Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin recognized as a Best Law Firm
SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin P.C., a multidisciplinary law firm, has again been recognized by Best Lawyers as a Best Law Firm in Springfield for 2026.
The firm was honored for excellence in banking and finance law, bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights, insolvency and reorganization law, business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), closely held companies, corporate law, elder law, trusts and estates, and tax law.
In addition, eight attorneys from the firm were selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America or Ones to Watch, with two receiving the “Lawyer of the Year” designation in their practice areas.
- Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman — Named Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for both trusts and estates, and elder law. She was also recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for her work in these fields. This marks the 19th consecutive year she has received Best Lawyers recognition.
- Attorney Steven Weiss — Selected for The Best Lawyers in America for bankruptcy, creditor/debtor rights, insolvency and reorganization law for the 14th consecutive year. He was also honored as Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for this practice area.
- Attorney Timothy P. Mulhern — Managing partner, recognized for excellence in corporate law and tax law.
- Attorney Michele J. Feinstein — Honored in The Best Lawyers in America for elder law, trusts and estates. She was previously named Lawyer of the Year in trusts and estates in 2025 and has been honored annually since 2013.
- Attorney Gary S. Fentin — Founding shareholder recognized for banking and finance law, and commercial transactions/Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) law.
- Attorney Steven J. Schwartz — Founding shareholder recognized for business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), closely held companies and corporate law.
- Attorney James B. Sheils — Honored for commercial transactions/Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) law. A partner with the firm since 1985, Sheils has been recognized by Best Lawyers annually since 2015.
- Attorney Stephen L. Sobey — Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for trusts and estates.
Founder of FootCare by Nurses featured in podcast
GREENFIELD — Kate Clayton-Jones, founder of Greenfield-based FootCare by Nurses, shared her knowledge and offered foot care advice in a recent Backyard Oasis podcast. The podcast series is geared toward older adults in Franklin County and is produced by volunteers working out of Greenfield Community College’s multimedia studio.
“Foot Care by Nurses, for All” is a 30-minute conversation with producer Christine Copeland. Clayton-Jones spoke about the relationship between foot care, balance and general health. Her initial interest grew from a course at GCC and evolved into a passion for educating people about the need for evidence-based foot care and the role of nurses in health care delivery. Meanwhile, Lee Wicks, who works with Clayton-Jones on marketing materials, reflected on her first visit with Footcare by Nurses and the things she learned.
Backyard Oasis can be found through both Apple and Spotify’s platforms, as well as at rss.com/podcasts/backyardoasis. Episodes are also posted on GCC’s YouTube channel.
Social Media Bootcamp for businesses set for Oct. 23
SPRINGFIELD — Entrepreneurs, small business owners and marketing professionals across the Pioneer Valley are invited to ignite their digital presence at the upcoming Social Media Bootcamp, a hands-on workshop designed to transform how businesses engage online.
Hosted by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, the event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 7 p.m. at 1500 Main St., Tower Square.
With the theme “Content is Fire. Social Media is Gasoline,” the bootcamp will offer an immersive experience where participants will:
- Build a one-page marketing plan tailored to their business.
- Master branding, SEO and email marketing strategies.
- Learn how to turn likes into leads.
- Discover how to integrate artificial intelligence into their marketing efforts.
- Network with entrepreneurs and leaders from across the Pioneer Valley.
General admission is $90, with a partner rate of $70 available through promotional codes provided by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, local chambers of commerce, local community development corporations, Common Capital and the Women Business Owners Alliance. Attendees who register by Oct. 10 will receive a boxed dinner included in their ticket price.
For more information or to register, visit WBOA.org/bootcamp.
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts welcomes new directors
SPRINGFIELD — Four local professionals have been appointed to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ board of directors: Sylvia Callan of Hatfield, Jessica Holloway of Feeding Hills, Traci Talbert of Springfield and Danielle Williams of Wilbraham.
“Strong partnerships are essential to building stronger communities,” Trustees Chair Karin George said in a statement. “We are honored to welcome this incredible group of individuals to our board of directors. Their knowledge and dedication will help guide the foundation as we continue advancing our work.”
Callan is a senior portfolio manager at Gage-Wiley & Co. with more than two decades of experience in investment management, spanning hedge funds, institutional investment and wealth management. Throughout her career, Callan has developed an understanding of financial markets, starting with formative internships at The Wharton School and the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Holloway joined The Jamrog Group in 2014 after working as an investment consultant at MassMutual’s corporate headquarters. As a certified financial planner, she specializes in helping high-net-worth families navigate financial decisions, offering tailored strategies in executive compensation, retirement income planning and multi-generational planning.
Talbert is an adjunct professor at Bay Path University and Cambridge College, where she teaches courses on diversity in the workplace, operations management, business leadership and business ethics. She currently serves as the racial justice community engagement director at the Greenfield-based Franklin County Community Development Corporation, where she partners with community leaders and businesses to advance racial equity by examining and reshaping policies and practices.
Williams is the presiding justice of the Holyoke District Court. She is the second woman and the first Black woman to hold this position in Holyoke. She first took office as a district court judge in 2020. Williams earned her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law. She began her legal career at the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office as a victim-witness advocate and later served as assistant clerk magistrate in the Springfield District Court. She has also served as an assistant attorney general, as an associate with the Northampton law firm of Fierst Bloomberg Ohm LLP and as an assistant district attorney in Hampden County.
Treash appointed president of Health New England
SPRINGFIELD — Michael Treash has been appointed as president of Health New England, effective Oct. 6. Treash will report directly to Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko and serve as a member of the President’s Council.
Treash, who comes to Health New England with more than three decades of leadership experience in provider-based health plans and health system integration, will oversee all operations. His responsibilities will include strategic planning, sales, product development, actuarial services, provider relations and contracting, health services and day-to-day operations.
“Mike brings a proven track record of operational excellence, innovation and consumer-focused leadership,” Banko said in a statement. “At this critical moment, his vision and expertise will accelerate Health New England’s ability to grow, deliver differentiated value, and strengthen the connection between Baystate Health and Health New England. We are thrilled to welcome him into this important role.”
Treash most recently served as chief operating officer and senior vice president at Health Alliance Plan in Detroit. His previous leadership roles include vice president of enterprise operations at Priority Health in Michigan, interim CEO of Missouri Health Care Cooperative, chief operating officer of The Outsource Group, and executive vice president and chief operating officer at Mercy Health Plans in Missouri.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in public administration from Arizona State University.
