Petar M. Leonard

by Mike DeBlasi | May 1, 2019 6:00 am

Petar has focused his practice almost exclusively on domestic relations since graduating from law school.  He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for Family Law each year since 2015. Petar’s practice combines impeccable client service with a pragmatic, results-driven mindset to achieve client goals effectively and efficiently.  Petar has successfully represented clients in cases with issues spanning the domestic relations spectrum, including divorce, legal separation, parenting, alimony, child support, guardianship, relocation, enforcement, and modification.

Petar employs a variety of alternative dispute resolution methods in his cases, including settlement conferences, mediation, Neutral Case Evaluation, and collaborative law, which often lend themselves to more creative, amicable, and “out-of-the-box” resolutions than traditional litigation.  However, Petar also appreciates not all cases are able to be resolved out of court.  When a matter cannot be resolved by agreement, Petar draws from his extensive courtroom experience to achieve his clients’ goals through the litigation process.

Since graduating from law school, Petar has been an active member of both the New Hampshire Bar Association and New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association.  Petar chaired the NHBA Family Law Section, an elected position from May 2017-May 2019.  In addition to serving on the NHBA CLE (“continuing legal education”) committee for several years, and presenting at and/or chairing multiple CLEs on family law topics; he has also authored a variety of family law articles for the New Hampshire Bar News.  Petar serves on the Granite United Way Merrimack County Campaign Cabinet and the New Hampshire Collaborative Law Alliance. He also serves as an adjunct family law professor for the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program, a position he has held since February 2014.

Petar obtained his J.D. from the University of New Hampshire School of Law, graduating in the top 15% of his class.  Petar is also a graduate of the nationally-renowned Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program.  During law school, Petar served as a judicial intern to a Circuit Court judge, and as a judicial extern to Senior Associate Justice Gary E. Hicks, of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. He also served as vice president for the Student Body Association.

Hobbies

Having grown up in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Petar is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, sailing, climbing, kayaking, snowboarding, wakeboarding, and cross-country skiing.

Professional and Community Involvement

Professional Involvement

• Member of the New Hampshire Collaborative Law Alliance Board
• Adjunct Family Law Professor at University of New Hampshire School of Law (Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program Miniseries)
• Member of the New Hampshire Bar Association (NHBA) and the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association
• Past Chair of the NHBA Family Law Section

Community Involvement

• Granite United Way Merrimack County Campaign Cabinet
• Concord Young Professionals Network Steering Committee
• Member of the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club
• Past member of the NHBA CLE and Micro-CLE Committee

Honors & Distinctions

• Selected as “Rising Star” for Family Law in Super Lawyers: (2015-present)
• Graduate of the Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program

Publications

• Active Author for Orr & Reno Family Law Blog[1]
• “A Review of Family Division Rule 1.25-A in Action.” Published in NH Bar News, November 16, 2016.
• “Postnuptial Agreements: A New Frontier in the World of Marital Contracts.” Published by NHBA CLE, May 15, 2015.
• “De Facto Divorce? Potential Limitations of Postnuptial Agreements,” co-authored with Heather Krans. Published in NH Bar News, November 19, 2014.
• “Defining ‘Gross Income’ for Child Support Calculations Presents Challenges,” co-authored with Heather Krans. Published in NH Bar News, November 15, 2013.

Source URL: https://orr-reno.com/our-people/petar-leonard/

---