2026 New England Society of CPAs / McLane Middleton Tax Forum

John  advises clients regarding compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, COBRA, HIPAA and other complex federal laws applicable to employee benefit plans.  John has extensive experience in helping clients assess and manage fiduciary liability and litigation risks associated with retirement and employee health and welfare plans.

Patrick is a corporate and transactional lawyer who helps clients form, grow, and sell their businesses, and works with his clients to solve challenging problems with practical solutions. Patrick works with clients in five main areas: general corporate law, healthcare law matters, mergers and acquisitions, complex contracts, and succession planning.

Christina advises clients in a variety of areas including estate planning, asset protection, estate, gift, income and generation skipping tax planning, and trust and estate administration. Christina works with individuals and families from across the economic spectrum to design and implement comprehensive and straight forward estate plans. In addition, Christina advises nonprofits and educational institutions on endowment fund and other charitable gift planning matters.

John is a director and chair of McLane Middleton’s Artificial Intelligence Practice Group. His practice includes conducting risk assessments of AI systems, advising clients concerning AI policies and best practices, and counseling clients regarding emerging legal and practical issues in AI. John also serves on the steering committee for the American Bar Association’s Artificial Intelligence & Robotics National Institute. He is the author of Robots Are People Too: How Siri, Google Car, and Artificial Intelligence Will Force Us to Change Our Laws, a contributing writer at Slate focusing on legal issues implicated by AI and autonomous devices, and a columnist for and member of the board of editors of The Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law. His current project at The Journal is an examination of the essential principles of Constitutional rights and how they apply to AI.

Amy has advised business, individuals, and tax-exempt clients on a wide variety of tax-related topics, including corporate taxation, partnership taxation, international tax and treaty issues, state and local taxation, estate planning and employee benefits.

Henry advises high-net-worth individuals, multigenerational families, business owners, executives, and fiduciaries on sophisticated wealth transfer planning.  Henry’s practice emphasizes planning that is practical to administer, preserves family wealth across generations, and reflects each family’s values and long-term vision.

Josh advises a wide range of clients—from high-net-worth individuals to businesses to nonprofits—on both tax disputes and planning.  Josh resolves tax disputes with the IRS and state tax authorities in audits, appeals, collections, and beyond.  He helps clients navigate complex tax planning, including issues such as: qualified small business stock and founder exits, generational planning with closely held business interests, state taxation and changing state tax domicile, partnership taxation and carried interest, mergers & acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, charitable giving, and creating and operating tax-exempt organizations.

Lawrence Gagnon is Revenue Counsel for the NH Department of Revenue Administration, advising the Department on all tax and legal matters. He is a licensed attorney in NH and MA as well as a Certified Public Accountant (MA).

Fred is the director of the Audit Division of the Department of Revenue Administration in Concord, NH. Before he was Audit Director, he served as general counsel. Prior to state service, Fred worked in private practice, primarily in the areas of tax, corporate and environmental law, with a particular focus on renewable and alternative energy. He was previously chair of both the Taxation Section and the Corporation, Business & Banking Law Section of the NH Bar Association. Fred previously served in various officer and director roles in the American Red Cross, most recently as vice chair of the NH/VT Region, and was a cofounder and vice president of Concord 250. He earned his B.A. in economics from UNH and his J.D. from Syracuse University.

Mitchell is a referring advisor at TSWM Advisory Group. Mitch began his career with Tyler, Simms & St. Sauveur CPA’s P.C. in 2012, and his dedication and expertise lead to him becoming a partner in 2022. Within the firm, he has emerged as one of the prominent leaders in the automotive retail niche, specializing in various aspects of dealership operations. His areas of expertise encompass audit and attest services, tax planning and preparation, consulting, and mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on franchise and independent dealerships. His comprehensive understanding of the automotive industry enables him to provide valuable insights and guidance to his clients. Mitchell is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also associated with Auto Team America and is involved with both the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Beyond his professional involvements, Mitchell Stagnone contributes to his community through his service on the board of the Valley Court Diversion Program and the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association Education board. These roles demonstrate his commitment to making a positive impact beyond his professional endeavors.

Paige Yeater serves as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Mainstay Technologies, where she’s responsible for building a high-performing business rooted in operational excellence and infused with cybersecurity at every level. Under her leadership, security is not just a function, it’s part of the company’s DNA. With a career rooted in intentional growth and driven by a personal philosophy that leadership is about unlocking potential in others, Paige fosters a culture where growth, trust, and even failing forward are welcomed as part of the journey. Her career has been shaped by a willingness to take smart risks, seek out continuous learning, and leave every team, project, and process better than she found it.

Paige holds an MBA from The Citadel, is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and is a Registered Practitioner (RP) through the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB). She was the 2021 NHTA Tech Professional of the Year, and is a 2022 graduate of Leadership NH. Beyond her executive roles, Paige serves on the board of the NH Tech Alliance and is the Board Chair for Leveling the Fields. Her most cherished role, however, is being a mom to two teenagers who inspire her daily.

Lauren is a senior manager in BNN’s Business and Technology Advisory Practice. She brings nearly two decades of operations management experience for the healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain industries, with a strong focus on aligning business strategy, technology, and execution to drive measurable results. Lauren partners closely with executive and operational leaders at client organizations on complex initiatives that are delivered on time, within scope, and with sustainable value. She has significant experience leading system selection and implementation projects, helping organizations identify the right solutions to support scalability, efficiency, and long-term business goals. Her work frequently includes integrating enterprise systems and related technologies to improve data flow, operational visibility, and overall organizational performance. She supports clients with business strategy development, project and program management, vendor and contract negotiations, business and operational assessments, process redesign, technology strategy, and governance structure.