-4810 or email him. The workshops are free and open to the public, but space is limited.
Zonta award nominees
Applications for the 2019 Young Women in Public Affairs Award are now available from the Zonta Club of Berkshire County by contacting Christa Collier by email or by phone at 413-663-9062. The goal of the Young Women in Public Affairs Program is to encourage more young women to participate in public affairs by recognizing a young woman's commitment to the volunteer sector, by evidence of volunteer leadership achievements, and a dedication to the advancement of the status of women.
Applicants are asked to reflect on their voluntary commitment to their school and to their community and the problems limiting the advancement of the status of women in their own country and worldwide. The Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs program looks to the young women of today for the leaders of tomorrow. One award of $1,000 will be made to a Berkshire County student. The Berkshire County awardee will also be eligible for the Zonta District ($1,000) and International ($3,000) awards.
Applications are to be emailed and are due to Christa Collier by Friday, March 15, 2019, via email. Applicants ages 16-19 as of April 1, 2019, studying and living or working in Berkshire County at the time of the application are eligible to apply.
Nonprofit guide
The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires has completed a new publication aimed at helping nonprofits efficiently access information to business products and services. The Nonprofit Resource Directory features more than 550 contacts in 40 categories, from accounting to web design. Connecting nonprofits to the resources they need is part of the NPC's mission and also serves to stimulate the local business-to-nonprofit economy.
The 60-page Nonprofit Resource Directory is viewable free online at npcberkshires.org in the publications section. Hard copies are also available for purchase online at a cost of $15.
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