Legal Team
Attorney Alan B. Almeida
Alan B. Almeida is a partner at Connor & Hilliard, P.C., where his practice focuses on tax law, corporate and business transactions, real estate, estate planning, elder law, and business-related litigation. With decades of legal experience, he advises individuals and businesses on complex legal and financial matters, helping clients structure transactions and plans that are both practical and tax-efficient.
Attorney Almeida has been admitted to practice law in Massachusetts since 1981 and joined Connor & Hilliard in 1984. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the United States Tax Court. Over the course of more than 37 years as a member of the Massachusetts Bar, he has developed extensive trial and appellate experience.
Attorney Almeida earned his bachelor's degree from the Boston University School of Management in 1978. He received his J.D., with High Distinction, from The John Marshall Law School in 1981 and an LL.M. in Taxation from the Boston University School of Law in 1982. His advanced training in taxation, combined with decades of practice, allows him to carefully evaluate the tax implications of business transactions and estate planning strategies.
Attorney Brian C. Almeida
Brian C. Almeida is a partner at Connor & Hilliard, P.C. Attorney Brian Almedia graduated summa cum laude from Roger Williams University in 2014. He was accepted to Roger Williams University School of Law a year early, where he graduated third in his class and earned his J.D., summa cum laude.
During law school, Attorney Almeida received ten CALI Excellence for the Future Awards, recognizing the top-performing student in a course. His awards included Contract Law, Property Law, Estate Planning & Drafting, Elder Law, Evidence, Senior Abuse and Neglect, and Massachusetts Civil Practice.
Since becoming a member of the Massachusetts Bar in November 2016, Attorney Almeida’s practice has focused on civil litigation at the Superior Court level, primarily involving business-related litigation and zoning appeals.
His appellate work spans several of the firm’s practice areas. He has co-authored numerous appellate briefs submitted to the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Attorney Almeida is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Attorney Michael T. Porter
Michael T. Porter is a partner at Connor & Hilliard, P.C. Attorney Porter received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1987 and his J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law in 1994 with Honors.
Prior to joining Connor & Hilliard in 2000, Attorney Porter served as Assistant General Counsel in the Department of Mental Health.
His practice is concentrated in mental health law, where he represents both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric units in matters including guardianships, civil commitments, and risk management.
Attorney Porter’s appellate practice also focuses exclusively on mental health law. He has extensive experience drafting appellate briefs and representing clients in oral arguments at all levels of appellate courts in Massachusetts, including appearances before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and two appearances as lead counsel before the SJC.
Attorney Melinda J. Kwart
Attorney Melinda J. Kwart was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1979 and earned her J.D., with high honors, from Duke University School of Law in 1983.
Following law school, Attorney Kwart clerked for a justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. She then served as an assistant professor of business law at the University of Delaware in the College of Business and Economics.
Attorney Kwart began actively practicing law in 1989 in Rhode Island and soon joined a law firm in Boston, Massachusetts. Since that time, she has practiced with firms of all sizes in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, concentrating in the areas of trusts and estates and business law.
In 2002, Attorney Kwart earned an LL.M. in Taxation from the graduate tax program at Boston University School of Law.
Attorney Kwart is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Delaware, and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts in those states. She currently serves on the Planning Board for the City of Attleboro.
Attorney Sydnee R. Grosberg
Attorney Sydnee R. Grosberg received her bachelor’s degrees in Public Administration and Spanish from James Madison University in 2007. She earned her J.D. from the Southern New England School of Law in 2010, now known as the University of Massachusetts School of Law at Dartmouth.
Prior to joining Connor & Hilliard, P.C. in 2022, Attorney Grosberg gained more than ten years of legal experience practicing in the areas of Immigration Law, Social Security Disability Insurance, Family Law, and Criminal Law. She also served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
At Connor & Hilliard, Attorney Grosberg practices mental health litigation in District Courts throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Her practice also includes estate planning, civil litigation, and employment law.
Attorney Gregory Noble
Gregory Noble is an attorney at Connor & Hilliard, P.C., where his practice focuses primarily on litigation. He represents clients in civil matters, bringing extensive courtroom experience and a strategic, results-driven approach to every case.
Greg graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2008 and earned his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School in 2011. He began his legal career as a prosecutor with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, where he developed strong trial skills and a deep understanding of courtroom advocacy.
Throughout his career, Greg has built a reputation for thorough preparation and persuasive advocacy, both inside and outside the courtroom. He is admitted to practice in the District and Superior Courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Outside of his practice, Greg enjoys spending time with his three children and playing golf.
Attorney Leah Hamilton
Leah is an attorney at Connor & Hilliard, P.C. A tireless advocate with experience spanning diverse practice areas, she is eager to find solutions to all of your legal needs.
Prior to her current role, Leah has worked in real estate law, civil litigation, mass torts and products liability, estate planning and administration, and healthcare law. Most recently, she represented major financial institutions and mortgage lenders in real estate litigation in Maryland. She is a talented legal writer and has authored a broad range of briefs and legal documents. During law school, she served as a Senior Articles Editor on the executive board of the Administrative Law Review and clerked at an estate planning firm in Maryland. Before her legal career, she worked in legislative affairs for a healthcare nonprofit in Washington, DC.
Leah earned her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law in 2022 and her B.S. in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences from George Washington University in 2017. She is Certified in Healthcare Compliance. Outside of work, she can be found reading, baking, or spending time with her family, and she is passionate about rescuing senior dogs.
** At this time, Leah is admitted to practice law in Maryland only.
In Memoriam: Attorney James T. Hilliard (1943–2022)
Attorney James T. Hilliard was a respected leader in Massachusetts mental health law, whose career spanned public service, private practice, and academia. After earning his J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law, he served in key roles within Massachusetts state government before co-founding Connor & Hilliard, P.C. in 1978. A prolific author and educator, he co-authored The Essentials of Massachusetts Mental Health Law and contributed extensively to the field through numerous publications and his role as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (Legal Medicine) at Harvard Medical School. His lasting impact is reflected in his dedication to advancing mental health law and mentoring future professionals.