Board of Directors
Directors and Officers serve 2 year terms, elected at the association's Annual Meeting each September.
The Association's fiscal year runs from October-September, and terms expire upon each September election year.
President (2025-2027)
Lianna Pilesky
Upton & Hatfield LLP
Lianna has worked in various areas of civil litigation for nearly 15 years. She is currently a litigation paralegal at Upton & Hatfield, LLP's Concord office.
Lianna received an A.A.S. in paralegal studies in 2009 from College of Southern Maryland and a B.A. in legal studies in 2010 from University of Maryland University College (n/k/a University of Maryland Global Campus). In 2016, she received the Registered Paralegal designation from the Nation Federation of Paralegal Associations.
Vice President (2025-2026)
Melanie Scargill
McLane Middleton, P.A.
Melanie works as a litigation paralegal and has over 20 years’ experience in the field. She graduated with High Honors from New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) with a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
In 2016, Melanie delivered the commencement address at NHTI’s graduation reception for the Certificate in Paralegal Studies program. Melanie also holds an A.S. in Business Administration from Camden County College.
Treasurer (2025-2026)
Wendy McInnis
Devine Millimet & Branch Professional Association
Wendy has worked in the legal field for 30 years and currently works as a litigation paralegal at Devine Millimet & Branch Professional Association. Wendy received her A.S. in Paralegal Studies from Nashua Community College. After graduation she worked at the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office then went on to be a particpate in the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program after her service with AmeriCorps she ventured into private practice where she has worked since. Wendy joined the Paralegal Association of New Hampshire in 2018.
NFPA Primary Liaison (2025-2027)
Lisa M. Kelley-Fowler
Craig, Deachman & Associates, PLLC
Lisa is a paralegal at Craig, Deachman & Associates, PLLC, based in the firm’s Manchester, NH office. She joined the firm in 2025 and works in the corporate and real estate divisions, with extensive experience in estate planning, trust and estate administration, probate law, guardianships, and landlord/tenant matters.
Lisa earned her Associate’s Degree from New Hampshire Community College, her Bachelor’s Degree from Notre Dame College, and her ABA-accredited Paralegal Certificate from New Hampshire Technical Institute. She is also a Notary Public for the State of New Hampshire.
Beyond her legal work, Lisa is dedicated to serving her community. She volunteers with the Salvation Army, United Way, New Horizons, Liberty House, and Families in Transition, and previously served as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Webster House children’s home in Manchester.
Director at Large (2024-2025)
AnnMarie Scott
New Hampshire Department of Justice - Criminal Bureau
AnnMarie is currently employed at the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, Criminal Bureau as their drug unit paralegal, and has also spent the last 10 years working part-time as a recording clerk for the Town of Hooksett’s Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. She has experience in criminal law, forfeitures, personal injury, family law, municipal law, property tax law, eminent domain, trusts and estates, and mutual fund law. In 1992, AnnMarie received her A.S. in legal secretarial studies from Marian Court College and in 1999 she received her B.S. in paralegal studies, summa cum laude, from Boston University. In 2021, she received her national paralegal certification by the National Association of Legal Assistants. AnnMarie is also a Notary Public and Justice of the Peace for the State of New Hampshire.
Director-At-Large (2025-2027)
Kimberly M. Abaid
Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten, LLP
Kim is a paralegal with the Manchester City Solicitor's office, bringing over two decades of experience in criminal law. She started her career in 2002 at the U.S. District Court in Boston before earning her MBA from SNHU in 2024 and her Paralegal Certificate from NHTI in 2025.
Director-At-Large (2025-2027)
Jessica Bellemore
Shaheen & Gordon, P.A.
Jessica Bellemore has been a litigation paralegal with Shaheen & Gordon for her entire 20+ year career. In this role, she has supported multiple attorneys in civil and criminal litigation, in both state and federal courts. Jessica specializes in complex civil litigation and has extensive experience mentoring and training support staff and paralegals. Jessica has received recognition from The New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union for the 2014 Bill of Rights Award. In her free time, Jessica can be found running long distances having completed three marathons, strength training, or at the lake spending time with family. Jessica is thrilled to join the Board of the Paralegal Association of New Hampshire and to share her experience and expertise with paralegals across the state.
Director-At-Large (2025-2027)
Heather Galatis
Shaheen and Gordon
Heather supports multiple Criminal Defense attorney's at Shaheen & Gordon, based in the Concord, NH office. She started her legal career at the NH Public Defender's office for four years prior to venturing into private practice. Heather earned her Paralegal Studies Certification at NHTI. She then wnet on to earn her Master's in Criminal Justice, Master's in Forensic Psychology and Master's in Alternative Dispute Resolution. She is currently pursuing her final Master's in Digital Forensics at the University of New Haven, CT.
Heather is excited to join the Board of the Paralegal Association and share her passion and knowledge for criminal defense with other paralegals across the state.
Director-At-Large (2025-2027)
Jessica Gendron
Shaheen & Gordon, P.A.
Jessica has been working in the legal field for over 26 years as a litigation paralegal. She is currently employed at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. in their Manchester office. Jessica earned her B.A. in Paralegal Studies from Notre Dame College, Manchester, New Hampshire in 1998, is a member of the Paralegal Association of New Hampshire and currently serves on the Board of Directors. Jessica received the New Hampshire Bar Associations 2023 Paralegal Professionalism Award.
Director-At-Large (2025-2027)
Wendy McInnis
Devine Millimet & Branch Professional Association
Wendy has worked in the legal field for 30 years and currently works as a litigation paralegal at Devine Millimet & Branch Professional Association. Wendy received her A.S. in Paralegal Studies from Nashua Community College. After graduation she worked at the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office then went on to be a particpate in the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program after her service with AmeriCorps she ventured into private practice where she has worked since. Wendy joined the Paralegal Association of New Hampshire in 2018.
Director-At-Large (2025-2027)
Kay Palacios
Nixon Peabody, LLP
Kenneth Palacios
NFPA Region V Director
Donald Shedd II
City of Manchester Solicitor's Office
As the Paralegal for the Office of the City Solicitor for the City of Manchester, NH, Donnie is in the unique position of being able to work on both criminal prosecution matters and various civil matters, simultaneously, on behalf of the nine attorneys he works for. In addition to his daily role and duties as a paralegal, Donnie is also his office’s point person for Body Worn Cameras, the system administrator for his office’s case management system, and the Terminal Agency Coordinator for his office’s NCIC/SPOTs license and terminal.
Donnie graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2008 with Bachelor-of-Arts Degrees in Justice Studies and Sociology. He earned his Paralegal Studies Certificate from NHTI in 2016, graduating with High Honors as Co-Valedictorian and recently graduated from Granite State College with a Master’s of Science in Leadership as well as a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. Donnie’s Master’s Degree Capstone project was an examination into the expansion of post-hire training for paralegals in the State of New Hampshire.
Donnie serves as Region V Director for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, is also a member of the NFPA Advocacy Committee, and serves on the advisory board for the Paralegal Studies Program taught at Middlesex Community College.
Website Management and Social Media Committee, Chair (2024-2025)
Kimberly M. Abaid
Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten, LLP
Kim is a paralegal with the Manchester City Solicitor's office, bringing over two decades of experience in criminal law. She started her career in 2002 at the U.S. District Court in Boston before earning her MBA from SNHU in 2024 and her Paralegal Certificate from NHTI in 2025.
