John Anthony Simmons, Sr., Esquire

Founding Member, Partner

John Anthony started his legal career as a prosecutor and has been in private practice since 1999, during which time he has served as Town Counsel as part of his practice. His practice primarily includes most civil litigation, divorce/post-divorce, contracts, criminal defense and estate planning. Attorney Simmons is admitted to practice in New Hampshire and to the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire.

Attorney Simmons says,“I believe knowing about my clients as people first helps me to understand how to give them advice. You will find me asking questions that probe further as to why you are asking for help. Once I have a firm handle on what you believe your needs are, I can then fill in the entire picture by explaining the legal landscape for you.”

Attorney Simmons is a staunch defender of parental rights.  John Anthony is an Allied Attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, formerly the Alliance Defense Fund. He has been fortunate since attending their National Litigation Academy in 2007 to have been involved in various projects defending street preachers, parents denied equal rights by the public school system and home school parents whose rights have been abused to name a few.

John Anthony has served in elected and appointed office, including the New Hampshire House of Representatives, North Hampton Zoning Board, Sexually Oriented Businesses Sub-Committee of the North Hampton Planning Board, and North Hampton Budget Committee.

He is a graduate of UNH (with a B.A. in Spanish and International Affairs) and Regent University (with a Master of Arts in Public Policy). He received his Juris Doctor from Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, NH.

He and his beautiful bride enjoy raising their children in his childhood home. He is passionate about people, his country, travel and good food.

Michael J. Ortlieb, Esquire

Partner

I began the practice of law in New Hampshire after having graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School in 2006. While in law school I received several academic awards, including the Distinguished Oral Advocate Award. While in school, I worked full-time as a paralegal for Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin, one of New Hampshire’s oldest law firms.

After receiving my juris doctor, I worked as a contract attorney in Boston before joining John Anthony Simmons, PLLC in 2008. I became a partner in the firm in 2012.

The breadth of my legal experience has given me valuable insight into all aspects of client representation and efficient law firm operations.

I pride myself on speaking plainly with my clients, explaining the legal issues facing them in English, not legalese, so they can understand their choices and make informed decisions, including them in every step along the way. I provide my clients with an honest analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of their case, even when it is difficult for them to hear. I make myself available to my clients as much as possible.

I am persistent and fight zealously for my clients, particularly those who have been wronged by big business or chewed up by the system. As a litigator, I enjoy passionately advocating for my clients’ rights, whether to a judge, jury or administrative panel. While litigation is sometimes necessary, I also know when mediation or arbitration is the correct path to victory for my clients.

My core practice areas include civil litigation (including personal injury), family law (divorce, child support and alimony, custody and parental rights cases, adoption, guardianships), landlord-tenant, estate planning (Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney), criminal record annulments (clears criminal record).

I am admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire. I am a member of the New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bar Associations. In 2013, I was chosen to participate in the New Hampshire Bar Leadership Academy, a select group chosen by the Bar to promote and encourage leadership and professionalism by identifying present and future leaders of the New Hampshire Bar. Prior to attending law school, I received a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A in Behavioral Science, both with High Honors from Cedarville University in 1992, and was included in the 1992 Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

I grew up outside of Milwaukee and have been a New Hampshire resident since 1993. I currently live in Dover with my wife, five children and Bernese Mountain Dog.